St James' 1-7 Muintir Bhaire 0-07

The Junior A footballers met Muintir Bhaire on a murky Sunday afternoon in the first league match of the season, and will be satisfied with their three point win. This game was chosen as an opportunity to give many of the under 21 footballers some competitive action before the commencement of their championship campaign. Understandably St James’ were slow starters in what was the clubs first competitive game of the campaign but slowly grew into the contest. 

Colm Murphy caught the eye and was rock solid at corner back while Michael Santry again put in a great shift in the middle of the park. Patrick Keohane displayed he is just as competent out the field as he is between the sticks while Sean Scully and Eoin Feen where strong at the heart of the defence. The crucial score came midway through the second half when a Mark Evans free caused confusion in the Muintir Bhaire defence with Frank Hayes punishing the mistake from close range.

St James’ coaching staff will no doubt be pleased with a many of the younger generation that looked confident stepping up to the Junior setup. There was evidence of some pre-season rustiness with many scoring chances going astray during the game. However the youthful St. James’ defence must be commended on their maturity in seeing out the game in the final twenty minutes. Final Score: St. James 1-7 Muintir Bhaire 0-7.

Panel: Diarmuid O’Donovan, Patrick Keohane, Sean Scully, Colm Murphy, Tadhg Feen, Eoin Feen, Ferghal Beamish, James O’ Driscoll, Micheal Santry, Brian O’Donovan, Kevin Kearns, James O’Sullivan (0-1) Mark Evans (0-3), Frank Hayes (1-2), James Hayes (0-1) Subs: Donnacha McCarthy