Butterly keeps Barrs on top of the table

NAOMH Fionnbarra moved a point clear at the top of Division 2 after a one-point victory over fellow promotion hopefuls, St Fechins at Beaulieu with Jack Butterly scoring a late point to complete an impressive comeback.

Played in conditions perfect for football the Barrs had a blistering start with two good points from play from William Woods inside the first minute with good build up- play for both. The Fechins hit back with scores from Ryan Sheridan and Colm O’Neill but Woods responded to put his side two clear. That advantage became five on ten minutes when Woods scored the first goal from a penalty.

However the home side took a grip on proceedings and scored 2-4 without reply as Brian and Niall Devlin hit the net to help their side lead by 2-6 to 1-5 at half time.

The Barrs made the better start to the second half with another goal from a William Woods penalty on 33 minutes.

On 10 minutes Woods knocked over another free leaving just the minimum between the sides. Again the Fechins gained the upper hand around the middle and with the help of points from Jamie King and Niall Devlin they had a healthy six point lead with four minutes remaining.

The hosts looked certain to claim victory at that stage but the Finbarrs had other ideas and as the midfield started to gain superiority they gained some good momentum. Woods started off the comeback with an excellent 45. He followed this up with a well taken point from play and then a free leaving a goal in it.

The Togher men were going for broke at this stage and a high ball into the square was flicked to the net by corner back Hugh McGrane levelling the tie. The game was now in injury time but there was still time for Chris McGlynn to win the kick out and feed Jack Butterly who sent a long range point sailing over the bar.

NAOMH FIONNBARRA: Michael McCardle; Hugh McGrane 1-0, Kieran Lenehan, Patrick McGrane; Bryan Sharkey, Óisìn McGee, Hugh Osborne; John Doyle, Darren McConnon; Máirtìn Murphy, Conor Osborne, Pádraig Butterly; Jack Butterly 0-2, Gary Matthews, William Woods 2-9. Subs: Chris McGlynn for G Matthews.

FECHINS: PAUL King; Leo McGrane, Richard McDonnell, Niall McCabe; Ryan Sheridan 0-1, David Collier, Eoghan Duffy; Dermot McConnell, Brendan Fanning; Niall Devlin 1-2, Colm O’Neill 0-1, Brian Devlin 1-3; Danny Burnell 0-1, Jamie King 0-5, Conor Haughney. Subs: Marc Hines, Joe Corrigan and Conor Philips.