Defeat to Fulham in Division One opener
June 16, 2018
Division One Football League
Fulham Irish 1:15
CúChulainns 1:08
A strong second half showing sent London Senior champions Fulham Irish to victory over CúChulainns, on Thursday evening in Wormwood Scrubs. Featuring Tyrone All-Ireland winners Eoin Mulligan and Michael Murphy, and former Cavan target man David Givney, Fulham look like a team intent on retaining the championship this year.
Playing their first league game at the top level for 4 years, CúChulainns started slowly conceding 3 points in the first 5 minutes, before they hit back with a Fiachra McArdle free. Givney was causing problems at full forward and with 15 minutes on the clock Fulham led 8 points to 2. Cús then woke up and dominated the rest of the half. Fulham were struggling to deal with driving runs from midfield leading to Cianan Byrne and Conor Donnellan both being fouled within the scoring zone. Conan O'Brien fisted a point and CúChulainns were then given the opportunity to go level when the same player was fouled for a penalty after a spot of pinball near the Fulham goal. McArdle dispatched the penalty and added another free to send the teams level going into the half-time break.
Clearly rattled from the Cús comeback, Fulham started the 2nd half strongly. After good interplay between Mulligan and Givney, Fulham breached the Cús backline for the first time and Rogers was left with no chance in goal. Fulham controlled the second half as the Cús defence came under pressure. It was to their credit that they only conceded one goal as the aerial ability of Lorcan Mulvey and David Givney was a constant threat. A triple substitution gave CúChulainns a lift and the red men responded with 2 points from McArdle. Cús were struggling to pierce through the Fulham half-back line however, as attacks broke down in the middle third. Fulham were able to see the game out and claim a first victory of 2018. CúChulainns attentions turn to Round Towers now in Round 2 of the league on Sunday in Greenford.
Team
Karl Rogers, Conor Harrington, Gary Walsh, Kieran O'Sullivan, Cillian Reilly, Ciaran Boyle, Cathal Noonan, Ger Byrne, Jack Mulhern, Cianan Byrne, Darren McManus, Conan O'Brien (0-1), Conor Donnellan, Kyle Feehily, Fiachra McArdle (1-7, 6f). Subs used. Mícheál Meenagh, Anto Tigue, Camillus Donnelly