Lisnaskea 0-10 St. Patrick’s 3-04

St Pat’s got off to winning start in their quest for the Intermediate Championship as they defeated Lisnaskea in therir derby meeting at Emmett’s Park on Saturday.

Goals made the difference for the visitors leaving manager Paul Hasson pleased with the win:

“It was a hard-fought win, we could have used the ball better and maybe played into their hands a little too much, however, for a squad currently in the process of rebuilding and after a hard league campaign along with incorporating the younger players coming through and still come away with the win is very pleasing.”

St Pat’s came out of the blocks fast with a goal in their first attack, Dara O’Reilly finding the net after a well-worked attack.

Aidan Keenan, Adam McKenna and Hayden Lynch (2) all scored points in the first half for Lisnaskea while Jimmy Tormey, Eoghan Curran and Conan Fitzpatrick responded with scores to leave it at 1-03 to 0-04 going into the break.

Emmetts goalkeeper Ethan McCaffrey slotted over a ‘45 to begin the second half after making a couple of key saves in the first half.

Pearse McDermott and Mark Smith traded scores before Johnny O’Reilly buried his chance to give St Pat’s their second goal.

Lisnaskea added another point but Cameron McBrien stretched the away side’s lead when he palmed the ball over McCaffrey for a third goal.

The Emmetts pushed for a goal of their own but could only find another three points through Lynch (2) and Smith.

Lisnaskea manager John Reihill said he was disappointed with the performance.

“We never got up to the pace of the game. The first attack resulted in a goal, and we never recovered.

“St Pat’s were aggressive, won a lot of possession around the middle and throughout the game looked more dangerous. They scored three goals and Ethan McCaffrey also made a few good saves,” said Reihill.

And the Emmetts boss is expecting just as tough a test from Irvinestown this weekend.

“Irvinestown will be equally as difficult and looking to bounce back from their defeat to Tempo.

“We will have to raise our game to compete, and we feel we can. As a young team, we have to learn fast about Championship football.

“It may not be a straight knockout but for clubs, it is still the premier competition and teams up their performance for it.”

St Pat’s will now focus on Tempo with Hasson adding: “Tempo will be a massive step up this weekend and will come to Louis Leonard Park with a wealth of experience having played in the Senior Championship in recent years and I’m sure one of their goals will be to go straight back up.”