Roche Emmets 3-5 Kilkerley Emmets/Naomh Malachi 4-6

The U12 boys lost their first league match, at home to Kilkerley Emmets/Naomh Malachi on Saturday evening, with a poor start proving very costly.

Having let in two goals during the first quarter, Roche were always chasing the game, despite the hugely impressive Zachary Connolly hitting the net in response.

The visitors led 3-5 to 2-2 at the interval, Shay Carolan contributing 1-1 from midfield for the boys in blue. But had Peter McArdle’s stab towards goal not been turned off the line, the gap would have been even closer.

Roche dictated the terms of the second half, but with players being run in and out (the away side lined out their bare XV), it was difficult to maintain a consistent rhythm. And the comeback effort wasn’t helped by the slack concession of major number four.

Paul Reilly’s poke to the net gave Roche hope, but in a feisty game, time ran out for the battling boys in blue.

Dermot Gernon, James Curtis, Jack Murphy, Connolly and Karl Reilly were among the best performers for Roche.

Roche: Dermot Gernon, James Curtis, Seán McEneaney, Conor Douglas, Jack Murphy (0-1), JJ McArdle, Shay Carolan (1-2), Adam McGuinness, Karl Reilly, Harry Treacy (0-1), Zachary Connolly (1-1), Mark Daly, Peter McArdle, Paul Reilly (1-0), Rory Sheridan, Eoin Kilkenny, Ferdia McEvoy, Gerry Kirk

Referee: Stephen Yore (Naomh Moninne)