Defending champions Mohill set down a marker on the opening weekend of the Connacht Gold Senior Football Championship as they brushed aside an under strength Allen Gaels side in Philly McGuinness Park on Saturday evening on a scoreline of 6-14 to 1-5.

Despite the scoreline Mohill never really looked like they moved out of second gear at all as two goals in the first seven minutes from county stars Keith Beirne and Keith Keegan indicated how this game was likely to go.

The third major from Jordan Reynolds just after the ten minute mark, leaving the home side eleven points ahead of Colin Moran's single score for the Gaels. In boxing parlance it would have had the referee stepping between the opponents and calling the contest as a technical knockout. No such luck for the Drumshanbo men who had to weather the hurricane in their faces for the next fifty minutes.

Shorn of almost a dozen first team players through injury, holidays and educational commitments and boasting a large number of teenagers making their first senior championship start for the club it was to be a baptism of fire for the Drumshanbo youngsters you just couldn't deal with the firepower of the Mohill forwards.

Mohill were in complete control of the game from those early exchanges and a trio of second half goals would cement the result for Liam Keenan's side. A brace of goals for Ronan Kennedy and a last minute strike for Jordan Reynolds which would help push the scoreline to a twenty four point gap at Mick McGirl's final whistle.

There were some bright spots in small patches for Allen Gaels particularly in the early exchanged of the second half and if they can improve their consistency they could avoid what looks like it could develop into a tough attempt to avoid a relegation playoff.

The experience of Diarmuid McKiernan, Wayne Gunning and Martin Raftery coupled with the potential of Colin Moran, Conor Flood and Emmet Moran who have the potential to become key players for the club in the near future.