SFC: Goals fuel O'Mahonys win
April 08, 2018
Cormac McGuinness - Navan O'Mahonys
Navan O'Mahonys outgoaled Na Fianna in this SFC Group B fixture at Trim early on Sunday afternoon
O'Mahonys ....... 4-14
Na Fianna ......... 1-7
Kevin Reilly's men secured the points in the latter end of the first-half before kicking-on in the third quarter to finish with 16 points to spare.
There was just a goal between the sides, 1-4 to 0-4, after 20 minutes. By the 43rd minute the board read 4-9 to 0-6.
Na Fianna's best forward Sean Martin softened the scoreline with a brilliant solo goal in the 49th minute. It proved to be his side's penultimate score.
O'Mahonys closed the scoring with four unanswered points Had Stephen Bray 55th minute goal attempt not been denied by Shane Geraghty's brilliant save it would have matched Martin's score as the opening was created by Robbie Keeleghan's wonderful crossfield ball.
But for Geraghty's efforts, O'Mahonys winning margin would have been greater. When the sides met in a SFC preliminary quarter-final fixture last autumn, the Navan-men won out after extra time. Na Fianna prevailed narrowly in a Division 1 FL clash at Paddy O'Brien back six weeks ago.
Na Fianna lost corner-back James Geagan to his second card early in the third quarter. By then the contest was long over.
Cathal Smyth replaced the injured David Bray at half-time and made an immediate impact netting his side's third goal within a minute of the restart. His initial shot was parried by Geraghty who could do nothing about the second attempt. The sub then raised a white flag to leave a dozen points in it.
Martin and Dan Queeney (free) pulled two points back for the south county side. Robbie Keeleghan got O'Mahonys fourth goal with an assist from the industrious Darragh Maguire.
In damp conditions, Na Fianna opened the scoring with a third minute point from captain Conor Downey. Seconds later Darragh Smyth levelled matters through Darragh Smyth.
The Brews Hill side got a big break in the sixth minute when Cormac McGuinness rounded Geraghty to net. Conor Finnegan and Stephen Bray assisted in the score.
Geraghty comfortably kept out a Robbie Keeleghan effort 10 minutes in. O'Mahonys moved five points clear early in the second quarter as conditions dampened.
Na Fianna got back to within a goal of the Navan-side by the 20th minute courtesy of points from Michael Collins and Sean Martin.
O'Mahonys finished the half with a flourish. Dylan Regan's 28th minute goal coming after a Keeleghan delivery rebounded of an upright. The latter closed the first-half scoring following a foul on David Bray.
Next up for O'Mahonys is a meeting with promoted Curraha while Na Fianna will face Gaeil Colmcille.
O'Mahonys - Marcas Brennan; James O'Malley (0-1), Niall McKeigue, Darragh Smyth (0-1); James O'Reilly, Gary O'Brien, Ross Geraghty (0-1); Conor Finnegan, Cormac McGuinness (1-0); Darragh Maguire, Paul Whelehan (0-1), Dylan Regan (1-4, 0-1 f, 0-1 45); Robbie Keeleghan (1-2, 1 f), David Bray (0-1), Stephen Bray (0-1). Subs - Cathal Smyth (1-2) for D Bray (ht), Andy Leech for O'Malley (47)
Na Fianna - Shane Geraghty; James Geagan, Evan Mullally, Dan Devine; Sean Rafferty, Anthony Neary, Oran Smullen; Owen McDonnell, Michael Collins (0-1);Conor Downey (C) (0-1). Ethan Devine, Sean Martin (1-3); Lee Hyland, Dan Queeney (0-1 f), Christy Cosgrove. Subs - Peter Slevin for Hyland (ht), Dean Barrett (0-1) for Smullen (ht), Damien Downey for Cosgrave (47), Johnny Baldwin for Rafferty (57).
Referee - Padraig Coyle (Seneschalstown)
