Aodh Ruadh off to winning start in U-21A against MacCumhaill's

Aodh Ruadh got their U-21 championship campaign off to a winning start with a comfortable win over MacCumhaill's in MacCumhaill Park on Saturday.

MacCumhaill's 1-8   Aodh Ruadh 3-10

There was a big decision for both teams before the start as the appointed referee failed to turn up. Val Murray was in the ground and both teams agreed to him taking charge. Not a good advertisement for the competition on opening day.

Fielding a team that had plenty of senior experience Aodh Ruadh finished the game very well in the final quarter, but up until that the game was well contested.

It was point for point for the opening quarter before Aodh Ruadh hit two goals in the second quarter from Colm McGloin and Cian Rooney to lead by 2-4 to 0-5 after 19 minutes but MacCumhaill's hit the final two points of the half to leave just a goal between the teams at the interval.

Damian Weber added a quick point at the start of the second half but a goal from Dillon Doherty on 33 minutes left just a point between the sides - 2-5 to 1-7.

Four Masters come from five down to draw with Naomh Conaill

Conor Meehan's lucky goal gave Four Masters a lifeline to escape with a share of the spoils

However, Aodh Ruadh moved away again and Jack Gallagher won and converted a penalty on 60 minutes to seal the win.

MacCumhaill's were short a number of players and were also not helped when Kevin McCormack, their main scorer, had to go off injured, after playing through the pain barrier for 50 minutes.

Best for Aodh Ruadh included Aidan Sweeney, Ryan Keenaghan, Colm McGloin, Matt Gillespie, Jack Gallagher, Cian Rooney and Harry Howarth.

MacCumhaill's scorers: Kevin McCormack 0-4,2f; Dillon Doherty 1-0; Conor McGinty 0-2; Sean Martin, Fionn McNulty 0-1 each.

Aodh Ruadh scorers: Jack Gallagher 1-4,pen,1f; Cian Rooney 1-1; Colm McGloin 1-1; Matt Gillespie 0-2; Damian Weber, Harry Howarth 0-1 each.

MacCumhaill's: Charlie Byrne; Alan Sproule, Cian Mulligan, Josh Reid; Pete Byrne, Sean Martin, Owen McGonagle; Fionn McNulty, Sean Breen; Andrew Murray, Conor McGinty, Darrragh Boyle; Dillon Doherty, Kevin McCormack, Noah Reid. 

Subs: Martin Mbuli for F McNulty (45); Jamie Meenan for D Doherty (45);  Ryan Galvin for N Reid (48); Noah Reid for McCormack (50).

Aodh Ruadh: Aaron Cullen; Daire Gallagher, Kyle Murray, Aidan Sweeny; Ryan Keenaghan, Mark McGlynn, Senan Rooney; Matt Gillespie, Colm McGloin; Eoghan Kelly, Jack Gallagher, Darragh Flood Dolan; Damian Weber, Cian Rooney, Harry Howarth.

Subs: James Gallagher for Daire Gallagher (35); Cian McKenna for Harry Howarth (52); Conor Foy for Ryan Keenaghan (60).