This was a closely contested game played in Mountbellew this morning between two eager sides with the issue in doubt right up to the end. Neither side really bossed the game as it was end to end stuff and in fact neither side earned enough breathing space to feel comfortable. Mountbellew were 2 points up after 7 mins until Pearses got 3 quick goals before the 13th minute.
Their first came from Harry Mitchell who continued his goal scoring form after the school’s football final as he somehow got his stick to a long Jonah Donnellan free. Then Paddy Kenny nudged us further in front with a long delivery which deflected off the goalies hurl and into the net. Harry Mitchell again in similar style to his first goal; scored again after he got on the end of another long Jonah Donnellan delivery from the back. Half time: Pearses 3-0 Mountbellew 0-2.
Padraig Kelly was called into action almost straight from the throw-in as Mountbellew worked the ball up the field but Kelly was not found wanting with a brave save and some subsequent brilliant defending from Conor Kelly. Mountbellew blasted to the net and Padraig Kelly again made another brilliant save to tip the ball over the bar.
Mountbellew then levelled matters with another goal which took a deflection after Padraig Kelly saved the initial goal bound effort. Ronan Hynes edged Pearses in front with a point from play. Then as Pearses sustained some pressure, Anthony Feeney sent in a lovely delivery from near the end line to the unmarked Ronan Hynes who whipped first time in front of goal to put Pearses 4 points to the good midway through the 2nd half.
Mountbellew were right back in the game when a Pearses clearance fell to their striker who blasted to the net when it looked like we had defended well enough to avert the ball from danger. Pearses pushed on though and were rewarded with a couple of minutes to go when Ronan Hynes found Harry Mitchell who plucked from the sky but still thought he was playing in the schools football as he kicked left footed to the net. This sealed a hard but well-earned Pearses victory as they now have 3 wins out of 3.
Panel: Pádraig Kelly, Conor Hillary, Conor Kelly, Jack Reilly, Jonah Donnellan, Cormac Hillary, Ronan Hynes, Anthony Feeney, Patrick O’Neill, Paddy Kenny, Harry Mitchell, David Walsh, Daragh Roche, Dara Scarry, Dylan Roche, Cathal Hynes, Diarmuid Ryan, Ross Lally, Brian Thompson, Darren Moran, Conor Walsh, Jamie Nutley.
Match Report: Martina Donnellan