Barrs cruise to derby victory to snatch top

NAOMH FIONNBARRA O’CONNELLS 1-18 1-10

NAOMH Fionnbarra qualified for the Division 2 play-offs when they had an eight-point victory over O’Connells at Ballygassan on Sunday afternoon.

The home side raced into a three-point lead with scores from John Doyle and a brace of frees from William Woods after eight minutes before Robert Quigley replied with two points.

A goal from Paul McKeever and two further points had the O’Connells in a commanding 1-4 to 0-3 lead on 20 minutes.

However, the home side finished the half better and points from Bryan Sharkey and a brace of frees from Woods saw them go in at the break just one point behind, 1-6 to 0-8.

The teams were level two minutes into the second half with a point from Woods and that was the signal for the hosts to take command as Bernard Osborne converted from the penalty spot to put his team 1-11 to 1-6 in front.

It got no better for the Bellingham team when they were reduced to 14 when Salem Rifaie received a black card to go along with a yellow he got earlier. Woods increased the lead to seven with two points one an excellent 45. O’Connells got their first point of the second half from Quigley after 52 minutes and they added

Darren Meehan; Cormac three more from Jackie Agnew and two from McKeever to leave three between the sides 1-13 to 1-10 going into the last five minutes.

But it was the home team that pushed on and points from Woods his tenth of the game, Conor Osborne, Bryan Sharkey and a brace from James Butterly wrapped up the victory. Sharkey did receive a second yellow card right on the final whistle but the Barr’s moved into fourth place in the league table.