Shelmaliers 1-12 St. James’ 0-8

2016 champions St. James’ certainly felt the absence of a number of key figures as Shelmaliers prevailed in Saturday’s Tom Doyle Supplies county senior football championship Group B opener at the ‘Centre of Excellence’ in Ferns.

Knee trouble robbed the ‘Jimmies’ of Matthew O’Hanlon to add to the loss of Graeme Molloy (injury), Kevin O’Grady (out of the country) and Jamie Myler (transferred).

Regardless, Fran Fitzhenry’s charges fared alright for much of the way before Benny McCabe’s Shels claimed five of the last six points to complete a merited victory to somewhat avenge the 2016 replayed semi-final loss to the Ramsgrange men.

Shane Murphy and Mark Molloy (free) got St. James’ off to a determined 0-2 to 0-0 start before Eoghan Nolan and captain Eoin Doyle began to rouse the Shels.

And the black-and-amber struck back with a point from Jody Donohoe before recent Wexford FC soccer man Craig McCabe netted a penalty with some aplomb to seize the initiative after six minutes (1-1 to 0-2).

St. James’ competed strongly, but the Shels packed the stronger punch, although their finishing left something to be desired as they only led by 1-5 to 0-5 at half-time.

Eoghan Nolan kicked a couple of long-range gems to help the Shels extend the margin to 1-9 to 0-7 on 52 minutes and they sealed the deal with closing additions from Nolan together with sub Liam Rockett and Eoin Doyle.

Shelmaliers – Graham Lawlor-Ryan, André O’Brien, James Cash, Dan Campbell, Aidan Cash, Ciarán O’Shaughnessy, Simon Donohoe, Eoghan Nolan (0-3), Brian Malone, Glen Malone (0-1), Eoin Doyle (capt., 0-2), Jody Donohoe (0-1), Conor Hearne (0-1), Brian Murphy, Craig McCabe (1-3, 1-0 penalty, 0-2 frees).

Subs: Liam Rockett (0-1) for Murphy (53); Tommy Barron for S Donohoe (55).

St. James’ – John Ryan, Paul Barron (capt.), Jason Barron, Greg Doyle (0-1), Darragh Lyons, Robbie Barron, David Doyle (0-1), Shane Murphy (0-1), Brendan Doyle, Brian Molloy (0-2), Mark Molloy (0-3 frees), Daniel Keating, Tommy Walsh, Alan Walsh, Donal Barron.

Subs: Liam Murphy for B Doyle (43); Michael O’Grady for A Walsh; Brian Kennedy for Keating.

Referee – Anthony Tobin (Geraldine O’Hanrahans).