IHC: two in a row for Na Fianna
July 25, 2016
Na Fianna on the attack against Drumree
Na Fianna 1-14
Drumree 0-14
Na Fianna edged Drumree in this keenly contested intermediate hurling match played at Boardsmill on Friday evening with their second victory from as many outings.
It was Drumree who took the early initiative pointing from the throw in. Na Fianna then took control and led by six points to one after 15 minutes. Barry Slevin was a real thorn in the Drumree defence accounting for five of these points , three from play and two coming from placed balls while David Kirby getting the other point.
Na Fianna then suffered a blow when ace marksman Barry Slevin was forced off injured but his replacement Ethan Devine was to have a telling contribution.
For the remainder off the first half, Drumree then took control by out scoring their opponents by eight points to one. David Kirby on target with a free but Na Fiannna trailed by 9 points to 7 at half time.
Na Fianna started the second half well with four unanswered points. David Kirby was to the fore and his move to centre forward was vital for them regaining the lead. Three frees and one from play by Kirby had Na Fianna ahead by 11 points to 9.
David Kirby pointed from play in between two frees from Drumree as Na Fianna held a slender one point advantage.
Na Fianna captain Eoin Reilly made a crucial reflex save in goals to keep his side ahead. The only goal of the game arrived shortly after with Will Flynn showing great pace and composure when cutting from the right hand side before passing to Ethan Devine who guided the sliotar to the net as Na Fianna now led by 1-12 to 0-11 with ten minutes remaining.
Drumree again responded with two frees. The influential Kirby pointed from play and then a soaring effort by centre back Peter Slevin had Na Fianna 4 points up.
Drumree responded with a pointed free but could not find an equalising goal as Na Fianna held on for a slender 1-14 to 0-14 win in a competitive and entertaining encounter.
Best for Na Fianna was Eoin Reilly, Mark Burke, Ronan Byrne, Diarmuid Bailey, Will Flynn and David Kirby.
Na Fianna: E Reilly (captain), M Burke, D Gleeson, C Cosgrove, N O'Sullivan, P Slevin (0-1), R Byrne, E Mullally, D Bailey, S Burke, N Reilly, J McCloskey, B Slevin (0-5, 0-3f). D Kirby (0-8, 0-4f) & W Flynn. Subs: E Devine (1-0) for Slevin & D Curran for O'Sullivan.
