St. Farnan's: 2-18 Bunninadden 1-11

Having lost their opening round in Grange a week previously, St. Farnan's came into last Friday’s first game at home to Division One new boys Bunninadden determined to get their league season up and running.

In a game played in near perfect conditions, the west Sligo side will be satisfied to have led the game from the off and to get ten players on the scoresheet.  Bunninadden too had their moments in an entertaining contest where they had the better of the midfield battle for much of the game.

The home side’s captain Ciarán O'Connor set the tone for his side when he opened the scoring by converting a free after Martin Mulligan was fouled. 

Bunninadden’s Barry Cafferkey who had a fine game throughout got the visitors off the mark with a point from play, but St. Farnan's hit back with two scores, both from the half back line, one each from Mark Devaney and David Hallinan. 

Cafferkey again pointed for Bunninadden, but the home side added two more – from Fionn Connolly and Thomas Cawley to extend their lead to three, 0-5 to 0-2.

Cafferkey then turned provider for Bunninadden bringing Sligo U20 star Luke Marren into the game for his first score of the evening.

Although St Farnan’s were creating chances, they weren’t converting, and the visitors closed the gap further with a smart Cian Brett point from play. St Farnan’s then had goalkeeper Simon Mullarkey to thank for a smart save that denied Marren a goal. 

Martin Mulligan steadied the home support with a point that pushed the margin out to three but then two points from Marren reduced the deficit to a single point on twenty minutes.

St. Farnan's however finished the half strongly with a burst of three unanswered points followed by a penalty taken by Ciarán O'Connor after he was fouled inside the square to see the home side go in seven points up, 1-10 to Bunninadden’s 0-6.

After the break St. Farnan’s quickly cemented their advantage when Martin Mulligan provided Shane Molloy with the perfect pass to give Mike Fogarty no chance in the Bunninadden goal.

Points from Brett and a Marren free gave Bunninadden some hope but Stephen Mulligan and Tomás Cawley, with his third, maintained the home side’s margin at ten, 2-12 to 0-8 as the game entered its last quarter.

With the result not in doubt, St. Farnan's dominated the play and added points from Martin and Stephen Mulligan, Fionn Connolly, James Golden and Cawley again. Bunninadden, kept battling however and were rewarded with a late goal by Michael Gormley.  

St. Farnan's: Simon Mullarkey; Ronan Molloy, Shane Molloy (1-0), Niall Hallinan; Mark Devaney (0-1), Ciarán O'Connor (1pen.-1f), David Hallinan (0-1); Kevin Mc Gee, Gavin Connolly (0-1); Thomas Cawley (0-4), Fionn Connolly (0-2), Martin Mulligan (0-4); Mattie Lang, James Golden (0-2), Stephen Mulligan (0-2).

Subs used: Conor Gordon, Niall Crean, Cormac Hallinan 

Bunninadden: Mike Fogarty; Kyle Gormanly, Jonathan Hodgins, Patrick McDonough, James Mc Laughlin,  Michael Gormley(1-0), Cian Brett(0-2); Keith Frain, Matthew Clavin; Barry Cafferkey (0-3), Oisín Gorman,  Eoin Frain; Michael Gorman, Daniel Cafferkey, Luke Marren (0-6(4f).

Subs used: Ross Mc Manus, Gareth Scanlon.

Referee: John Griffin