Barrs raise their game to see off Saints
NAOMH Fionnbarra recovered from a five-point deficit early in the second half before claiming victory over St Kevins in an absorbing Intermediate Championship battle in Ardee on Saturday evening.
The Ballygassan side looked to be on the ropes when the Kevins landed three quick-fire points at the start of the second half but they showed great character to drag themselves back into contention.
Well-taken goals from Jack Butterly and Hugh Obsorne saw them take control of the game and although the Kevins fought back in the closing stages, a wonderful point from William Woods sealed victory for the Barrs.
In what proved to be a game played with great intensity throughout, it was the Kevins who had the slight edge in the first half, without ever being able to shake off the Finbarrs challenge.
After a cagey opening, the Barrs did have the opening two points of the game through William Woods, but with the help of scores from Liam Boylan, Cian Callan and Lee Crosbie the Philipstown men levelled at four points each on 20 minutes.
The Kevins quick passing game through the middle really began to pay dividends at that stage and scores from Callan (2) along with efforts from the lively pair of Patrick Clarke and Shane Meade had them 0-8 to 0-4 ahead.
It wasn’t looking good for the Barrs at that stage but they dug deep and efforts from Hugh Osborne (2) and Woods cut the gap to 0-9 to 0-7 at the break.
Within four minutes of the restart to lead was out to five thanks to Lee Crosbie (2) and Callan and their side looked to be on course for victory.
However, the Finbarrs picked themselves up with a well-taken point on 38 minutes from Woods before a brilliant steal from Mairtin Murphy helped Woods set up Jack Butterly for the first goal of the game.
With the Ballygassan men now on top in the middle and the pairing of Woods and Butterly causing all sorts of problems, they soon levelled through Woods before Hugh Osborne burst through to fire in a second goal. Osborne added a point to make it 2-10 to 0-12 on 48 minutes.
Kevins had lost their way at that stage but they did manage to drag themselves back into contention when scores from Callan (2) and Shane Meade cut the gap to just one. However, they missed chances to level the game and were made pay when Woods sealed victory in injury time with a splendid point.
NH FIONNBARRA: Nicholas Butterly; Hugh McGrane, Kieran Lenehan, Niall Matthews; Bryan Sharkey, Oisin McGee, Conor Lenehan; Hugh Osborne 1-3, John Doyle; Mairtin Murphy, Conor Osborne 0-1, Patrick McGrane; Jack Butterly 1-0, Bernard Osborne, William Woods 0-7 (2f, 1 ‘45’). Subs: Darren McConnon for J Doyle, John Crosbie for N Woods.
ST KEVINS: Danny Crosbie; Matthew Downes, Aaron Khan, Michael Grogan; Dylan Maher, Enda McKenna, Patrick Duff; Seanie Crosbie, Sean Callan; Lee Crosbie 0-3, Liam Boylan 0-1, Cian Callan 0-6 (2f); Patrick Clarke 0-3, Shane Meade 0-2, Eoin McKenna. Subs: James Clarke for L Boylan, James Kierans for B Osborne, Barry Byrne for E McKenna.
REFEREE: Thomas Brennan.