St-gasp Finbarrs
after the restart, however, with two quick-fire points on 34 minutes, the scores coming from Hugh Osborne and Bernard Osborne.
Shortly after Woods reduced the deficit to two with a well taken ’45.
The match became scrappy after this and a stop/start affair, with a series of injuries occurring from robust challenges. This resulted in three yellow cards for the men in green and gold.
A Mark Hoey effort on 41 minutes was controversially adjudged to be a point when the Finbarrs felt it was clearly wide, and that left a goal between the sides again.
When the next score of the game came on 50 minutes from Marry to leave St Bride’s four points ahead, they were on the verge of securing victory. However, not to be undone, Naomh Fionnbarra replied in style with a brace from Woods and a further brace from Bernard Osborne to level proceedings.
On the stroke of full-time Aaron Hoey slotted over a free kick to give his side the edge, with added time fast approaching.
With a number of stoppages earlier, there was still time for more drama and as it happened the referee played three additional minutes.
Deep into this added time Woods again slotted over from a free kick, this time from the sideline. The next kickout was crucial, and the Togher men won it and the ball was fed to Woods. His avenue was blocked off and the ball was recycled by Padraig Butterly and then Conor Osborne who fed Hugh McGrane. He popped the ball to captain McGee who tapped the ball over the bar for the winning score.
On the final whistle moments later there were jubilant celebrations from the Finbarrs players and supporters who minutes earlier had believed they would be exiting the championship, while the Bride’s were left to reflect on a missed opportunity and must now focus on securing Division 1 football for next season. FINBARRS: Andy McCann; Hugh McGrane, Kieran Lenehan, Patrick McGrane; Conor Lenehan, Oisin McGee 0-1, Pádraig Butterly; Hugh Osborne 0-1, Darren McConnon; Máirtìn Murphy, Conor Osborne, Chris McGlynn; Jack Butterly 1-0, Bernard Osborne 0-3, William Woods 0-7 (4f). Sub: Nicholas Butterly for Chris McGlynn.
ST BRIDE’S: Darren Breen; Ronan Bailey, Laurence Steen, Conor Deane; Michael Keane, Andrew Smyth, Padraic Mackin; Mark Hoey 0-1, Alan Dunne; Sean Brennan 0-2, Aaron Hoey 1-3, Shane Devin; Sean Marry 0-2, Patrick Reilly, Kevin Hearty 1-0. Subs: Cillian Kirk for L Steen, David Kettle for P Mackin, Cathal Mc Kenna for A Dunne.