Naomh Fionnbarra suffered a heavy 8-point defeat to neighbours O'Connells at The Grove, Castlebellingham on Sunday evening in the 3rd Round of the Division 2 League.  Played in dreary conditions, the Finbarrs started brightest.  The Togher men were dominating and were driving at the Castlebellingham defence, winning frees.  3 Thomas McCreesh frees and andother free from Ciaran Markey had the Togher men 2 points to good at the first water break.

The water break seemed to break the Barrs momentum as O'Connells gradually grew into the game as the Finbarrs mistakes increased.  Several sloppy handling errors and poor decision making gave the Castlebellingham men a platform from which to attack.  The O'Connells hit the next 3 points to take the lead while the Barrs equalised with a Daithai Woods 45.  A goal by Dean Stanfield just before the break was a great boost to the Castlebellingham men, as they went in at half time 3 points ahead.  Half time score: Naomh Fionnbarra 0-5(5) O'Connells 1-5(8).

The O'Connells continued to assert their dominance in the 3rd quarter as they scored 6 points as the Finbarrs could only offer 2 points by Adam Hanratty and from a Dathai Woods 45.  This left the Castlebellingham men 7 points to the good and they were coasting.  Once again sloppy play by the Barrs was their downfall as their attacks fell apart.  The O'Connells saw out the final quarter at their leisure as the goal that the Togher men craved failed to materialise.  A couple more points by James Butterly after a good move and Conor Osborne after a driving run were cancelled out by 3 further points from the Castlebellingham men.  Final score: Naomh Fionnbarra 0-9(9) O'Connells 1-14(17).  

Up next is the 4th Round of the Division 2 League v Hunterstown Rovers in John Markey Park, Ballygassan on Saturday 10th July at 7:30pm.

Naomh Fionnbarra team: Daithi Woods 0-2(2 45); Colin McGrane, Paddy McGrane, Kalum Regan; Adam Hanratty 0-1, Hugh McGrane, James Butterly; Josh Crosbie, Brendan Simms; Michael McArdle, Conor Osborne 0-1, Hugh Osborne; Stephen O’Reilly, Ciaran Markey 0-1(f), Thomas McCreesh 0-3 (3f).  Subs: Nicholas Butterly for Stephen O’Reilly (HT), Conor Boyle for Thomas McCreesh, Oisin Madden for Hugh Osborne, Ciaran Boyle for James Butterly. 

Tweet

Most Read Stories