Raising the 'Barr
December 30, 2010For the initial phase of the JFC, the twelve competing teams were divided into four groups of three. After a series of round-robin games, the top two from each section would progress to the quarter-finals, with the bottom team bowing out. When the draw was made for the group stage in February, Naomh Fionnbarra were pitted in Group One, along with Glen Emmets and Westerns. By beating the Reaghstown men in their first outing of the campaign, they assured themselves of progression to the last eight.
The Ballygassan men defeated Westerns by 3-12 to 0-7 in their first championship assignment in mid-July. Bernard Osborne hit eight points as the champions-elect prevailed despite playing within themselves.
With both sides already guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals, the prize at stake when the Finbarrs squared up to Glen Emmets on Sunday July 25th was top place in the group - and a date with Dowdallshill. By slipping to a 2-12 to 0-12 defeat, Naomh Fionnbarra were condemned to a trickier-looking quarter-final clash with St Fechins. But they would take that in their stride…
The Termonfeckin men - runners-up in 2009 - carried the favourite's tag for the quarter-final meeting at Dunleer on Sunday August 15th, but it was the men from Togher who produced an incisive display to win by two points, 1-10 to 1-8. Leading by 1-7 to 0-7 with just over five minutes remaining, Brendan Healy's charges looked on course for a comfortable success, but the Fechins turned the game on its head with 1-1 to lead by 1-8 to 1-7 with only three minutes left.
This was the first real test of Fionnbarra's championship credentials and they passed with flying colours as points from William Woods, Bernard Osborne and substitute Martin O'Neill propelled the Ballygassan battlers through to a semi-final meeting with neighbours Lannleire. The first four points had been shared but the 'Barrs trailed 0-4 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter. However, Bernard Osborne and Stuart Osborne ensured that it was a one-point game at the break, 0-5 to 0-4.
Supersub Woods' goal eight minutes after the restart set the Togher men on their way and there were a couple of dramatic twists near the end before a famous win was secured. Naomh Fionnbarra, 2010 Louth JFC quarter-final V St Fechins: Allan Matthews; Liam McDonnell, Colin McGrane, Paudie Butterly; Oisin McGee, Trevor Dolan, Kieran Murphy; John Doyle (0-1), Nicholas Butterly; Stuart Osborne (0-1), Martin Crosbie, Larry McEntee-Ryan; Bernard Osborne (0-4), Mark Rath, Damien Byrne. Subs: William Woods (1-2) for D Byrne, Fergal Leonard (0-1) for O McGee, Shane Fanning for K Murphy, Martin O'Neill (0-1) for L McEntee Ryan.
On a windy night in Ardee, young William Woods continued his superb form with a match-winning return of 1-6 as Lannleire were beaten by 2-15 to 1-14 - a result that sent Naomh Fionnbarra through to the 2010 Louth JFC decider. Lannleire started best and assembled an early three-point cushion, but county junior star Bernard Osborne kept the winners in touch with some nice scores.
The Finbarrs were playing with impressive fluidity and it was no surprise when they eventually carved an opening in the Dunleer defence halfway through the first half, with Liam McEntee-Ryan despatching clinically to the net. Bernard and Stuart Osborne tagged on points to make it 1-7 to 0-6 at the short whistle. Woods latched onto a John Doyle through-ball to register the winners' second major within seconds of the restart and the game was up for Lannleire when the corner forward added an instant point. Woods was on fire and he also added four points in succession as he almost single-handedly shot Lannleire out of the championship. He was ably assisted by captain Osborne, who stroked over six points.
Naomh Fionnbarra, 2010 Louth JFC semi-final V Lannleire: Allan Matthews; Liam McDonnell, Colin McGrane, Paudie Butterly; Fergal Leonard, Trevor Dolan, Oisin McGee; John Doyle (0-1), Nicholas Butterly; Stuart Osborne (0-1), Martin Crosbie, Larry McEntee-Ryan (1-0); Bernard Osborne (0-6), Mark Rath (0-1), William Woods (1-6). Subs: Ciaran Murphy, Damien Byrne and Shane Fanning.
Thus, the Finbarrs had qualified for the county final - a great achievement bearing in mind their disappointing displays in 2009, when they were early casualties in the main competition. Manager Brendan Healy knew a thing or two about county finals as he had been a member of the team that beat Sean McDermotts after a replay in the 2001 IFC decider and he stressed that his charges would at least have to match their quarter-final performance to have any chance on the big day.
As had been the case nine years earlier, McDermotts provided opposition in the final, having seen off Glen Emmets after a replay at the semi-final stage. As their opponents were bidding for a first championship win in 36 years, they were not going to be lacking motivation. Therefore, the 'Barrs had to roll up their sleeves one more time for the junior county final in Castlebellingham on the last Sunday of September. Worryingly, Bernard Osborne was an injury doubt in the run-up to the final, with an arm problem, but the attacking talisman was able to take his place in the starting XV and - just as he had done for Louth in the Leinster junior final - he settled the issue with a late, late goal.
The final seemed to be headed for a replay until Osborne intervened with the winning goal in injury time, sparking scenes of joyous celebration at The Grove. The situation had looked hopeless for the Finbarrs ten minutes into the second half as the Mountrush men were on a roll and had clipped over six consecutive scores to lead by four, 0-11 to 1-4. The winners also had substitute Oisin McGee red-carded ten minutes from the end, but still they managed to overcome the odds and eke out a dramatic victory.
Fergal Leonard's goal four minutes from the end had the teams level and then, right at the death, Osborne reacted quickest to a dropping ball into the danger area to lash home an unstoppable winning shot. It was a simply amazing climax to a match (as well as to the competition) and the Seans rallied desperately in search of an equalising goal only to be twice thwarted by heroic defending from John Doyle.
The winners were two adrift before Osborne settled them with their opening score on five minutes. Allan Matthews made a vital save and Osborne added another point before Mark Rath's 18th-minute goal saw the Finbarrs go in front, 1-2 to 0-4. William Woods added the point that had the Togher men ahead by 1-4 to 0-5 at the interval.
But the Seans were rampant on the resumption and six successive scores had them looking like winners all over. McGee got his second yellow card in the 51st minute and the game appeared to be up for Naomh Fionnbarra but Doyle, Martin Crosbie and Nicholas Butterly upped the ante in the midfield engine room and Woods fisted a point before Kieran Murphy picked out Fergal Leonard for the levelling goal - a drive to the roof of the net.
A replay seemed certain but Osborne had other ideas as he slammed home the winning goal before collecting the Christy Bellew Cup.
Naomh Fionnbarra, 2010 Louth JFC final V Sean McDermotts: Allan Matthews; Liam McDonnell, Colin McGrane, Padraig Butterly; Kieran Murphy, Trevor Dolan, Fergal Leonard (1-0); John Doyle, Nicholas Butterly; Stuart Osborne, Martin Crosbie, Larry McEntee-Ryan; Bernard Osborne (1-3), Mark Rath (1-0), William Woods (1-2). Subs: Stephen Byrne for L McDonnell, Oisin McGee for L McEntee-Ryan (h/t), Shane Fanning for S Byrne (38), Damien Byrne for M Rath.
Naomh Fionnbarra almost made it a famous double by going very close to winning promotion to Division Two. They finished second in Division Three and enjoyed play-off semi-final and final victories over Dowdallshill and Glen Emmets respectively before losing the Division Two promotion/relegation decider to Roche Emmets at The Grove on Sunday, November 7th.
The late Jim Rogers
During the year the club lost a great stalwart with the death of Jim (Jem) Rogers. Jim was a member of the St Colmcilles junior championship and Ranafast cup winners from 1950, also winning many more honours with the Colmcilles. Jim played in the early days with St Finbarrs, in later years serving the club as a team selector and committee member. He also represented his county on a number of occasions. He was also a great social man who enjoyed a drink, a chat and a song, and was a very popular man. Rest in peace Jem
Jimmy Sharkey retires
Also in the year past the club lost a great servant, with Jimmy Sharkey retiring from the club through ill health. Jimmy was involved with the club from shortly after its formation and in that time he filled many roles, as club chairman, team selector and committee member, but it was in his role as club PRO that he was best known. Apart from a couple of years break in the early 80s, he held this position from its inception in the late 70s until the end of 2009. All at the club were glad to see he made it to the Grove to see the junior championship win back in September. The club hopes he enjoys his retirement and is extremely thankful for his years of service Tweet
