Group C
Offaly and Westmeath lead the way in this group after the opening round of matches yesterday afternoon.
In O’Connor Park in Tullamore, new Offaly boss Emmett McDonnell watched on as his team got the better of Laois by 1-11 to 1-8.
Rhode attacker Niall McNamee was their figurehead in the scoring department as he shot over eight points to enable Offaly to triumph.
Offaly enjoyed a 1-7 to 1-3 lead at half-time. Laois had got an early fillip when David Murphy found the net but the Faithful county hit back through McNamee’s point-taking and a goal from Paul McPadden on his senior debut.
MJ Tierney attempted to propel Laois back into contention on the scoreboard yet Offaly held on for success despite McNamee missing a penalty.
Westmeath had matters much their own way in Moate against Athlone IT with the final score reading 1-22 to 0-13 in their favor. Westmeath lead by 1-12 to 0-6 at the interval with Denis Glennon striking their goal and Dessie Dolan also in good point-scoring form.
Westmeath maintained their dominance in the second-half with Glennon and Dolan continuing to sparkle and they could even afford a missed penalty from Paul Bannon.
The action in Group C continues on Wednesday night with Offaly meeting Athlone IT in Gracefield while Laois square off against Westmeath in O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.
Wexford’s PJ Banville with Mark Collins of DIT. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Group D
The students of Dublin IT warmed up for their Sigerson Cup campaign by enjoying a successful trip to the South-East yesterday. They face a Wexford side, who were guided by new boss Aidan O’Brien for the first time, and were victorious by 1-15 to 1-11 in Bellefield in Enniscorthy.
Wexford made the early running to lead by 1-7 to 0-5 at the interval with PJ Banville striking home their goal and Adrian Flynn chipping in with some points.
However Dublin IT took over in the second-half with Mayo’s Jason Doherty and Offaly’s Bernard Allen firing over points and Cork senior Mark Collins smashed home a goal from a penalty as they ran out four-point winners.
In the other clash in this group, Kildare were nine-point victors over Carlow IT in Newbridge.
Kieran McGeeney’s side lead by 0-7 to 0-2 at half-time before Rob Kelly added the second-half goal that helped shape a 1-13 to 0-7 success.
On Wednesday night, Wexford will entertain Carlow IT in Bunclody while Kildare clash with Dublin IT in Athy.
