Spa welcomed Legion on Saturday evening in the second round of the Co League, and a strong first quarter gave us a solid lead that we maintained throughout the game.

Spa had the advantage of the breeze in the opening half, and were first on the scoreboard as David Spillane kicked the opening point. The first goal came in the 7th minute, Gary Vaughan on a sprint forward and played into Shane Cronin who rattled the net. Jamie Sullivan raised the white flag for the visitors before the David Spillane finished the second Spa goal in the 10th minute. A third goal was almost in the back of the net but Evan Cronin’s kick floated just high of the crossbar for a point, and Evan added another point a minute later. As the first quarter was coming to an end, Spa had worked up a 2-4 to 0-1 lead.

Legion settled better in the second quarter and kicked over four points without reply - James O’Donoghue with two, Ryan O’Grady with a free and Luke O’Donoghue with a point that skimmed the top of the crossbar. Michael Foley and Finbarr Murphy exchanged points before Spa added two more scores before the break from Cian Murphy and Cian Tobin. At half time, Spa had the advantage at 2-7 to 0-6.

As the second half began, Finbarr Murphy and James O’Donoghue added two points for Legion but Spa responded quickly, Conor Stack adding the next Spa score. Again Spa were threatening the Legion goal, Cian Tobin’s goal shot came back off the crossbar but the rebound was collected by Spa again with Cian Murphy adding a point. David Spillane, Niall McCarthy and Evan Cronin swapped scores Jamie O’Sullivan and James O’Donoghue to make it 2-12 to 0-10 with just a few minutes left on the clock.

Legion did get a goal shot in but James Devane cleared the danger and Ryan O’Carroll increased the Spa lead at the other end. Cian Murphy added another point and Legion replied with scores from Thomas Moriarty and James O’Donoghue (2). Evan Cronin kicked the last score of the day and the game finished Spa 2-15 Legion 0-13.

Spa are home again next weekend in Rd3 against Kerins O’Rahillys (Saturday April 9th at 6.30pm).

Spa: James Devane, Eric O’Donoghue, Brian Lynch, Ryan O’Carroll (0-1), Conor Stack (0-1), Shane Cronin (1-0), Mikey Moynihan, Michael Foley (0-1), Gary Vaughan, Liam Kearney, Evan Cronin (0-5), Niall McCarthy (0-1), David Spillane (1-2), Cian Murphy (0-3), Cian Tobin (0-1). Subs: Eoin Cronin, Ciaran Spillane, Thomas Cronin, Donagh Fahy, Rian O’Neill

Legion: Brian Kelly, Cian Gammell, Danny Sheahan, Sean McCarthy, Peter O’Sullivan, Jonathan Lyne, Darragh O’Doherty, Padraig Lucey, Jamie O’Sullivan (0-2), Rob Leen, Finbarr Murphy (2), Denis Sheahan, Ryan O’Grady (0-1), James O’Donoghue (0-6), Luke O’Donoghue (0-1). Subs: Sam Benson, Thomas Moriarty (0-1)

Referee: Brendan Brosnan (Glenflesk)

Photos: Anne Holland