Dunboyne 1-10
Na Fianna 1-8

History would have led you to believe this game was over before it started and this was certainly not the case. Anything can happen on the day if players believe in themselves and each other. While Na Fianna may have lost this game, they showed they are more than capable of putting it up to the big guns.

Na Fianna was first off the grid and applied serious pressure on Dunboyne's backs as a pass from Caroline Murphy resulted in Leah McNally opening the scoreboard. Na Fianna's Emma Coffey converted a free and followed up with a point from play.  At this stage Dunboyne hadn't scored. Sinead Hackett soon changed that by notching up two consecutive points, one from play and one from a placed ball. Sinead Hackett then hit a sucker punch by dropping a free into the back of the Na Fianna net. There was confusion between Na Fianna backs and spectators of both sides as they understood the referee called for a square ball. The goal stood so Na Fianna had to step it up again. It was proving difficult to break through Dunboyne's defence. Both teams exchanged points from placed balls and this was repeated just before half time.
Dunboyne 1-4, Na Fianna 0-5.

Dunboyne started this half the stronger with Sinead Hackett adding another point from a placed ball. Na Fianna came to grips with the pace of this half and worked tirelessly for each other to bridge the three point gap. Their backs and midfield supported each other and worked the ball up the pitch. The forwards applied pressure to Dunboyne's backs which resulted in a penalty for an infringement on Clare Flynn. Emma Coffey stepped up and slotted the ball over the black spot. Great link up play between Caroline Murphy and Emma Coffey set Leah McNally up to score and add to her personal tally. Hannah Bowman for Dunboyne brought off a save which Chloe Reilly tapped to the back of the net and put the Baconstown/Enfield side two points up. Two more frees to Dunboyne allowed Sinead Hackett bring the game level for the first time in this game. Mary Reilly brought off a superb save much to the relief of  Na Fianna. Fiona O'Neill ran at pace through Na Fianna's backs which allowed Dunboyne gain the upper hand and take a slender one point lead.. A foul on Kelly Martin gave Emma Coffey the opportunity to level the game which she did. The game was there for the taking. Unfortunately for Na Fianna and due to the determination of Sinead Hackett supported by the home team, she managed to split the Na Fianna defence and hit the ball over the crossbar. In the last minute of the game, Dunboyne were awarded a penalty and Sinead Hackett opted for the point. There was nothing more Na Fianna could do.

Na Fianna: M. Reilly, C. Reynolds, T. Cosgrave, M. Downey, C. Walsh, C. Coffey, A. Parkes, S. Ennis , A. Colgan, L. McNally (0-2), E. Coffey (0-6, 4F, 1P), M. Healy Cole , C. Reilly (1-0), C. Flynn , C. Murphy. Subs: K. Martin for C. Murphy (45 mins), J. Boggan, S. Kirby for C. Reilly (45mins) & Tara Geraghty

Dunboyne: H. Bowman, J. Furlong, E. Burke, B.Moran, M. Clince, L. Reilly, C. Barker, F.O'Neill (0-1), A. Coyne, A, Garvey, C. Coyne, L. Carroll, K.Carroll, S. Hackett (1-9, 7F, ), S. Clince. Subs: A. O'Neill, B. Reilly, K. Deens, C. Comiskey, C.Gilligan, E. Doherty.

Referee. Christy Rispin

Tweet

Most Read Stories