Naomh Fionnbarra/Lannleire Minor team recorded a comprehensive victory over Clogherhead Dreadnots in the Minor B Championship Final Sunday 4th October.  Played in good underfoot conditions, there was a fairly strong breeze blowing from the Hospital end to the North Road end goals.  The combination side started brightly with 2 Liam Callan points within the first 5 minutes.  The Dreadnots replied with 2 points of their own and the sides were level after 10 minutes.  The Dreadnots upped it a gear over the next five minutes and scored a fisted goal by Aaron Scullion after 13mintes followed by a well struck goal from a penalty by midfielder Armando Sulamanaj a minute later to give the Clogherhead side a 2-2 to 0-2 lead.

The Togher/Dunleer side fought back bravely with a great catch by Ben Holdcroft and some good interplay on the right wing finished with a well taken Hugh Osborne point after 16 minutes.  The Finbarrs/Lannleire winger Conal Maher raced through the heart of the Dreadnots defence and scored a good point on 17 minutes followed by a 30m free from the left wing by Liam Callan a minute later.  The combination side were dominating at this stage and were unlucky not to profit from a great fielding by Brendan Murphy as Niall Woods kicked wide under pressure.  After another good catch in the middle of the field, Hugh Osborne laid off to Conal Maher, who again made a good run through the Clogherhead defence.  His shot was well saved by the Dreadnots goal keeper however Caolan Leech was on hand to tap the ball into the net after 21 minutes, leaving the score level again at 1-5(8) to 2-2(8).

The Dreadnots in fairness showed their mettle and scored a good point from play on 23 minutes.  Brendan Murphy kicked the equaliser a minute later only for the Clogher men to regain the lead with another point from play.  The Dreadnots goal keeper then made a fantastic save from an Aaron Callan snap shot.  Hugh Osborne showed another string to his bow with a point from a brilliantly struck 45m kick to level the game for the 4th time.  Another well taken Brendan Murphy point followed on 28 minutes gave the Naomh Fionnbarr/Lannleire side the lead for the first time since the 10th minute.  With the responding Dreadnots attack James Torris made a great save to keep the combination side ahead at the break.  Overall it was a hard fought first half by 2 evenly matched teams.  Half time score:  Naomh Fionnbarra/ Lannleire 1-8(11) Dreadnots 2-4(10).

The second half again started brightly for the Togher/Dunleer side as Ben Holdcroft tapped down the throw in to Hugh Osborne who cut straight through the Clogherhead defence to score a great point within 20 seconds.  The combination side were slowly but surely turning the screw and after 33minutes Ben Holdcroft lobbed a shot to the back of the Dreadnots net for a second goal to give his side a 5 point lead.  Dreadnots repsonded with a 21m free a minute later.  During this period good defending from the Finbarrs/Lannleire backs kept the Clogher attacks at bay.

A clever interception and a brilliantly taken goal by Hugh Osborne with the left foot on 40 minutes put the combination side in a commanding position.  Another brilliant save from James Torris after 45 minutes gave a great lift to the team and the Barr's/Lannleire side bounced up the field in brilliant fashion.  A good long ball into the heart of the dreadnots defence found Caolan Leech who took on his man with a direct run and scored a great goal after 46 minutes.  The Togher/Dunleer side were in total control at this stage and increased their lead further to 11 with a point from play on the left wing by Conal Maher.

The Dreadnots awoke from their slumber and scored 3 good points in a row from Armando Sulamanaj (2) and Ruairi Murphy.  The 3rd point was a goal bound shot by Sulamanaj which was brilliantly deflected over the bar by Michael McArdle.  The combination side weren't going to rest on their laurels and scored 2 good long range points from play by Liam Callan, the first after good work by the industrios Ben Holdcroft.  The final score of the game came from a well taken Armando Sulamanaj point for the Dreadnots who never gave up the fight.

Stronger defending from the Naomh Fionnbarra/Lannleire players in the second half was the basis for the win with Patrick McGrane, Ciaran Dunne, Brendan Simms and Michael McArdle prominent, along with an excellent goalkeeper in James Torris.  The midfield of Ben Holdcroft and Hugh Osborne were excellent throughout and gained domination over the Dreadnots pairing as the game wore on.  The pick of the forwards were Liam Callan, Brendan Murphy, Conal Maher and Caolan Leech while Niall Woods was hard working throughout.  The switch at half time where Aaron Callan went back into the defence strengthened the team.  Overall the better team won with the stronger Naomh Fionnbarra/Lannleire spine key to the victory.  Well done lads, hopefully this will be the start of a great week for the Naomh Fionnbarra club as the U-13 team play in the Division 4A league Final on Saturday and the Junior team play in the Final of the Junior Championship on Sunday.  Up the Barrs.

Naomh Fionnbarra/Lannleire team, NF denotes Naomh Fionnbarra, L denoted Lannleire: James Torris (L), Jason Torris (L), Ciaran Dunne (L), Conor Kirwan (L), Michael McArdle (NF), Patrick McGrane (NF), Brendan Simms (NF), Ben Holdcroft 1-0 (L), Hugh Osborne 1-3(1 45)(NF), Conal Maher 0-2 (L), Liam Callan 0-4 (1 f) (L), Aaron Callan (L), Naill Woods (NF), Caolan Leech 2-0 (NF), Brendan Murphy 0-2 (NF).  Subs:  Sean Keenan for Conor Kirwan HT, Gearoid Conlon for Niall Woods 51 minutes.

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