Castlewellan turned in an impressive display in this opening round clash in the SFC at St. Patrick's Park, Newcastle on Monday evening when they easily defeated a disappointing An Ríocht who stood off too much and showed them too much respect, on a scoreline of 0-18 to 0-10. Right from the start, Castlewellan dominated proceedings and with their midfield pairing of Gregory McCartan and Ciaran McCabe in top-form the scores came thick and fast in that opening half - half-time score Castlewellan 0-12, An Riocht 0-2.

An Ríocht re-arranged their side at the start of the second-half bringing county panelists John Clarke and John Lavery to the midfield sector. This duo had a decided impact and at last the An Riocht side were getting some quality ball into their forwards. With ten minutes of the game remaining they reduced the leeway to 0-16 to 0-7. With the run of the ball An Riocht could have bagged a couple of goals.

An Ríocht tried to get through for all-important goals but found the winners defence in determined mood. They were awarded a penalty in the closing minute, but Gary Cunningham's spot-kick was brilliantly saved by current Down custodian in the Castlwellan nets as the Castlewellan booked their place in the quarter-finals of the competition in the coming weeks.

Best wishes to mid-fielder Paul Murney who retired during the match with a broken wrist.

Castlewellan - Mickey McVeigh; L. Lennon, S. Trainor, T. Jennings; T. McGrady, B. McAleenan, N. McArdle 0-1; Gregory McCartan 0-1, Ciaran McCabe 0-1; F. McGreavy 0-5, C. McAlarney 0-1, T. McAtamney; F. Rice 0-5, M. McKibben 0-1, C. McCann 0-1.
Subs - D. McGrady 0-2 for P. McGrady; N. McAleenan for T. McAtamney; P. Flannigan for S. Trainor; P. Keown for C. McCann.

An Riocht - B. McVeigh; J. McVeigh, L. McVeigh, D. O'Reilly; A, Annett, John Lavery 0-1, C. Annett; P. Murney, B. Sloan; B. Annett, John Clarke 0-5, M. Harper; C. Walsh, Gary Cunningham 0-4, Jim Clarke.
Sub - A. Flanagan for P. Murney.

Referee: Colm Broderick from Banbridge.