IHC win

Argideen Rangers intermediate hurlers got their championship season off the ground with a well deserved 2-15 to 0-17 win last Saturday night in Páirc Uí Rínn. Castlemartyr were once again the opponents, after they prevailed by 9 points in last years championship opener. This time there was to be no repeat of Castlemartyr's early goal spree from last year, as the Argideen Rangers backline defended tenaciously in the first half, conceding zero frees. Up front, John Michael O' Callaghan scored some wonderful points off both sides and tight angles. Captain Michael O' Callaghan was once again unerring from frees. Matthew Lawton got stuck in at midfield and surged at the heart of the Castlemartyr defence. His brother Eoin worked hard and combined well with John Sheehan who cleverly set up Darragh O' Donovan for a fantastic goal to ensure a half time lead of 1-10 to 0-06 for Argideen. Substitute Finbarr Butler wasted no time after his introduction to set up Michael O' Callaghan for an early second half goal. Castlemartyr then came storming back into the game, outscoring Argideen eight points to three in the last fifteen minutes. They narrowed the gap to a goal in the final few minutes, despite smart defending from Cathal O' Donovan, debutant Conor Lehane and Bill Fleming. Fittingly it was centre back Paudie Butler who claimed the insurance point after a marauding run up the field. Team; Dylan Harrington, Ger Crowley, Joe Murphy, Conor Lehane, Colin Smith, Paudie Butler, Bill Fleming, Matthew Lawton, Seán Maxwell, Eoin Lawton, John Michael O' Callaghan, Darragh O' Donovan, Cathal O' Donovan, Michael O' Callaghan and John Sheehan.