SFC: Na Fianna rally secures win
April 22, 2018
Gaeil Colmcilles Barry Tormay with Barry Slevin Na Fianna during the Meath SFC game at Pairc Tailteann
A final quarter showing saw Na Fianna overcome Gaeil Colmcille in this SFC second rouind clash at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening.
Na Fianna ............... 0-17
Gaeil Colmcille ........ 0-15
The scores were tied seven times before late points from Dan Queeney and Michael Collins settled matters. Na Fianna outscored the Kells-men by 0-6 to 0-1 in the final quarter.
The outcome revives Na Fianna's campaign following that 16-point loss to Navan O'Mahonys first time out. The manner in which the result was achieved is a further boost to the men from Enfield, Baconstown and Rathmolyon.
For much of the hour, Gaeil Colmcille looked set to build on their first round win over Summerhill. They held the upper hand in the second and third quarters.
Gaeil Colmcille led by 0-10 to 0-6 early in the third quarter. Quick-fire points in the 37th minute from Anthony Neary and Sean Martin revived Na Fianna.
Na Fianna whittled the deficit to the minimum on two occasions over the remainder of the third quarter with Martin registering both scores.
Gaeil Colmcille revived their challenge with a trio of points inside five minutes. Brian Hanlon - who finished with six points - posted two of them, one from a free from about 50 metres from the old swimming pool goal.
Oisin Reilly completed the sequence in the 47th minute to leave the board reading 0-14 to 0-11. The respite proved only temporary as Na Fianna took control over the final quarter.
Ethan Devine was an influential figure for Na Fianna both at midfield and in attack in this phase. Meanwhile, their rearguard worked diligently to limit chances for Gaeil Colmcille.
Seconds after levelling matters for the seventh and final time, Martin Barrett was off target with a point attempt. Na Fianna capitalised on the reprieve with the late match-winning scores.
The open opening quarter saw the scores tied four times with Na Fianna leading three times to Gaeil Colmcille's once.
A fine Ethan Devine effort restored Na Fianna's lead early in the second quarter. The Kells-men responded with five points on the spin. Brian Hanlon's 21st minute effort that left his side 0-7 to 0-5 to the good was the first score from a free in the hour.
That sequence included a trio of scores in a row from Hanlon. The final one in the sequence left it 0-9 to 0-5. The sides exchanged pointed frees before the break.
Na Fianna - Shane Geraghty; James Geagan, Evan Mullally, Johnny Baldwin; Christy Cosgrave, Anthony Neary (0-1), Dan Devine; Owen McDonnell, Ethan Devine (0-4); Michael Collins (0-2), Dan Queeney (0-1), Conor Downey (C) (0-4fs); Barry Slevin, Dean Barrett (0-1), Sean Martin (0-4). Subs - Peter Slevin for Geagan (26), Damien Downey for Collins (60 + 2).
Gaeil Colmcille - Justin Carry Lynch; Paul Tormay, Barry Tormay, Jordan Muldoon; Liam Ferguson, Johnny Quigley, James Reilly; Cian Doogan, Seanie Curran; Oisin Reilly (0-2), Martin Barrett (0-5), Barry Smith (0-1); Fionn Ferguson, Seamus Mattimoe (0-1f), Brian Hanlon (0-6, 4fs). Subs - Stevie McManus for Quigley (20), Cormac Keegan for Doogan (39), Stephen Reddy for Ferguson (46), Conall Courtney for Mattimoe (bc 53).
Referee - Patrick Coyle (Curraha).
