Picture after the round one win over St. Bride's

Roche Emmets 3-9 St. Mochta’s 4-11

A late show from St. Mochta’s sent Roche U13s to defeat in the championship at Páirc de Róiste on Wednesday night.

It was a thrilling encounter, played before a large crowd, and one which Emmets led for practically its entirety, including at half-time when ahead 3-4 to 1-6.

However, minus six key players – Niall Connolly, Lee Casey, Conor Clarke, Jack Murphy, Dean Griffin and Conor Douglas – the boys in blue were unable to finish the game as strongly as they had started, conceding goals in quick succession.

While the ball fell kindly for the visitors in front of the target, including at the death with an insurance three-pointer, Roche rattled the woodwork on a few occasions with the net at a player’s mercy as fate went against the home side.

Still, with Peter McArdle in sublime scoring form, registering 1-4 in the first half, Emmets always had a lively outlet. Bernard Verbeek also found the net with a looping effort, with Brooklyn Taaffe capitalising on a good move to raise a green flag too.

Emmets defended resiliently for long periods and when Liam McCabe converted two sublime 45s, along with a free, and Adam McGuinness scored a wonderful point from the acutest of angles, it looked as though Roche were going to give themselves a championship lifeline.

However, momentum started to shift and with Mochta’s finishing the stronger in the heat, they shaded a hugely competitive game.

Roche: James Curtis; Cian Ellis, Ruairí O’Donnell; Adam McGuinness (0-1), Ronan Grant, Donal Bradley; Shay Carolan, Kyle Callan; Peter McArdle (1-4), Brooklyn Taaffe (1-0), JJ McArdle; Bernard Verbeek (1-0), Liam McCabe (0-4, two 45s & two frees)

Subs: Karl Reilly, Seán Conlon, Seán McEneaney, Paul Reilly

Referee: Cathal O’Brien (Geraldines)