THERE WERE plenty other inter-county games on around the country today as teams began the process of shaking off the winter cobwebs and commencing the 2016 season
McGrath Cup
A late goal by Kieran Malone delivered glory for Clare against Tipperary in Miltown Malbay by 1-10 to 1-9. Tipperary had been in front by 1-6 to 0-4 at the break with last year’s U21 star Kevin O’Halloran netting. But victory was snatched from them in the closing stages.
O’Byrne Cup
New Kildare boss Cian O’Neill saw his team claim an impressive opening day win over DIT in Newbridge by 0-24 to 1-7. Adam Tyrrell was the scoring star with 0-9 as they ran out victors by 14 points in the Group B tie in St Conleth’s Park. In the same group Offaly prevailed by a point, 0-13 to 1-9, away to Louth in Darver.
In Group C, Meath were extremely comfortable winners by 1-18 to 1-4 against Carlow in Netwatch Cullen Park. It was a tighter affair at Park Ratheniska but Laois held on at home to beat UCD by 1-10 to 1-9.
In Group D, Westmeath ran out four point winners by 1-14 to 0-13 in Blessington against Wicklow. While it finished 0-18 to 1-9 in favour of Longford at home to Maynooth University.
Finally in Group A, DCU were comprehensive 3-20 to 2-6 victors against IT Carlow.
FBD League
In Connacht, Galway’s ability to score goals helped them see off Sligo by 2-9 to 0-12 at Tuam Stadium. Damien Comer and Enda Tierney raised the green flags for Kevin Walsh’s men.
New Roscommon manager Kevin McStay saw his charges claim an emphatic 1-20 to 0-10 win over IT Sligo while Leitrim cruised past GMIT by 3-16 to 1-6.
Dr McKenna Cup
Tyrone’s bid to land a fifth successive Dr McKenna Cup title got off to a fine start with a 3-17 to 0-11 victory over Queen’s University. Ronan O’Neill, Jonathan Monroe and Conor McAliskey all fired goals for the Red Hands in Omagh.
Frank McGlynn hit the only goal of the game in Ballybofey as Donegal defeated Down by 1-11 to 0-11. Derry raised four green flags en route to their 4-16 to 2-12 success against Antrim in Owenbeg.
Third-level side Jordanstown were comprehensive victors by 2-16 to 1-9 against Monaghan in Clones while Cavan dislodged Armagh by 2-8 to 0-11 in Crossmaglen.
There was one game that fell foul of the weather today with the Group B clash between Fermanagh and St Mary’s postponed. It has now been rescheduled for next Wednesday night in Enniskillen.
Walsh Cup
Offaly were far too strong for Dublin IT under the watching eyes of new boss Eamonn Kelly as they triumphed by 4-28 to 0-10 in Tullamore. Carlow had three points to spare over Meath by 0-19 to 1-13 and there was the same margin seperating Westmeath and DCU with the former winning 2-20 to 2-17.
