Naomh Fionnbarra 2-11(17)
Roche Emmets 1-18(21)

Naomh Fionnbarra suffered a 4-point defeat to Roche Emmets at Roche on Thursday evening in the 6th Round of the Division 2 League.  Played in calm, sunny conditions excellent for football, the Roche men raced out of the blocks with the first 6 points registered, all from play within 7 minutes.  A point from a free and another from play by Thomas McCreesh provided some respite but the Faughart men kicked a free to leave them 5 points to good at the first water break.

Roche continued where they left off after the water break with another couple of points from play, while all the Finbarrs could muster in reply was a Thomas McCreesh free.  Sloppy play by the Togher men around the middle third didn't help when trying to build attacks and the backs gave the Roche men too much time and respect.  Both sides swapped frees with the Barrs score coming from the boot of McCreesh once again.  Half time score: Naomh Fionnbarra 0-4(4) Roche Emmets 0-11(11).

The half time break seemed to steady the Togher men and they started to compete better all over the field in the second half.  Another free from McCreesh was cancelled out a minute later with a Roche free.  A good goal chance for Kalum Regan which was blocked and a couple of wides by the Togher men at this stage stalled their momentum.  McCreesh again scored another free and the Finbarrs were starting to claw their way back into the game.  A brilliant goal was scored by Hugh McGrane after a flowing move the length of the field which he flicked to the net ignited the game.  Another free from the reliable McCreesh after 42 minutes reduced the deficit to 2 and it was game on.  In fairness to the Roche men they came back immediately with a point from play and then both sides exchanged scores prior to the water break.  This time the Barrs score was a fabolous point from play by McCreesh, leaving 3 points between the sides at the 2nd water break.

2 more McCreesh frees sandwiched a Roche point to leave 2 between the sides.  Unfortunately, around this time a free was missed which was not taken by McCreesh as he had to leave the field to get his gum shield.  Roche then carved open the Togher defence to score a well taken goal to increase the lead back to 5 points.  This came slightly against the run of play and stalled the Finbarrs momentum.  However, the Togher men showed grit and character to keep fighting and stay in the game with a well taken point by Stephen O'Reilly. This was cancelled out by another Roche score. 

A lovely long ball by Conor Osborne into Ciaran Markey created a goal chance but it was unlucky that the ball took a deflection away.  Another ball into the square saw Hugh McGrane and the Roche goalkeeper collide as the Barrs threw the kitchen sink at them.  From the resulting free lobbed into the square the ball ended in the back of the net from the trusty boot of Darren McConnon after a goalmouth scramble.  this left 2 between the sides with only a few minutes remaining.  However the Faughart men took the sting out of the game with 2 more well taken points.  Final score: Naomh Fionnbarra 2-11(17) Roche Emmets 1-18(21).  

Up next in the Division 2 League is the game v O'Raghallaigh in John Markey Park, Ballygassan on Tuesday 3rd August at 8:00pm.

Naomh Fionnbarra team: Michael McArdle; Oisin Madden,  Brendan Simms, Colum Kierans; Kalum Regan, Colin McGrane, James Butterly; Josh Crosbie,  Stephen O’Reilly 0-1; Hugh McGrane 1-0, Conor Osborne, Adam Hanratty, ; Ciaran Markey 0-1(f), Hugh Osborne, Thomas McCreesh 0-10 (8f).  Subs: Darren McConnon for Hugh Osborne, Mairtin Murphy for Adam Hanratty, Conor Boyle for Ciaran Markey, Ciaran Boyle for Hugh McGrane. 

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