Eire Og Annacarty 1-09, Cappawhite Gaels 1-07.

Eire Og Annacarty made heavy work in seeing off the challenge of Cappawhite Gaels in the opening round of the West under 21 B Football Championship on Sunday morning in Cappawhite. Having led for the majority of the time, it took a late goal from Aidan Griffin to snatch victory from the Jaws of defeat.

With the aid of the breeze, Eire Og made the early running though points from Connie and Paidi Bradshaw and Liam Og O'Dwyer. Cappawhite Gaels gradually came into the game to leave the half time score 0-06 to 0-04 in Eire Og's favour. The home side missed a gilt-edged opportunity to take the lead when they missed a penalty midway in the half, goalkeeper Paul Devlin sticking out a leg to save it.

Anthony O'Brien and Jack Kingston extended the Eire Og lead with a brace of points inside the opening 5 minutes of the 2nd half, before Cappawhite Gaels hit back with a brace of their own to bring the lead back to 2 once more. With 11 minutes left, the home side won another penalty, this time the green flag was raised followed by a point to put Cappawhite Gaels 2 up. Anthony O'Brien pulled a point back before Aidan Griffin stepped up to land the match winning goal with 2 minutes remaining, firing a low crossing shot under the despairing dive of the goalie. Eire Og held out to win by 2, despite late Cappawhite Gaels pressure.

Best for Eire Og Annacarty were the Loughman brothers, Stephen O'Brien and Conor Devlin in defence with good performances upfield from Connie and Paidi Bradshaw and Liam Og O'Dwyer.

Eire Og Annacarty: Paul Devlin, Ciaran Loughman, David Fox, Eoghan Loughman, Conor Devlin, Stephen O'Brien, Stephen McDonald, Aidan Griffin (1-0), Connie Bradshaw (0-2, 1 free), Jack Kingston (0-1), Liam Og O'Dwyer (0-2), Paidi Bradshaw (0-2), Arnold O'Dwyer, Anthony O'Brien (0-2), Aaron Tuohy. Sub: John Furlong.