St Eunan's prove too strong for youthful Four Masters

County champions St Eunan’s flexed their muscles in this impressive win over youthful Four Masters at O’Donnell Park.

The winners recovered well from a sluggish start when they fell 0-4 to 0-1 behind to the visitors by the 17th minute.

But a five-point scoring flurry in the run up to half time saw them lead by 0-6 to 0-4 at the break.

And although Masters tried hard to penetrate the Eunan’s defence, they were giving away quite an amount of physique, power and experience to the county champions.

They fielded six U-20s as Seanán Carr, Turlough Carr, Kevin Muldoon, David Monaghan, Callum McCrea and Conor McCahill all lined out.

But Eunan’s full-forward line was in top scoring form-hitting 0-12 of their total of 0-15, with man of the match Eoin McGeehin having the finest of hours.

He was well supported by Conor O’Donnell Snr and full forward Pauric McGettigan in particular.

McGeehin opened the scoring for the home side with a fine effort after a minute.

But that was to be their last score for 21 minutes, as Four Masters, who were handing senior debuts to U-20 stars Kevin Muldoon and Conor McCahill were in the ascendancy, playing into a stiffish breeze.

Masters almost had an early goal when the impressive Turlough Carr’s high lob was flicked to the goal by midfielder Patrick Reid, but his effort came back off the crossbar

The lively Seanán Carr opened their account with a well-executed effort after a patient build-up and he repeated the dose in the 10th minute of a cagey opening period to put Masters into a 0-2 to 0-1 lead.

Four Masters had all the play and had a half chance of a goal only that Eunan’s keeper Fintan Doherty deflected a rasping shot from Callum McCrea over the cross bar as the visitors led by 0-3 to 0-1.

Seanán Carr added another point for Masters by the 17th minute.

But, inspired by Conor O’Donnell Snr at midfield, Barry Meehan's side were gradually coming back into the game and Philip Doherty pointed.

This was quickly followed by two pointed frees from Conor O’Donnell Jnr to level matters.

It was all St Eunan’s in the run up to the break and O’Donnell Jnr hit a great effort off the outside of his boot.

And full-forward Pauric McGettigan ended the half with a similar effort in a quite remarkable turnaround as 'Eunan’s led by 0-6 to 0-4 at the break.

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Masters threw on Richie O’Rourke who was making a comeback from injury on the resumption, but 'Eunan’s maintained their dominance as McGeehin extended their lead and McGettigan made it 0-8 to 0-4 after a fine effort.

Joe Leape got Master’s first point in 23 minutes-but the inevitable McGeehin responded in kind.

And this affair was sealed as early as the 40th minute when Oran Winston hoofed over a two pointer to put the home side into a 0-11 to 0-6.

Masters responded with a pointed Seanán Carr free.

McGeehin added another point and Turlough Carr hit back with two fine efforts to leave Eunan’s leading by 0-12 to 0-8 with ten minutes to play.

McGetttigan and O’Rourke swapped points and Conor O’Donnell added another point for Eunan’s.

And McGettigan and Killian Faulkner traded the final points.

St Eunan’s scorers: Eoin McGeehin and Pauric McGettigan 0-4 each; Conor O’Donnell Jnr 0-4, 3f; Oran Winston 0-2tp; Philip Doherty 0-1.

Four Masters scorers: Seanán Carr 0-4, 2f; Turlough Carr 0-2; Richie O’Rourke, Joe Leape and Callum McCrea 0-1 each; Killian Faulkner 0-1,f.

St Eunan’s: Fintan Dohery; Peter Devine, Eamon Doherty, Noah Barrett; Oran Winston, Ciaran Tobin, James Kelly; Conor O’Donnell Snr; Eoin Dowling; Philip Doherty, Pauric Boyle, Dylan Doogan; Conor O’Donnell Jnr, Pauric McGettigan, Eoin McGeehin.

Subs: Sean Ryan and Noel O’Donnell for Noah Barrett and Philip Doherty (43), Anthony Gallagher and Darragh Mulgrew for Pauric Boyle and Oran Winston (54).

Four Masters: Ryan Haughey; Callum McCrea, Eoghan O’Neill, David Monaghan; Cian Gallagher, Oisin Reid, Joe Leape; Patrick Reid, Kevin Muldoon; Conor Reid, Seanán Carr, Jamie Crawford, Conor McCahill, Killian Faulkner, Turlough Carr. 

Subs: Daniel McGinty for Callum McCrea and Richie O’Rourke for Cian Gallagher (35), Caolan Loughney for Patrick Reid (57).

Referee: Pat Barrett (Milford)