Roche 1-9 Hunterstown 2-18
Emmets completed their Division Two campaign with their heaviest defeat as a slick Hunterstown outfit replaced Paul Grier’s charges at the league’s summit.
A fourth loss of the programme means Roche finish with 14 points – the club’s joint-best tally in the second tier since losing senior status in 2006.
Nonetheless, it was a disappointing way to finish given the boys in blue never got going – Hunterstown were entirely dominant from start-to-finish.
Ryan Burns gave an exhibition at full-forward for Rovers, missing the target just once, and with evident method to their play, the perfect conditions allowed them to piece together some glorious moves.
They were already clear by the time Mark Byrne opened Emmets’ account with a fine effort, but with Roche confined to Barry O’Hare frees for the remainder of the first half, Hunterstown pressed ahead – Burns shooting some fabulous points, including one with the outside of his left from along the left wing.
Trailing 1-12 to 0-5 at half-time, Roche did start the second period more brightly and had a drive by O’Hare been spilled kindlier by Rovers goalkeeper Niall Carrie, the gap may have been down to six at a crucial stage.
As it transpired, the hosts did get their goal when after David O’Connell was fouled on his way through, O’Hare sent the ball to the corner of the net.
But in their next attack, Hunterstown got the three-pointer back as Emmets’ defence parted.
Not a desirable outcome as a potential league title drifted away, though Roche must now prepare for the intermediate championship and a clash with St. Fechin’s in a fortnight’s time.
Roche: Evin Quigley; Gerard Browne, Peter Lynch, Harry O’Connell; Andrew Carroll, James McDonnell, Caoimhín Reilly; Dan O’Connell, Martin Carroll; David O’Connell, Liam Carthy, Eugene Murray; Mark Byrne (0-1), Barry O’Hare (1-5, 1-0 pen & frees), Glen Stewart (0-1)
Subs: Shane Byrne (0-2) for Murray, Robert Mackin for Carthy, Mikey McCourt for David O’Connell
Referee: David Loughran (St. Patrick’s)
