Tourlestrane 3-15, Calry St Joseph’s 1-6

Having lost their first game at home in this season’s league, last year’s runners up were determined to get back to winning on home soil in Tourlestrane on Saturday evening.

Their supporters didn’t have long to wait as the home side hit the front straight from the throw in with Feidhlim O’Donnell finishing a great move to the net involving John Kelly and the Kennedy brothers Oisin and Rian. This was followed by a fine Rian Bailey point to put Tourlestrane 1-1 to no score up before Calry had any meaningful possession.

The visitors weren’t cowed however and with Damian O Boyle and Conor Griffin gaining the upper hand around the middle of the park, they fought their way back into the game with  three unanswered points led by with Brian Callaghan and Sligo U20 star Daire O Boyle to make it a one point game after 12 minutes.

The sides traded scores over the next ten minutes but the game took a turn on 21 minutes when Calry St Joseph’s were reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the half for a black card offence.

Tourlestrane took full advantage and with a burst of scores including points from John Kelly and Cathal Henry leaving then six up at the break, 1-8 to 0-5.

Despite their opponents being restored to a full complement, Tourlestrane in the second half picked up where they left off and kept going. An early Rian Kennedy goal after good work by Kelly and Conan Marren effectively ended the match as a contest.

Conan Marren added another Tourlestrane goal midway through the half with points from Kelly and from the Bailey brothers, Rian and Thomas, as the home side played out the half at a comfortable pace.

Although they were making little inroads on the score board, Calry never gave up and they had some late consolation when a determined attack ended up with Damien O’Boyle palming the ball to the net before the final whistle blew.