Pearses 1-10 Kilconieron 1-7. Pearses got their U21 Championship off to a good start with a spirited display against Kilconieron in Killimordaly earlier today. From the outset the hunger of this Pearses side for victory was apparent. When not in possession they chased down the opposition in packs, often forcing tunovers. Yet for all this hard work they trailed at half-time 0-5 to 0-3, primarily due to a series of wides, when in control,andamp;nbsp;earlier in the half.
Despite a slow start to the second half Pearses began to assume control again and this time were more economical with their opportunities, drawing level at 0-6 to 0-6. Then when presented with a 21-yard-free for the lead, Colm Raftery went low and stuck it in the top corner. Gary Hennelly was now beginning to shine after a switch from corner to full-forward and tagged on a point.
Raftery added another brace of frees before a disputed 65′ was converted by Kilconieron. Again Raftery replied with a placed ball. Then a probing high ball into the heart of the defence found a Kilconieron man inside the cover and he finished to the net. Pearses to their credit hit back instantly, with possibly the best score of the game. Darragh Skehill finishing a well worked move. Pearses now progress to Round 2, where they take on Cois Fharraige, possibly next week. Stay tuned for a fixture!
Pearses: F Healy; R Skehill, B Egan, T Broderick; R Bellew, D Skehill (0-1), G Lally; E Cunniffe, C Raftery (1-6, all frees); R Lally (0-1), K Beckett, J Lally; G Dwyer, P Moore (0-1), G Hennelly (0-1). Sub used: D Kelly for G Dywer. Kilconieron: O Uniacke; E Donoghue, P Uniacke, R Fahy; S Maloney, S Caulfield, N Maher; S Hickey, L Uniacke; P Burke, C Dillon, G McGrath; J Egan, L Cannon, D andamp;Oacute; Mangandamp;aacute;in. Referee: M Conway (Craughwell).