Senior Football League Division 2
Moorefield(2) 1-6
Johnstownbridge 2-15

Johnstownbridge got their league campaign off to a winning start on the plains of the Curragh last Sunday with this convincing win over Moorefield’s second string. The lads from the Moores will be up against it this year but showed midway through the second half that they can compete.
Unfortunately most of the damage was done at that stage. County U21 man Cathal McNally had led the opposition defence on a merry dance in the opening half, helping himself to 1-4 in the first period. McNally found the net inside a minute and he kicked on from there.
The home side had scores from Karl O’Brien and Kevin O’Donnell to give them hope but at that stage Keith Cribbin and McNally had notched up 1-5 between them after 20 minutes. Eamon Callaghan struck a nice free before the away side added more scores through Padriag Hurley, McNally and Shane Flanagan. A fine effort from O’Donnell left the score 1-8 to 0-4 at the break with Johnstownbridge controlling the middle third and hitting McNally who was full of movement.
Moorefield needed a good start but it wasn’t going to happen as the vistors kicked on again with points from O’Donoghue and McNally before Keith Cribbin raised a green flag in what was a self-inflicted score from a Moores point of view.
Eoin O’Donoghue tagged another point to leave it 2-10 to 0-4 with 45 minutes played. Moorefield had shuffled the pack with Gary Brennan out around the middle and some fresh legs coming in. Kevin O’Donnell converted a free from the hands and then another good score from Gerry Christie saw them gain some momentum.
Then Eamon Callaghan, who was now at centre-back, ran up and blasted home as Moorefield were looking to finish strong. Johnstownbridge seemed to lose shape but managed to resettle and two points from Jason O’Keefe and fellow sub Ian Farrell saw the winners clock up more scores in what can only be seen as a positive start.
JOHNSTOWNBRIDGE: David Maguire, James O’Connor, Michael Donnelly, Des Holton, Aenghus Gannon, Noel Cawley, Paul Mooney, Barry McNally, Padraig Hurley 0-1, Will Holton, Keith Cribbin 1-2 (1f), Seamus McNally 0-1, Eoin O’Donoghue 0-2 (1f), Shane Flanagan 0-1, Cathal McNally 1-5 (1f). Subs: Jason O’Keefe 0-2 for Flanagan (45mins), Ian Farrell 0-1 for O’Donoghue (48mins), Diarmuid Holton for W Holton (51mins).
MOOREFIELD: Conor Galvin, Stephen McDonald, Alan Kenny, Niall White, Stephen Doyle, Alan Melia, Jack Ryan, Stephen Rowley, John O’Connor, Karl O’Brien 0-1, Eamon Callaghan 1-1 (1f), Gary Scully, Gerry Christie 0-1, Gary Brennan, Kevin O’Donnell 0-3 (2f). Subs: Frank Hannify for O’Brien (38mins), Gary Dowling for Doyle (46mins), Shane Origan for McDonald (47mins).