Derrynoose 1-9 St Paul’s 1-17
Last year’s beaten Intermediate Championship finalists St Paul’s overcame Derrynoose by eight-points on Sunday.
An Andrew Murnin goal just before the half time break was key for St Paul’s, who led by eight at half time.
Derrynoose, the 2022 Junior Championship winners, grabbed a goal of their own in the second period.
But Paul Hagan’s side were without one of their main forwards, David McCreesh, through injury. That left their uphill task and ever more difficult one.
Things were evenly matched early on. Shea McNaughton and Conor McNally saw their scores matched by a Ryan Lawless brace at the other end of the field.
Lawless scored a third on the trot before two from Murnin and another from Eoin McConville put the visitors four up.
Fabio Moreira tagged on a free for Derrynoose, while Jack Fox traded scores with his namesake Darren.
Niall McParland claimed one for Ronan Clarke’s side as did Aaron McCaughley. Then came the Murnin goal, the final score of the half, which put St Paul’s ahead 1-9 to 0-4 at the break.
The Lurgan men pushed further ahead after the turnaround, with scores from Oisin Farquhar and McConville.
Conall McNally pulled one back for Derrynoose, but Farquhar reclaimed the ten-point gap between the teams.
Darren Fox swapped scores with McNally, while Mark Lennon did likewise with St Paul’s midfielder McConville.
Conor McNally popped over a free before Pauric McNaughton rattled the net to offer the hosts a huge lifeline.
The goal narrowed the gap to six, but three points in quick succession for St Paul’s pushed them further in front.
Darren Fox, Farquhar and Dean Fitzsimmons were all on target with scores for the visiting side.
Sean Lennon knocked one over for Derrynoose with the final piece of action, with St Paul’s winning by eight.
