NH MALACHI 1-21 HUNTERSTOWN ROVERS 3-3

Nh Malachi turned in an excellent team performance to secure their Division 2 status for next year with a comfortable win over Hunterstown Rovers on Saturday afternoon.

The game at Pairc Sean Misteal saw the Courtbane side produce one of their best displays of the year to avoid a second relegation of the season.

The Malachis began well and scored the first three points before Alan Landy levelled when he found the net from the rebound after his penalty had been saved.

Padraig Matthews then pointed to put Rovers in front and although Landy hit a second goal, the Mals responded and entering the final minute of the half the teams were level at 0-8 to 2-2.

The Courtbane men then grabbed an important goal as Ronan McElroy found the target to put his side three points ahead at the break.

A dominant second half display that featured some well taken points saw the Malachis complete the victory. Hunterstown responded with a Paul Carrie point and a David Fedigan goal but the scores were little more than consolation efforts.

NH MALACHI: Niall Bird, Stephen Burns, Chris Smith, David Begley, Pete Mc Shane 0-1, Ronan Greene, Brian Rogers 0-1, Ruairí Daly, Sean Smith, Stephen Smith, Ronan McElroy 1-3, Gerry Hamill 0-2, Colin Rooney 0-4, Jason Clarke 0-4, Kevin Rogers 0-5.

HUNTERSTOWN: A Fedigan; R Cunningham, R Taaffe, D McKenna; C Finn, D Finn, P Mooney; B Matthews, P Matthews 0-1; B Lennon, P Carrie 0-1, E Burke; P McArdle, A Landy 2-1, D Fedigan 1-0. Subs: Paddy Matthews for P Matthews, S Callan for B Lennon, N Moynagh for D Fedigan, N Taaffe for E Burke.

[Report: Eunan Whyte]