St Mullins 1-22
Naomh Brid 0-12
While ultimately the result might have been predictable, St Mullins found Naomh Brid a troublesome opponent at times.
Marty Kavanagh's unerring accuracy in the 3rd quarter in particular from placed balls building on their 1-10 to 0-7 interval lead having had the advantage of the elements in Netwatch Training Centre Fenagh in that first half.
It was a minute before half time in last year's 1st round battle between the teams when St Mullins goaled to set the foundation for victory.
In tonight's encounter it took not long more than the 1st minute itself before Mouse netted past Steven Scallan , adding to Paddy Boland's earlier point - the signs were ominous.
Naomh Brid to their credit regrouped with the subsequent loss of Colin Brennan to injury shortly after which meant a reshuffle with Colin Byrne manning the square.
Byrne and Fiach O'Byrne were changes from starting 15 for Cathal Brennan & Tommy Dunne with Sean Raftry entering the fray for the injured Colin Brennan.
Fiach O'Toole from a free and Aaron Amond from play got their side of the scoreboard moving, St Mullins with John Doyle.
Seamus Murphy was a serious outlet for Kevin Kehoe's puckouts when he didn't go short and got on the score sheet soon after with Oisin Boland and Eddie Doyle likewise pointing.
2 goal hero from last year's county final Jason O’Neill was not going to be left out, hitting the first of his brace backed up by a pair from play from Mouse for 1-8 to 0-2 before a mini revival from Naomh Brid saw an Amond brace, one from play and a long distance free.
John Doyle found time and room for his 2nd white flag, the deep dropping Mikey Bambrick then hit 2 in response, one off the hurl and these mixed in with an O’Toole free and Seamus Murphy landing his second saw 1-10 0-7 the outcome at halftime.
It’s not too often Mouse doesn't get at least one placed ball in a half , that was the first half , the 2nd a different story, his 31st minute point from play the first and only of his 9 during second period not to come from the floor.
Fiach O Toole's accuracy from frees kept the deficit to single digits for a time in a half where some last ditch defending at both ends kept the green flag from being waved.
Seamus Murphy, O’Neill and a trademark Jack Kavanagh effort all resulted in points with Conor Kehoe and James Maher making their seasonal reappearance for their respective clubs.
The last act of the game saw John Murphy pulled down.
Aaron Amond like last week went for goal from the resultant free but this time Kevin Kehoe got a strong hurl to just about divert over rather than under the bar to leave St Mullins worthy winners.
Naomh Brid will take positives from the game, their next 2 games with Ballinkillen and Naomh Eoin will go a long way to deciding semi final spots in the coming weeks with St Mullins and MLR on full points after round 2.
And before you ask, no there wasn't, but I believe there was in Dr Cullen Park!
St Mullins
Marty Kavanagh 1-11 ( 0-6f , 0-2 (65s))
Seamus Murphy 0-3
Jason O Neill 0-2
John Doyle 0-2
Paddy Boland 0-1
Oisin Boland 0-1
Eddie Doyle 0-1
Jack Kavanagh 0-1
Naomh Brid
Fiach O Toole 0-6f
Aaron Amond 0-4 ( 0-2f)
Mikey Bambrick 0-2
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