Na Fianna 2-19 St Michael's 1-08

Na Fianna advanced to the Junior C FC final with a scintillating defeat of St Michael's in Athboy on Sunday morning. Na Fianna had too much pace and power for their North Meath opponents and posted 2-18 of their total from play.

Na Fianna dominated the first half to claim a 0-9 to 0-2 lead at half time but the lead should have been more. Donal Curran (0-2), Dean Henrick and Michael Foley were among the scorers for Na Fianna in a powerful first half showing.

Michael's rallied well in the opening staged of the second half and got closer to their opponents, but Na Fianna kicked on with Damien Downey and Pauric Hogan finding the net.

Na Fianna advance to a final meeting with either Dunsany or Duleek/Bellewstown.

Na Fianna were best served by Evan Mullally, Dean Henrick, Damien Downey, Michael Foley, Pauric Hogan and Evan Henrick.

Na Fianna: Sean Coyle, Rob Walsh, Evan Mullally, Owen McDonnell, Ciaran Gilna, Tommy Cosgrave, Eoin Downey, Dean Henrick (0-3), Paddy Haslam, Damien Downey (1-03), Michael Foley (0-3), Lee Hyland (0-2), Pauric Hogan (1-03), Donal Curran (0-2), Paul Kennedy (0-2).

Subs used: Evan Henrick, Andy Glynn, Glen McDonnell (0-1), Josh Devine, Robert White.

St Michaels Report

St. Michaels 1-9, Na Fianna 2-19,

Na Fianna booked themselves a place in the Junior C final after this comfortable victory over St. Michaels in Athboy on Sunday morning. All the hallmarks for their victory were evident from an early stage as they dominated the middle third and led by 0-9 to 0-2 at the break. The return of Daithí Regan looked to have been a good omen for St. Michaels as he split the posts with his first touch in the opening minute, however Na Fianna soon settled and added 3 points in as many minutes to lead by two points after nine minutes. Johnny Reilly added St. Michaels only other score of the half after 12 minutes but Na Fianna then went into cruise control and added a further six points from play before the interval for a 0-9 to 0-2 lead which could have been greater had not Darren O'Connell pulled off a great save to deny them a certain goal on 20 minutes.

St. Michaels made the better start to the second half with unanswered points from John and Ben Farrell 0-1 each and Daithí Regan 0-2 to reduce the deficit to 3 points nine minutes into the half but again Na Fianna replied with 1-1 in a two minute spell to wipe out those early St. Michaels scores. Kevin Cassidy pulled one back from a free but once again there was no stopping Na Fianna as they followed up with a further 4 points before Paddy Clarke added a great effort from play on 50 minutes. The remaining 10 minutes belonged to Na Fianna as they added a further 1-5 to finish out the half. James Farrell had the last say for St. Michaels with a top quality finish to the net and the same player received his marching orders 4 minutes later in what was a poor day at the office for St. Michaels.

St. Michaels team & scorers: Darren O'Connell, Sean Gaffney, Dáithi O'Reilly, Anthony Briody, Tommy Moriarty, Paddy Callaghan, Thomas O'Brien, Paddy Clarke 0-1, John Farrell 0-1, Lee Morris, Johnny Reilly 0-2, Kevin Cassidy 0-1, Ben Farrell 0-1, Daithí Regan 0-3, Ronan Farrell. Subs: James Farrell 1-0 for Lee Morris, Brendan Ryan for Ronan Farrell, Alan Dolan for Brendan Ryan, Bernard O'Brien for Ben Farrell.

Report and photo Pascal Reilly.

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