Four second half points from Jamie Barron saw The Nire survive a Saturday evening scare from Roanmore in the SFC at a windswept Fraher Field (0-12 to 0-8).
The Sky Blues, playing their second ever senior match, led by three at the break after playing with a stiff breeze. They were still two up with thirteen minutes to play. Barron rescued the Ballymacarbry men with four points from play into the road goal. The Nire also needed to bring Conor Gleeson off the bench. He fisted over a point before Ciaran Looney clinched a hard earned victory.
Roanmore skipper Frank McGrath won the toss and elected to play with the elements. Dean Reidy delivered three quality points from play as the 2023 Premier Intermediate champions led 6-3 at the break. Eddie Nolan and Sam Pender also raised white flags. Gavin O'Brien snuffed out two goal chances as The Nire could only muster frees from Dermot Ryan and Ciaran Looney.
Ten Donie Breathnach points (eight frees) and an injury time goal from Conor Ó Cuirrín saw An Rinn defeat Clashmore/Kinsalebeg 1-14 to 0-9 and post their first win of the 2024 championship. Last year's semi finalists outscored their opponents 1-6 to 0-1 in the last quarter. Veteran full forward Liam Ó Lonáin came off the bench to supply the three pointer for Ó Cuirrín three minutes into added time.
