Talbot Hotel J.F.C. (A)
Fighting Cocks 2-11 Tinryland 0-7
The Fighting Cocks opened their Talbot Hotel J.F.C. (A) campaign with a comfortable win against the home side and their near neighbours in Rathcrogue on Saturday evening.
The opening quarter of this game was fairly evenly contested with the men in blue and white holding their own against the eventual winners and last year’s Co. finallists.
Conall O’Shea who did most of the scoring for Tinryland opened his team’s account with a converted free after 2 minutes before Ruairi Nevin levelled matters for the Rathoe Parish side 4 minutes later.
Tinryland were forced to make a substitution as early as the 12th minute when Jody Doyle-Hutton replaced veteran Keith Jackson. Tinryland continued to cause the Cocks problems at this stage with another O’Shea point from a dead ball before Billy Nolan replied for the Cocks. Conall O’Shea who had his shooting boots on at this stage regained the Tinryland lead with a long range free and when he repeated the act in the 21st minute after a foul on Cian Nicholl Tinryland supporters began to dream that a shock might be on. The Cocks then began to wake up from their slumbers and Tinryland defender Adam Fennelly and goalkeeper Ciaran Byrne had to pull off double saves to prevent a Cocks goal which was eventually deflected north of the crossbar.
The Fighting Cocks were in full flow now and two points from Alan Quigley and Ruairi Nevin were quickly followed by the opening goal of the game from Alex Gordon after great play by his centre forward team mate Glenn O’Rourke. The first half scoring was completed by Jamie Walker with a well taken Tinryland point after good work from Cian Nicholl, Gregg Murphy and Sean Murphy.
Half time score Fighting Cocks 1-5 Tinryland 0-5
When referee Lar Murphy re-started proceedings Tinryland had introduced Eoghan Hosey into the action but it was The Cocks who drew first blood with an Alan Quigley point quickly followed by two more minors from D.J. Sinnott and Alan Quigley from a dead ball. Alan Barrett for Tinryland and Jack McDonald for the Cocks were then introduced into the fray as the Cocks upped the ante in a big way. An Alex Gordon point was quickly followed by a goal from Alan Quigley after a Tinryland defensive error. Both sides then began to empty their benches with the Cocks bringing on Conor Ruane, Niall Fitzpatrick, Cian O’Byrne and veteran Mattie Dowling. Tinryland also introduced Keelan Quigley nephew of the Cocks Alan into the action together with Brian McGrath but the game meandered to its inevitable conclusion which saw further Cocks points from Alan Quigley and Billy Nolan with Conall O’Shea and Jody Doyle-Hutton closing the Tinryland account.
Fighting Cocks: Darragh Byrne, Matthew English-Hayden, Eoin O’Byrne, James Hickey, Alex Gordon 1-1, Garry Nolan, Billy Molloy, Liam Sheppard, Trevor Watchorn, Dylan Townsend, Glenn O’Rourke, Billy Nolan 0-2, Ruairi Nevin 0-2, D.J. Sinnott 0-2, Alan Quigley 1-4. Subs: Jack McDonald, Matty Dowling, Conor Ruane, Niall Fitzpatrick, Cian O’Byrne.
Tinryland: Ciaran Byrne, Adam Fennelly, Adam Mullen, Conall McGuire, Jamie Walker 0-1, Padraig Townsend, Sean Murphy, Gregg Murphy, Luke Broderick, Conall O’Shea 0-5, Keith Jackson, Cian Nicholl, Alex Farrell, Bobby Doyle, Seamus McCullough. Subs: Jody Doyle-Hutton 0-1, Eoghan Hosey, Alan Barrett, Keelan Quigley and Brian McGrath.
Referee Lar Murphy
