THE Minor Football League kicked off at the weekend with matches in all three divisions.

Playing minor football in February looked like a gamble but Martin Barnes must be might pleased that all 6 matches fixed went off without a hitch.

Even in Bray where the referee failed to show Liam McGraynor stepped into the breach and the match went ahead

Luke O'Tooles 3-9 Bray Emmets 1-4

THE Tinahely powered Luke O'Tooles travelled to Bray and turned in a power packed display to beat the Emmets. It may be early days but O'Tooles, named after the first full time general Secretary of the Association, put on a display that surprised even their own supporters. On this form they could be a power to be reckoned with come championship time.

Three first half goals sent the Derrysiders on their way. With Martin O'Brien and Shane Hogan dominating midfield and Seamus Coogan and Jonathan Gammell anchoring a sound defence there was no way back for the Bray boys.

Luke O'Tooles: Willie Lillis; Paddy O'Sullivan, Seamus Coogan, Jonathan Doyle; Niall Byrne (1-2), Jonathan Gammell, Stephen Murphy; Shane Hogan (0-1), Martin O'Brien (0-1. Jim Cosgrave (0-1), Jason Cush, (0-1) Gab Farrar; Paddy O'Rourke (21), Anthony Byrne, Subs Chris Keogh (0-2); and Mathew Pearson.

Bray Emmets: Tadgh Dorran; Conor O'Meadra, Owen O'Dee, Enda Molloy; Daragh Lohan; Peter O'Reilly, Cathal O'Duallchain; Patrick Taylor, Luke O'Reilly; Darren McCann, Phillip Haughton, Muaris O'Flynn; Dara Maloney (0-2), Harry Stephenson (1-1), Adam Conway (0-1).

Blessington 0-12; Kilcoole 1-9

THE ONE match that was played on Saturday, Blessington v Kilcoole in Blessington in Division B and was a cracker and got the league off to a flying start

The home side were slow to get going and it was the boys from the Goose Bank who were stepping up a grade who set the pace in the first half.

At half-time the visitors led by 0-7 to 0-4 and Blessington had it all to do

Blessington did get in front midway through the half the East team edged ahead again and it was left to young Aaron Nugent to save the day for the home side with a last gasp point.

Blessington: Rob Gillegan; Declan O'Connell, Colm Rielly, Mark Breen, St Bohan, Adam Carroll; Dean McGarr (0-1), Simon Phibbs; Kyle Geraghty,(0-3), Cian O'Neill, Gorvener; Michael Nugent (0-5). Aaron Nugent (0-3).

Ml Dwyers 1-10 An Tochar 1-4

MICHAEL Dwyers crossed the hills to Roundwood on Sunday and picked up the Division C points. A first half goal by Brian Cullen sent the West side on their way but the game still remained wide open.

A goal by Brendan Sowards brought the home side back into the game but it was not enough on the day.

Scorer Ml Dwyers: C.Fitzgearld 0.5 (2f), B.Cullen 1-0 , R. Byrne 0.3 , S.Keogh 0.2 An Tochar: Brendan Sowards 1-0;Patrick Crowley 0-2; Finbar Long and Stefan Callior 0-1 each

Ml Dwyers: P. Costigan, G. Keogh, K.Corrigan, L. Byrne, J.0'Keefe, M.P pearse, S. Byrne, M. Mangan, R. Byrne, O.Eagan, C.Fitzgearld, S.Keogh, R. Donegan, C. Humphries, B. Cullen.

An Tochar: J. Short; J. Murphy, M Molloy, G. Murphy; C. Sowards, Brendan Sowards M. McHugh; G.Byrne, P, Crowley; F. Long, S. Collier; J. Gollnery; R. Scott, K.O'Neill, G. Sutton; - Subs - J. McGee and S. Farrell.

Big advantage

THE BIG advantage this League has is that matches can be played with any number of players from eleven up. Once a team has eleven players the match must go ahead with that number and if both sides have 15, then all the better. However, a number of the stronger clubs are not taking part.

Results

Group A: Kilmac. 3-6, Avondale 2-9; Bray Emmets 1-4, Luke O Tooles 3-9

Group B: Blessington 0-12 Kilcoole 1-9; St.Kevins 2-5, Carnew Emm. 0-7

Group C: Newtown 7-20 Ballinacor 4-4; An Tochar 1-4, Michael Dwyers 110