Devenish 3-13 Kinawley 1-12


A superb first half in which they hit three cracking goals was the basis for this somewhat surprising but thoroughly deserved win for the home side in St Mary’s Park.


Devenish played into the breeze in the first half, but an early goal from Joe O’Brien set them on the road after just five minutes to cancel out an early point for Kinawley.


Fionan O’Brien and Terry O’Flanagan tagged on two points and Jamie Flanagan struck for the second goal on 20 minutes when a high ball from keeper Thomas Treacy dropped short.


Kinawley were struggling to contain a rampant Devenish attack as Joe O’Brien.
Shell-shocked Kinawley did respond with a breakaway Ruairi Corrigan goal five minutes from the break.


But it was all Devenish and Jarlath O’Brien hit goal number three for the winners after a fine move with Fionan O’Brien and Cian O’Brien pointing to put Devenish into a 3-6 to 1-5 lead at the break.


Tomas Corrigan hit four points, three of them coming from frees with Dara Cathcart also pointing to add to Ruairi Corrigan’s well-taken goal.


The home side turned over with the breeze and both sides hit 0-7 in this half as Devenish consolidated their lead.


Jarlath O’Brien, the impressive Cian O’Brien, Joe O’Brien and Terry O’Flanagan were among the second half scorers against a Kinawley side who were not able to make any real impression on a well-organized Devenish.


Kinawley relied for most of their scores on Corrigan who converted five frees with his brother Ruairi and Sean McManus completing the Kinawley scoring. 


And while this big win may come as a slight jolt to some, Devenish joint manager Marty O’Brien was not in the least surprised.


“We played well, and the goals were massive," he said. “But we knew we should have beaten Kinawley in the Club Players Competition earlier on and we definitely should have beaten them last year in the championship.


“We knew we had the measure of them if we went out and played our game. We were against a strong breeze in the first half and those goals were vital on the day.


“We had a good lead at halftime as we were seven up and it was the same margin at the end of the game, so we kept our composure.


“Kinawley were chasing the game in the second half and had a few chances near the end and so did we."

Kinawley boss Dom Corrigan had no complaints after suffering their first defeat of the season.


“Devenish hit us with early goals and they were very impressive and pacey and clinical up front," he commented.


“We have no complaints and it was a good workout early in the League and Devenish were the better team and we have no complaints.


“We were missing Paddy McGovern and Niall Bogue, and we were well short and they had a few missing too."