Played in sunny conditions excellent for football, Naomh Fionnbarra B played St. Marys Ardee B in the round 8 of the Division 4 League at Pairc Mhuire, Ardee on Friday evening.  The Barrs made the brighter start with the first score via a well struck long range free from Hugh Osborne.  The Marys responded and took control with the next 4 points from play.  The Barrs were battling bravely and were rewarded with a very good point from play by Hugh Osborne after a move running the length of the field from Shane O'Briens kick out.  The Marys then took complete control and scored 1-5 from play without reply to take a commanding lead.  Once a again it was Hugh Osborne who responded with a long range free after some good build up play by the Togher forwards.  The Ardee men kicked the final score of the half, a point from play.  Half time score: Naomh Fionnbarra B 0-3(3) St. Marys Ardee B 1-10(13).

Maybe it was the break in play, the magic water at half time, the team talk or just a bit of stubborn resistance but as the cliché goes this was definately a game of two halves.  The Barrs scored first after the interval with a point from play by Chris McGlynn from the left wing to reduce the deficit to 9.  The Marys in fairness continued from where they left and scored 2 more points from play, increasing their lead to 11 and things began to look ominous for the Barrs.  However, the Finbarrs showed a bit of grit and character to respond with a point off the post from Pádraig Murphy.  The Mary's responded again to keep the lead at 11 points.  Another good point from play from Murphy finished a move running the length of the field involving Brendan Simms, Michael McGrane, Colin McGrane, Hugh McGrane and Andy McCann as the Barrs finally started to kick into gear.  Conor Osborne struck a quick fire point from the ground over the bar.  The Finbarrs upped the tempo and Hugh Osborne lobbed a shot over the Marys keeper into the back of the net after a good ball in from Andy McCann.  Some good defending by the Togher men repelled the attacks of the Ardee men and Hugh Osborne tapped over a 14m free after a good break up the field.  

At this stage the Marys lead was reduced to 5 and the come back of the year was most definitely on.  In fairness, the Marys were not lying down without a fight and scored a point from play to increase their lead once again.  Back again came the Barrs and not to be outdone by his brother Conor Osborne sold an audacious dummy and scored a screamer of a goal, in off the post, from 21 metres, to put the game firmly in the melting pot.  Once again the Marys broke up the field and Shane O'Brien made a great save, which was followed up by melée involving many of the players after which one of the Marys subs was sent off.  Unfortunately, the Ardee men scored the next point from play to increase the lead to 4.  Good interpaly between the Osbornes Conor and Hugh led to a point from Conor to reduce the lead to 3 once again.  However, its was too little too late as the Mary's tagged on one final point from a free and the Barrs were to rue a poor first half display.  All players must be commended on the battling performance especially those who played when injured.  Final score:  Naomh Fionnbarra B 2-9(15) St. Marys Ardee B 1-16(19)

Naomh Fionnbarra scorers:  Hugh Osborne 1-4(3f), Conor Osborne 1-2, Pádraig Murphy 0-2, Chris McGlynn0-1.

Naomh Fionnbarra B Team: Shane O'Brien, Michael McGrane, Hugh McGrane, Brendan Simms; Matthew Monaghan, Hugh Osborne, Chris McGlynn; Colin MgGrane, Andy McCann; Máirtín Murphy, Conor Osborne, Peter Markey; Caolan Leech, Pádraig Murphy, Shane Fanning. 

Earlier in the week on Tuesday evening Naomh Fionnbarra played Newtown Blues in the Quarter Final of thePaddy Sheelan Shield.  With numbers in short supply the lads put in a battling performance and were unlucky in the end.  Hard luck lads.  Half time score:  Naomh Fionnbarra 1-3(6) Newtown Blues 1-4(7).  Final score:  Naomh Fionnbarra 2-8(14)Newtown Blues 3-8(17).  

Naomh Fionnbarra scorers:  Bernard Osborne 1-2, Stuart Osborne 1-0, Darren McConnon 0-2, Mairtin Murphy 0-1, Conor Osborne 0-1, Andy McCann 0-1, and Oisen McGee 0-1

Naomh Fionnbarra Team: Shane O'Brien, Bryan Sharkey, Conor Lenihan, Hugh McGrane; Chris McGlynn,Hugh Osborne, Pádraig Butterly; Darren McConnon, Colin McGrane; Máirtín Murphy, Stuart Osborne, Conor Osborne; Bernard Osborne, Andy McCann, Óisín McGee.  Subs:   John Doyle for Chris McGlynn, Martin O'Neill for Conor Lenihan, Caolan Leech for Stuart Osborne.

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