A NUMBER OF INTER-county football teams shook off the cobwebs to return to action for the first time this year yesterday.
In Leinster, the O’Byrne Cup served up several first round ties, including reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin’s meeting with Carlow at Dr Cullen Park.
With the scores level going into the final quarter, Pat Gilroy’s men took control – scoring eight points without reply before Carlow’s Darragh Foley sent one over in stoppage time in a 0-17 to 0-10 win.
Dublin’s Paul Brogan gains possession ahead of Ed Finnegan of Carlow as the All-Ireland champions began their 2012 campaign with a win. Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
Rivals Meath got underway in similar fashion with a three-point victory over Wexford at Pairc Tailteann. The Royals will take on neighbours Louth in the next round after a 1-13 to 1-10 scoreline.
Full-forward Tom Walsh grabbed himself 1-3 on the day and it was his goal after 50 minutes which proved decisive before the sides exchanged points through Adrian Flynn and Paudie Kelly.
Wexford wing-back Lee Chin challenges Meath forward Donnacha Tobin at Pairc Tailteann. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Elsewhere in Leinster, Kildare began their defence with a comfortable 2-11 to 0-9 win over DIT at St Conleth’s Park. The Lilywhites took an eight point lead into the half-time break thanks to goals from Padraig O’Neill and Ronan Sweeney.
Eight of DIT’s nine scores came from frees, with the other one arriving through subsitute David Shatwell, and their forward line struggled to penetrate the Kildare defence. Kieran McGeeney’s men meet Offaly next Sunday after they overcame Westmeath 3-6 to 0-7.
Wicklow took on DCU in Baltinglass and and went down to a single score despite the students having two players sent off. The son of Dublin legend Barney Rock, Dean, contributed with nine points while Eoghan O’Gara, sporting a new haircut, scored one.
Longford finished strongly to beat Athlone IT by a point, while UCD saw off Laois with Donie Kingston scoring six points against his native county.
In Ulster, Down were comprehensive winners over an inexperienced Armagh team in front of 6,000 spectators at Pairc Esler, Newry.
Falling five points behind early on, the Orchard men never managed to get a hold on the game and were completely overran in the Dr Kenna Cup Section B, Round 1.
Peter Canavan kicked off his inter-county managerial career with an excellent win over Antrim in Enniskillen.
Seamus Quigley proved the main threat to Antrim, clocking up 1-8 en route to their 2-11 to 1-6 win.
New Fermanagh manager Peter Canavan gives out instructions at Brewster Park, Enniskillen yesterday. Pic: INPHO/Presseye/Andrew Paton
The other results in Ulster are as follows:
Queens University Belfast 1-5 Tyrone 1-13
Fermanagh 2-11 Antrim 1-6
St Mary’s University College 0-6 Monaghan 0-14
Derry 0-13 Cavan 0-12, Celtic Park
Donegal 0-9 University of Ulster Jordanstown 0-11
Galway suffered defeat at the hands of NUIG in Connacht, with the students winning out by a goal at Tuam Stadium.
Manager Alan Mulholland decided to field an experimental team for the match and suffered as a result as a goal from substitute Ian Galvin gave the students the upper hand.
Sligo strolled to victory with a ten-point win over London at Kent Park, Ballydoogan.
Forwards James Hynes and Colm McGee chipped in with over half of Sligo’s scores as as London struggled to stay in touch throughout.
Mayo’s Conor Mortimer returned from nearly a year on the sidelines to help this county to a 0-10 to 0-6 victory over Leitrim.
The forward had major knee surgery last February but helped himself to two points yesterday after being introduced just before the 40-minute mark.
Meanwhile, Roscommon nicked a draw with GMIT in Des Newton’s first match in charge in Ballyforan.
LIT’s Daniel Heffernan looks dejected as he walks off the Clonmel Sportsfield, Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Finally, in Munster, LIT lost out by two points as Tipperary progressed to the McGrath Cup quarter-finals.
The introduction of Barry Grogan proved crucial as he clocked up four points to give his team the upper hand.
Clare ran out clear winners in Doonbeg with a 10-point advantage over UL, while Waterford went down to Tralee 0-14 to 2-14 at WIT Sportsgrounds.
