Kiltimagh got their Premier Junior C Championship campaign up and running convincingly on Friday evening, accounting for Islandeady B on a 5-18 to 1-03 scoreline.

Showers drifted in and out over the course of the opening half and, in truth, the football followed suit. At times it was sharp and purposeful, at others loose and lacking cohesion. Still, Kiltimagh did enough to take control, with ten scores from play highlighting their greater attacking threat.

Seán Gilmartin set the tone early, continuing his recent good form. Leading the line with intent, he finished the half with an impressive 1-4 from full-forward as Kiltimagh eased into a 1-08 to 1-02 lead by the break without ever fully hitting top gear.

The second half told a different story.

With the showers gone, Kiltimagh found clarity in their play. Their movement improved, their use of the ball sharpened, and as Islandeady began to tire, the gaps opened. The McDonnell brothers took control around the middle, with Paddy a constant, driving force, kicking four points from play.

At the back, Kiltimagh tightened up considerably. The full-back line took control, with Marcus Cosgrave at corner-back in the standout performer in an impressive defensive display that restricted Islandeady to just a single point after the restart. Mikie Flatley was also influential and was unlucky not to add a third to his first-half return of two fine points from play.

Up front, the game was ruthlessly put beyond doubt. Four late goals underlined Kiltimagh’s dominance, with Daniel Farnhill, Robbie Irwin and Gary Regan all finding the net, before Stephen McDonnell rounded things off with a looping finish.

With Ardagh and Tourmakeady ahead, sterner tests await, but this was a case of job well done and a solid platform to build on as the summer unfolds.

Full Time Islandeady 1-03 Kiltimagh 5-18

Scorers – Kiltimagh: Sean Gilmartin 1-7 (1-2pt ) Paddy McDonnell 0-4(1-2pt)  Gary Regan 1-1 , Robbie Irvine, Daniel Farnhill & Stephen Mc Donnel 1-0 each Callum McNicholas and Mikie Flatley 0-2 each Sean McDonnell & Sean Mallee 0-1 each

Kiltimagh:

1. Gary Regan 2. Marcus Cosgrave 3. Eoghan McGovern 4. Ryan Carroll 5. Mikie Flatley 6. Niall Mulderrig 7. Max Bennett 8. Patrick McDonnell 9. Stephen McDonnell 10. Daniel Farnhill 11. Callum McNicholas 12. Seán McDonnell 13. Jack Shannon 14. Sean Gilmartin 15. Jack Sheridan

Subs:

Sean Mallee ( J Sheridan ) Robbie Irvine ( S Gilmartin ) Patrick Gilmartin ( M Bennett )

Unused sub – Eoghan Lavin