St. Finbarr’s emerge winners with good last quarter
Barr’s opened with an early point by Stephen Sherlock from a free. Good play by Eoin Comyns led to a fine point by Adrian Murphy. Mallow had two points by Kevin Sheehan to draw level. The
Avondhu side also had three early wides. St Finbarr’s edged ahead again when a foul on Paul Harte led to a free by Sherlock. In the 20th minute good play by Darragh Comyns led to a fine point by Paul Harte. Cian O’Riordan pointed a Mallow free. They had a chance of levelling but good defending by the Barr’s held the lead. The home side moved 0-5 to 0-3 clear when good play by Ian O’Callaghan led to a brilliant point by Stephen Sherlock. Mallow’s James Loughrey broke up some good attacks before Mallow had their goal in the 29th minute when Kevin Sheehan and Eoin Stanton worked well for Pa Herlihy who netted from close range. In injury time Colin Lyons levelled for the Barr’s. Deep in injury time Cian O’Riordan and Stephen Sherlock exchanged great points that had the sides level at the break 1-4 to 0-7.
On the resumption Mallow hit the front when Cian O’Riordan and Ryan Harkin worked well for the inrushing Eoin Stanton who punched a point. Mallow followed with another point when James Loughrey, Mattie Taylor, Loughrey and Michael O’Rourke all worked well for Cian O’Riordan who kicked over. Barr’s sub Colin Keane pointed. St Finbarr’s should have goaled when Paul Harte was put through but his effort went narrowly wide. Stephen Sherlock levelled in the 39th minute from a free 1-6 to 0- 9. Mallow again hit the front when Killian O’Connor and Pa Herlihy worked well for John McGuinness who pointed from distance in the 4lst minute.
Mallow went 13 minutes without a score. In this period St. Finbarr’s did very well. Stephen Sherlock had three good points with Colm Scully working well for Cormac Holland to kick over and open up a lead 0-13 to 1- 7. Mallow had a pointed free in the 54th minute by Cian O’Riordan. Stephen Sherlock kicked his 9th point in the 57th minute. Entering injury-time Ryan Harkin worked well for Killian O’Connor who kicked over. Five minutes of injury time were played. Stephen Sherlock pointed a free ensuring victory for the Barr’s in the 65th minute.