Sean O’Mahony’s/Na Piarsaigh/Dowdallshill/Dundalk Young Irelands 4-7 Roche Emmets 2-9

The U15 boys suffered last quarter agony on the Point Road on Monday night as they began their championship campaign with a defeat.

Having led for the majority of the contest, the concession of three goals proved decisive in the Dundalk combination’s favour.

Playing with the aid of the breeze, Roche led 1-4 to 1-3 at the interval – two late frees by Andrew McArdle turning the deficit around to put the boys in blue in front.

Emmets had led 1-2 to a single point following Luca Craig-Haye’s impressive penalty conversion, following a foul on McArdle, though some slack defending cost a goal at the other end, allowing Sean O’Mahony’s/Na Piarsaigh/Dowdallshill/Dundalk Young Irelands to draw level.

Despite being ahead at halfway, Roche rued the passing up of further goal chances and record of five wides, although a strong start to the second period saw the visitors extend the gap to two – substitute Ronan Bradley and Cathal Corcoran hitting the target.

Bradley subsequently lifted the net, while Corcoran, McArdle and Seán Conlon knocked over. But amid these scores, the hosts struck for 3-3 to prevail.

Roche: Ciarán Levins; Robert Keenan, Criomhthann McGahon, Donagh Conlon; Conor Litchfield, Luca Craig-Haye (1-1, 1-0 penalty), Seán O’Donnell; Josh McGuinness, James Corcoran; Carl Meegan, Seán Conlon (0-1), Jake Connolly; Cathal Corcoran (0-2), Andrew McArdle (0-4, three frees), Liam McCabe

Subs: Ronan Bradley (1-1), Kyle Callan, Conor Clarke, Lee Casey, Adam McGuinness

Referee: John Crawley (St. Kevin’s)