The 2019 Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge has well and truly kicked into gear following a number of first-round games taking place throughout the country.

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GROUP C

LAOIS 3-18 OFFALY 2-15

By Oonagh Maher

Laois recorded a deserved opening-round victory in the BOI Celtic Challenge on Wednesday night. They edged out a determined Offaly side in this thrilling Group C game at the LOETB/Laois GAA Centre of Excellence.

Laois started the game strongly scoring 0-5 without reply. Offaly finally got their opening score after 14 minutes but Laois continued to dominate and fired two goals in quick succession through Jim O’Connor and Jack Foyle. This left the scoreline 2-6 to 0-2 but Offaly’s Adam Landy was becoming more influential and replied with two fine points for the away side. Laois, however, pushed forward as the half concluded and hit a string of fine scores to leave a half time score of Laois 2-12 Offaly 0-4.

The second half was a much more competitive affair but it started in the worst possible manner for Offaly. Needing goals themselves, they had to look on as Laois captain Daniel Bowe struck a goal within 60 seconds of the restart. This may have rattled a lesser side but Offaly, to their absolute credit, came storming into the game and fired over 1-5 without reply.

Cillian Dunne arrested the slide for Laois with a couple of fine scores but Offaly were relentless and points from Loughlann Quinn and Callum Flannery either side of a Martin Lawlor goal hauled the visitors within five points of Laois.

Though Offaly continued to battle until the final whistle, Laois had enough in the tank and ultimately ran out deserved winners on a scoreline of 3-18 to 2-15.

Referee Maurice Flynn presented the Best & Fairest award to Laois’ Cillian Dunne and Offaly’s Adam Landy.

LAOIS: Ben Campion, Lochlin Conway, Aodh Bowes, Mick O’Brien, Philip Tynan (0-2), Niall Coss, Jack Phelan, Daniel Bowe (1-3, 1-2frees), Joe Corby, Padraig Rafter(0-3), Jack Foyle (1-2), Josh O’Brien Holmes (0-1), Cillian Dunne (0-5, 5frees), Sam Quinn (0-1).

Subs: Rian Edwards, Sam Birane, Ryan Costigan, Alex Moran.

OFFALY: Barry Connolly, Darragh Landy, Liam Miller, Oisin Kilmartin, Cian Burke, John Coughlan, Sean Kilmartin, Sean Rattigan, Pat Phelan (0-1),Eoin Murphy, Shane Ryan, Adam Landy(0-8, 7 frees), Lee Hogan, Loughlann Quinn (1-3).

Subs: Callum Flannery (0-3), Charlie Bracken, Jack Ormonde, Martin Lawlor (1-0).

WEXFORD 0-20 DUBLIN PLUNKETT 2-12

By Colm Burtchaell

In an exciting contest, Dublin Plunkett lost narrowly by two points to Wexford on final score line of 0:20 (Wexford) to 2:12 (Dublin) in the opening Group C game of the Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge.

Playing against the wind in the first half Dublin found themselves down by 4 points within the first five minutes but a goal from close range from Sean Purcell and a point from David Keogh had the sides level. For the next 15 minutes, both sides traded points with good scores for Dublin coming from Rhys McDonnell (0-2), Niall Fitzgibbon (0-1) and Sean Cooney (0-1).

However, in a short period before half-time Wexford pulled ahead with some great point taking from Zac Breslin and Thomas Kinsella to leave the scores at 0-14 to 1-5 when the whistle for half-time was blown by John Keenan.

On the restart, Dublin started brightly with Rob Burnett scoring a point. Wexford settled again through Kinsella to keep some daylight between themselves and Dublin with of some top class point taking from Dublin’s Connell McGlynn, Daniel Peel and Sean O’Brien.

With 10 minutes to go Wexford were six points ahead. Dublin came roaring back in the game when Rob Burnett’s route to goal was stopped and a penalty ensued which Daniel Peel duly dispatched to James Rossiter's net. Daniel Peel then sent over a point and there was only one point between the teams with three minutes remaining. Although Dublin did have some chances Wexford kept their nerve and sent a point over to put them two ahead.

Try as Dublin could, Wexford’s defence could not be breached for that goal that Dublin needed to win. Both sides gave everything and a special mention to Paddy Doyle (Dublin) and Thomas Kinsella (Wexford) who were chosen as the best and fairest players by the referee John Keenan.

DUBLIN PLUNKETT: Adam O’Connor, Paddy Doyle, Jamie Green, Brian Dunne, Sean Gallagher, Ferghal Kilbane, Jack Guinan, Rhys McDonnell (0-2), Luke O’Loughlin, Niall Fitzgibbon (0-1), Sean Cooney (0-1), David Keogh (0-1), Daniel Peel (1-4), Gordon Rogers, Sean Purcell (1-0).

Subs: Adam Langan, Sean O’Brien (0-1), Jack Crennan, Connell McGlynn (0-1) and Rob Burnett (0-1)

WEXFORD: James Rossiter, Adam Roche, Robbie Hillis, Alex Boggan, Tommy Gallagher, Cormac Doyle, Oisin O'Cheallaigh, Thomas Kinsella, Shane Flood, Darren Kelly, Shem O'Hagan, Liam Schokman, Eoin O'Meara, Zac Breslin, Josh Carley.

Subs: Jason Gordon, Rory Devereux, Michael Dundon, JJ Twamley, Jack Twomey, Brian Og Curran, Matt Kinnard.

GROUP D

WICKLOW BLUE 2-10 WESTMEATH 1-11

By Michael Lawler

In a game that began like a house on fire and continued in the same vein, Wicklow narrowly got the better of their rivals Westmeath in a fascinating Group D opener.

Wicklow's Liam Somers stylishly grabbed the first goal of the game but Westmeath roared back into the contest and outscored their opponents 1-3 to no score over the next period of the first half. Some wayward shooting from Westmeath let Wicklow off the hook and the sides went in level at half time 1-5 a piece after some super keeping by Oisín Loughlin and brave defending kept Wicklow at bay.

In a hard-fought second half Wicklow pounced for an opportunistic goal to put them 3 points ahead. Westmeath fought hard until the end but just couldn't strike level. Wicklow's physicality showed at times but Westmeath stood up to the challenge and showed some great skill and work rate throughout the game.

There were some fine displays by both sides all across the pitch and corner-back Peter Dalton received the Best & Fairest award on the Westmeath team, while John Toomey was awarded the accolade for Wicklow.

The players will learn a lot from their first competitive outing of the year and the main aim is to remain competitive over the course of the Celtic Challenge series.

WICKLOW: Meitheal Cleary, John Young, Oisin Brogan, Darren Reilly, Brandon Ryan, Shane Browne, Adam Bushe, Jake O'Kelly, John Toomey, James McGing, Owen Young, Rory Mulcahy, Torna Mulconry, Liam Somers, Brian Keogh.

Subs: Eoin Kavanagh, Pj O'Connor, Paddy Dunne.

WESTMEATH: Oisín Loughlin, Peter Dalton, Mickey Lynam, Jamie Reilly, Cian McCarthy, David Weir, Aaron Fenlon, Olly McClair (0-1), Mark Cunningham (0-1), Oisín Murray (0-1), Michael Moffatt, Tomass Turks, Eamon Cunneen (0-6), Warric Kirby, Brian McGrath (1-1).

Subs: Ryan Boyne, Mark Cully, Michael Doherty, Ryan Forde, Brian Gaffney, Oisín Kiernan, Liam Maxwell, Donal Mulvihill (0-1), Aaron Ready, Luke Smith

MEATH 2-13 KILDARE LILYWHITES 2-12

By Paul Hamilton

This week’s BOI Celtic Challenge clash at Hawkfield COE was a classic as the Royals hung on against Kildare Lily Whites to win by the smallest of margins.

Meath struck initially with two well-taken scores from Sean Mulligan and Ciaran Rogers, however, the Lily Whites showed their intention not to be outgunned when in the sixth minute only the crossbar saved Meath from an almost certain goal.

This let-off was short-lived, as Cormac Vizzard found space in the middle of the field and got clear of the Royals defence to set up Finn Tierney who hammered the sliotar into the back of the Meath net. Meath retaliated with a goal of their own when Shaun Donnelly scored the first of his impressive tally of 2-4.

Going into the final two minutes of the half with the game level, Kildare’s Cormac Vizzard struck with a second goal for the Lily Whites which was quickly followed by another point for Kildare to go into the halftime break 4fourpoints to the good.

The second half started even faster than the first with Meath pulling themselves right back into it with Shaun Donnelly’s second goal of the match, reducing the deficit to a single point. Points continued to be traded and by the mid-point in the half, the teams were again level at 2-10 apiece. During the next six minutes, however, Meath started to dominate around the middle of the field and pulled ahead by two points.

When Joey Cole was fouled in the square, the referee gave Meath the option of a penalty or taking the incredible point he had just scored which would move them three points clear. That was the final score for Meath as Kildare piled forward, putting the Royals defence under a lot of pressure in the final eight. minutes.

Kildare’s Aaron Martin scored two late points to leave the match in the balance with Meath a single point up. A wonderful game of hurling played in exemplary spirit between two evenly matched teams. Well deserved “Best and Fairest” awards went to Oisín Bright (Meath) and Cormac Vizzard (Kildare).

KILDARE: Niall Tierney; Cormac Byrne, Sean Hodgkins, Jack McGovern; Jason Stanley-McKenna, Tadgh Halpin, Eamon Little; Aidan Mooney, Harry Whelan(0-1)(c); Sam Hillyer, Cormac Vizzard(1-3), Finn Tierney(1-1), Aaron Martin (0-5), Evan O’Brien(0-1), Fiachra Mooney(0-1)

Subs: Ger Darcy(0-1), Eoin Walshe, Cian Cullen, Charlie Connelly, Miachael Browne, Adam Jordan, Adam Delmer, Daithi Martin

MEATH: Jack Fagan; Harry Cottrell, Eoin Donegan, Evan Cole; Luke Moran, Drew Hamilton(c), Oisin Bright; Cian Smith, Harry Smyth; Shaun Donnelly(2-4), Ciaran Rogers(0-1); Sean Mulligan(0-2), Evan Geoghegan; Joey Cole(0-5), Rory Fagan.

Subs: Liam Boyle, Eoin McNerney, Brian Donnelly, Gavin Halton, Matthew Cully(0-1), Liam Callanan, Kevin Mulligan, Eoghan McCormack.

GROUP F

MONAGHAN 4-11 LOUTH 0-8

By Mary McEneaney

Striking, dribbling, blocking, pucking, hooking, tackling, stopping and all the skills of Hurling - which now has Unesco Cultural Heritage status - were on display on Wednesday evening in Cloghan as mighty Monaghan overcame a determined Louth side in Round 1 of the eagerly anticipated Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge competition.

Hurling in both Monaghan and Louth is on the up with Monaghan manager Kevin Moloney having four clubs at his disposal while Louth manager Gerard Swift has six. 16 of those currently on the Monaghan panel graduated from the 2016 U14 Hurling Development Squad.

Louth looked sharper from the start and controlled possession as both sides settled down and found their rhythm but it was one of Monaghan’s key players, Mikey Carville, who opened the scoring for the home side in the fourth minute with a point before Conor Murphy responded.

Monaghan’s dominance became more obvious as the match progressed and they set the pace of what was a fast flowing game with accuracy, clinical defending, attacking and long-range scores playing a key role.

However Louth’s defence denied Monaghan many times in front of goal and despite trailing, the visitors work rate and intensity never waned until the half time whistle as Monaghan ended the half ahead on a scoreline of 2-7 to 0-4.

It looked as if Louth would need a massive performance in the second half to halt Monaghan and indeed the third quarter of the game was a low scoring affair. Despite the loss of Mikey Carville to injury Monaghan’s dominance was once again to the fore and having found the net for the fourth time in the game in the last quarter they finished comfortable winners on a scoreline of 4-11 to 0-8.

This match epitomized the ethos of the Celtic Challenge competition with all players proudly wearing their county jersey. Both managers were pleased with the honest endeavour and will take many positives from it going forward to Round 2 as Monaghan meet Wicklow Gold and Louth meet Cavan.

Well done to Louth's Zac Lennon and James Slevin from Monaghan who received the best and fairest awards.

MONAGHAN: Pauric Bolger , Zach McArdle, Caleb McArdle (0-1), Paudie Heavin, Senan O’Brien, Daniel Boyle, Darragh O’Callaghan (0-1), Thomas Keenan, Shane Slevin (1-1), Leo Moloney (2-0), Conal McHugh (0-1), James Slevin (0-1), Niall Birmingham (1-1), Mikey Carville (2-4), David Moorehead, Cillian Hanratty (0-1), Conor Brennan, Cathal McCooey, Darragh Watters, Jack Mohan and Tristan Moyna.

LOUTH: Aidan O’Brien, Brandon Johnson, Brendan Prendergast, Cillian McKenna, Connor Geraghty, Conor Byrne, Conor Murphy (0-3), Evan Maher (0-1), Fionn Cumiskey, Fionnán McGurk, Josh Murtagh, Jack McCaughey, Mikey McCourt, Niall Quigley, Paddy Wehrly, Robert McCaughey, Ronan Reid, Jake Mc Namara (0-2), Seamus Birch, Seán Magill (0-1), Tiernan McKenna, Tom Matthews and Zac Lennon.

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WICKLOW GOLD 10-15 LONGFORD 0-6

By Carol Murray

Longford and Wicklow Gold travelled to the GAA National Centre of Excellence in Abbottstown, Co Dublin for the First Round of the Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge Competition.

Longford got their first score from a free through Adam Murray in the first two minutes of the game. It was within the next five minutes, that Wicklow Gold made a blistering start with three goals.

The first was scored by Charlie Cruise followed by Fionn Doogan and then another from Cruise. Wicklow Gold lead 3-3 to 0-1 with eight minutes gone. Adam Murray then scored a point from play and another from a free to steady the Longford ship. Score at halftime Longford 0-3 Wicklow Gold 6-8.

Wicklow came out strong again in the second half scoring a goal through Brian Guesbitt in the first two minutes. Murray got another point for Longford whose backs were defending like Trojans, but when Wicklow got their running game going, Longford simply had no answer.

The Longford lads showed great fight and spirit in the second half and had the better of the exchanges, despite the total dominance of Wicklow Gold although it wasn’t translated to the scoreboard. The Longford keeper Michael Mulcahy made some great saves and had some great sidestepping to power out through the strong Wicklow forwards.

It wasn’t to be Longford’s day in the end with the final scoreline flattering Wicklow Gold. There were loads of positives to take going forward from the game for both teams. It was a valuable learning experience and important to get some of the fringe players valuable game time. The amount of work, desire and passion displayed on the field is what the competition is all about.

Well done to Longford’s Ali Iqbal and Bill O'Brien from Wicklow Gold who received the best and fairest awards.

WICKLOW GOLD: Daniel O Reilly, Dillion Byrne, Conor Wafer, Ciaran Harmon, Jack Reid, Tommy Collins, Shane Arthur, Jamie Ryan, Jack Byrne (0-1), Ben Burke (0-3), Fionn Doogan (3-4), Tom O Brien (0-2), Oscar Harty, Charlie Cruise (3-0), Brian Guesbitt (2-1), Cormac Redmond, Bill O Brien (2-1), Tadgh Mc Carthy, Rian Mac Maolian, TJ O Neill, Matt Curran, John Mc Elhinny, Aaron O Rourke, Luan Ruddy, Seosamn Icelly, Casey Doyle.

LONGFORD: Micheal Mulcahy, Jack Linnane, Shane Courtney, Diarmuid O Donnell, Adam Halpin, Iarlaith Dolan, Pearse Mc Nally, Ali Iqbal, Donal Sheahan, Dean Wykes, Adam Murray (0 – 6), Liam Browne, John Murray, Adam Connaughton, Jim Crossan, Stephen Murray, Zach Tunstead, Owen Noonan, Thomas Walsh, Liam Kenny, Daniel Gallagher.

REFEREE: Killian Jones

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KILDARE CADETS 4-20 CAVAN 1-4

By Mark O'Rourke

Cavan and Kildare Cadets travelled to Drumree in Co. Meath on Wednesday evening for the eagerly awaited opening round of this year’s Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge. The rain had ceased so the game was played in almost ideal conditions.

The Lilywhites movement, skill and ability to take scores were a joy to watch particularly in the first half. They kept the scoreboard ticking and built up a commanding lead. Cavan kept battling and the general play around the field did not reflect the half time score.

Sean Maher who scored five in all opened the scoring for Kildare Cadets. Diarmuid Mangan made great use of the supply and notched up 2-4 in the first half while Tom O’Donovan, Conn Kehoe and Eoin Hayes also registered scores.

The second half was much closer albeit Kildare continued to rotate their squad. Cavan outscored the Kildare lads 1-3 to 1-2 in the third quarter, Luke Dunleavy netting for the Lilywhites before a Jamie Masterson shot made its way to the Kildare net and the green flag was raised for Cavan. Kildare would score another 1-3 in the closing quarter to run out convincing winners with Conn Kehoe getting the goal.

Kildare were impressive and had many fine performances all over the field with Conn Kehoe, Eoin Hayes, Sean Maher and Diarmuid Mangan in the full forward line all outstanding.

The Cavan players and management will take heart from their second-half performance. Shea Denning in the Cavan goal was outstanding throughout making some fine saves and was very cool under pressure.

Jack Dunne had a great game at full back as did Jamie Masterson and Sean McMahon in defence while Cillian Boyle and Cormac Smith impressed up front.

Cavan travel to Dundalk next Wednesday to face Louth while Kildare host Longford on Saturday 11th May in Leixlip.

On the day, Conn Kehoe of the Kildare Cadets and Jack Dunne of Cavan received the best and fairest awards.

KILDARE CADETS: Daragh O’Shaughnessy, Morgan Dunne, Luke Dunleavy (1-3), Killian Quigley, Stephen Moran, Michael Kane, Conn Kehoe (1-2), Eoin Hayes (0-2), Sean Gleeson, Jack Mulvihill, Sean Maher (0-5, 2 65s), Ryan McGinley, Tom O’Donovan (0-3), Diarmuid Mangan (2-4), Rian O’Gorman.

Subs: Conor Tracey, Aaron Shelley (0-1), Ciaran O’Gorman, Ciaran Mulvey, Niall Clarke, Jack Heading, Sean Costello.

CAVAN: Shea Denning, Dwayne Mulvey, Jack Dunne, Gary Tully, Tadhg Larkin, Jamie Masterson (1-0), Sean McMahon, Cormac Clarke, James Smith, Cormac Smith (0-2, 1f), Odhran Keating, Conor Bannon, Colin McCauley, Cillian Boyle (0-2), Gavin Fitzpatrick.

Subs: Joshua McKiernan, Colm Brady, Piaras McManus, Michael Wall, Dylan Greenan, Declan Mernagh, Andrew McCauley, Fionn Fleming, Jack Kelly, Aaron Crowe, Daniel Harten, Ryan Galligan.

REFEREE: Kevin Brady.