St Martin’s in pole position

WEXFORD side St Martin’s sit top of Group A in Division 3 of the Féile Peil na nÓg, going into today’s deciding fixtures, having registered two victories in the opening round of matches at Whitechurch yesterday.

As the only team to win two matches on day one, the Leinster outfit have given themselves a great chance of progressing to this evening’s semi-finals, which will be played between the winners of all four groups in Division 3.

However, host side Whitechurch and St Eunan’s of Donegal will fancy their chances as they also bring a 100% record into today’s games, having played one game each.

St Martin’s laid down a marker in their opening clash with Thomas Russell’s, hammering the Cork side 3-13 to 0-1. Corner forward Philip McDermott grabbed three goals.

Next up for the Wexford boys was Blarney who, having already lost to St Eunan’s, knew victory was a must. An early goal from Conor Murphy gave Blarney a dream start but Martin’s rallied and led 0-4 to 1-0 at the break. Rory O’Connor’s 25th-minute goal for Martin’s effectively ended the contest, however there was time for Conor Dalton to score a consolation goal for Blarney to end the game 1-7 to 2-1.

St Eunan’s impressed in their 3-4 to 0-3 demolition of Blarney. Centre-forward Niall O’Donnell pitching in with a goal either side of half-time.

Whitechurch had little trouble navigating the challenge of Thomas Russells, winning 3-7 to 2-2, David O’Donovan picking up a brace.

Elsewhere in Division 3 Monaghan side Carrickmacross Emmett’s proved their credentials in Group B beating Kiltha Óg 2-8 to 1-4 before breezing past hosts Youghal 4-6 to 0-2. All eyes today will be on their meeting with St Brigid’s who thumped Kiltha Óg 7-8 to 1-3.

In Group C, host club Macroom, Longford Slashers, Millstreet and North London are tied two points each. Macroom and Longford Slashers have a game in hand, having played just one game each yesterday.

Macroom impressed in their 6-12 to 3-3 win over Kilmurry while Longford Slashers put 5-7 past Millstreet who could only reply with 2-0. Millstreet triumphed by a single point over North London in a 1-3 to 2-1 thriller while North London picked up a 1-7 to 2-7 victory over Kilmurry.

Ahan Gaels are in pole position in Group D with two wins from two games. The Gaels overcame Cavan side Castlerahan 3-3 to 1-5 before beating Kilmeen/Kilbree 3-1 to 0-4.

Castlerahan managed to score 10-10 in 30 minutes of football against Clan na Gael, who also conceded 8-8 against Blessington, the only other unbeaten team in the group; the Wicklow side face Ahan Gaels at 10am this morning in Rossmore.

The Division 3 semi-final takes place today at 5pm and 6.30pm in Whitechurch. The final will be played at 11.45am tomorrow in Páirc Uí Rinn.