IHC semi-final: Na Fianna are back in the final
September 22, 2018
Na Fianna's Sean Martin with Gearoid O'Brien Wolfe Tones during the Meath IHC semi final at Pairc Teailteann
Na Fianna 1-15 Wolfe Tones 1-13
After losing out to Navan O’Mahonys in a replay Na Fianna find themselves back in the Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship final with this two point win over Wolfe Tones at Pairc Tailteann.
Barry Slevin opened the scoring after 5 minutes but by the 10th minute Wolfe Tones led 0-3 to 0-2 with fine scores from Donal Keogan, Stephen Sheppard and Eanna O’Kelly. Na Fianna grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck between the 24th and 31st minute scoring 1-4 without reply to take a 1-9 to 0-6 lead to the dressing room at half time. The impressive Ronan Byrne got the goal after a mix up in the Tones defence.
Full forward Mark Slevin increased the lead with the opening score of the second half but the Tones were right back in the game by the 4th minute with a Eanna Harrington point and a goal from O’Kelly Lynch.
Great points from Barry Slevin (2) and Sean Martin (2) kept the scoreboard ticking over for the winners. Three points separated the teams at the midway point 1-13 to 1-10. Thomas O’Reilly and Harrington pointed to narrow the gap to two with five minutes remaining but that’s as close as the Tones got and Na Fianna held on to qualify for another final.
Best for the winners were Sean Coffey, Daniel Gleeson, Ronan Byrne, Barry Slevin, Diarmuid Bailey and Sean Martin while Gerry Farrelly, Donal Keogan, Eanna O’Kelly Lynch, Stephen Sheppard and Eanna Harrington impressed for Wolfe Tones.
Na Fianna will play the winners of tomorrows semi final between Gaeil Colmcille and Clann Na nGael.
Na Fianna: Eoin Reilly, Sean Coffey, Evan Mullally, Ethan Devine, Stephen Slevin, Daniel Gleeson, Noel O’Sullivan, Barry Slevin 0-6, Ronan Byrne 1-1, Jonathan McCloskey 0-1, Diarmuid Bailey, Cian Slattery, Sean Martin 0-4, Peter Slevin 0-1, Mark Slevin 0-2. Sub: Kean Flynn
Wolfe Tones: Alan Browne, Gearoid O Brien, Gerry Farrelly, Robert Hoey, Conor Sheppard, Donal Keogan 0-1, Killian O’Brien, James Macken, Thomas O’Reilly 0-1, Eanna O’Kelly Lynch 1-2, Stephen Sheppard 0-2, Alan Callaghan, Donal Curtis, Eanna Harrington 0-7, Gary McFadden.
Referee: Stephen Masterson
