Coolaney/Mullinabreena & Calry/St Josephs started their Senior Football Campaign in Ransboro on Sunday evening at 4pm, after a minutes silence was held in respect of the late Brendan Leonards sister passing in the UK. Both sides were looking fresh and ready for action with Calry/St Josephs sporting a black jersey. It was eerie in the park with so little spectators

Coolaney/Mullinabreena kicked off the first half with two early points gained from two frees. Calry/St Josephs responded shortly after with a point from Eoin Doherty. These were the only points up to the new water break; Barry Gorman who had a good starting 17 minutes limped off and was replaced by Anthony Walsh. Play resumed with Griffiths pointing a score for Calry/St Josephs, equalising the teams briefly.

Coolaney/Mullinabreena led the game briefly with a point from a free. Damian O’Boyle got a pass from Johnny McGoldrick and equalising the sides again. Before half time, Calry/St Josephs lead the match when Eoin Doherty pointing a free.

At half time Coolaney/Mullinabreena 0-3 Calry/St Josephs 0-4, it was hard to call who would finish ahead; Coolaney/Mullinabreena had 4 chances missed in the first half, Calry/St Josephs had only one wide. Kieran Gorman replaced Darren Coleman at half time, no changes on the Calry/St Josephs team

 Each side had a wide in the opening of the second half; Calry/St Josephs upped their lead with a nice point from play by Conor Griffiths

Edna Kivlehan sent over a great point for Coolaney/Mullinabreena, Gavin Gorman brought it to 1 point difference after converting a free. Calry/St Josephs went one ahead after a good point by Darragh Cummins who was causing a lot of headaches for Coolaney/Mullinabreena. Just before the second half water break Kieran Gorman missed a goal chance. It was still all to play for; Kevin O’Kennedy replaced Declan McCormack and game restarted with a great goal from Gavin Gorman. Calry/St Josephs responded well with Conor Griffiths putting the ball into the back of the net. Coolaney/Mullinabreena 1-5, Calry/St Josephs 1-7

Tensions were high shortly after David Barrett Coolaney/Mullinabreena received a red card. Calry/St Josephs received a free and Eoin Doherty added another point to their score line. Coolaney/Mullinabreena kept close with a converted free from Gavin Gorman and his brother Kieran scoring from play to be within a one point deficit.

Although the Coolaney/Mullinabreena tribe worked hard with  the Gorman Brothers, their cousin Sean Gorman, Enda Kivlehan , the Connolly’s and Shane O’Brien performing well throughout the game.

Calry/St Josephs was not going to concede easily to the South Sligo side with a point from Darragh Cummins, Paddy Wolfe who had replaced Eoin Doherty scored Calry/St Josephs second goal of the game. Damian O’Boyle ended the game with one last point.

Calry/St Joseph’s collected the points from their Group Two with their strong finish and great match contributions from both Cummins brothers, Johnny McGoldrick, Damien O’Boyle, Conor Griffins and Eoin O’Doherty

David Cummins’ side ended as 2-10 to 1-7 winners in Ransboro.

Coolaney-Mullinabreena: Ryan McAuley, Aidan Coleman, David Barrett, Stephen Barrett, Nathan Mullen, Ray Connolly, Enda Kivlehan(1), Declan McCormack, Sean Gorman, Stephen Connolly, Gavin Gorman(1-4F), Niall Connolly, Shane O’Brien, Barry Gorman(1F), Darren Coleman. 

Subs: Anthony Walsh for Barry Gorman, Kieran Gorman (0-1) for Darren Coleman, Conor McCormack for Aidan Coleman

Calry/St Josephs: Bryan McGovern, Danny Keown, Conor McGovern, Brian Shannon, Johnny McGoldrick, Brian Cox, Brian Callaghan, Adrian Cummins, Damian O’Boyle(0-1), Ronan Cox, Darragh Cummins(0-3), Conor Stenson, Aaron Flynn, Conor Griffin(1-2), Eoin Doherty (0-4, (2F)).

Subs: Paddy Wolfe (1-0) for Eoin Doherty