Na Fianna first team hurlers ended their 2016 campaign when defeating Drumree in the All County Hurling Division 2 Final played on Sunday in Trim.

Having won all of their 7 group games Na Fianna were keen to gain promotion to the division 1 hurling league for 2017.

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half, Na Fianna built up a considerable lead of 2-9 to 0-4 but had to withstand a strong come back by Drumree to prevail by a final score of 2-12 to 1-10.

Jonathan McCloskey got the opening score of the game and further points by David Kirby, Peter Slevin, McCloskey and two by Barry Slevin ( 1 from play and a free) before Drumree opened their own account as Na Fianna led by 6 points to 1 after 15 minutes.

Na Fianna were dominant at this stage but also had a number of wides. Jonathan McCloskey pointed his third point and a further free by Slevin before Drumree registered their second point as Na Fianna  led by 8 points to 2 after 20 minutes.

The next 2 scores was crucial as firstly Peter Slevin ran through the Drumree defence his effort was well saved initially by their goal keeper but Will Flynn was alert to the rebound to score the opening goal of the game.

Next Barry Slevin was fouled inside the square and he expertly netted the resulting penalty. Will Flynn pointed from play with the last two scores of the first half then coming from Drumree as Na Fianna built up a considerable lead after playing with the aid of strong breeze.

Barry Slevin opened up the scoring of second half with a free, then another point by Will Flynn but Drumree responded with 3 points of their own. Drumree then got their only goal of the game from a 21 yard free which left the score 2-11 to 1-7 with 15 minutes remaining.

Consistent pressure by Drumree as they then got the next 3 points to trail by 4 points with 5 minutes remaining. Solid defending by Na Fianna saw them see out the game and Barry Slevin pointed a late free in injury time to give Na Fianna a deserving win of 2-12 to 1-10.

Na Fianna: E Reilly. M. Burke, E. Mullally, C .Cosgrave,  N. O'Sullivan. D. Gleeson, S. Burke, D. Lyons, D. Bailey, J. McCloskey (0-3), P. Slevin(0-1), E. Devine, B.Slevin (1-5, 1-4f), D.Kirby (0-1), W.Flynn (1-2).
Subs: N. Reilly for D. Lyons, M. Slevin for E. Devine, M Kelly for C. Cosgrave & C. Slattery for M.Kelly.

Drumree Report

Na Fianna 2-12 Drumree 1-10

Drumree's final game of 2016 ended in defeat when they lost out to Na Fianna in the A HL Div. 2 Final in a very windy St. Lomans Park Trim. 

In what we're challenging conditions for both sides it was Na Fianna who played with the wind in the 1st half. They wasted little time in using this to their advantage and ran into a 6 point to no score lead after 15 minutes thanks to scores from Jonathan McCluskey & David Kirby. Drumree did have some early chances that they would rue as the game progressed, Josh Wall was very unlucky to see a rasper of a shot come back off the cross bar early on while they also missed two other guilt edge opportunities. 

They had to wait until the 18th minute for their 1st score when Brian Coughlan slotted over from a tight angle, Coughlan started very brightly & scored his & Drumree's 2nd after 23 minutes. They were finding the going tough as Na Fianna were keeping the scoreboard ticking over thanks to Will Flynn & Barry Slevin.

The game changing period came in a blistering 4 minute spell towards the end of the 1st half when Na Fianna struck for 2 goals in quick succession. The first came when goal keeper Ronan Gilsenan made an excellent save but unfortunately the first man to pounce on the rebound was Na Fianna man Will Flynn & the bundled it into the net. With the Drumree men still reeling from this Na Fianna smelled blood & a high ball into the heart of the Drumree defence moments later was won by Na Fianna's Barry Slevin who was unceremoniously dumped to the ground which resulted in a penalty for Na Fianna. He made no mistake & drove it to the bottom corner of the net giving Gilsenan no chance. 

Drumree did respond well with 2 late 1st half points from David Reilly & Josh Wall however as the half time whistle blew the score line was very one sided as it read Na Fianna 2-09 Drumree 0-04. 

With the wind at their back for the second half Drumree set about trying to claw back Na Fianna's lead. Brian Coughlan started where he left off in the 1st half by getting his sides first score of the half before Shane Troy landed a massive wind assisted 90 yard free to eat into the scoreboard. A goal soon followed when Troy riffled a 21 yard free to the net giving the wall of men in yellow & black no chance. This reduced the margin to 7 points & it looked like the comeback was on however Na Fianna steadied the ship & with some dogged defending the managed to hold their opponents scoreless for the next 13 minutes. By the time Drumree got their next score there was just 3 minutes of normal time left, Josh Wall would score their last 3 points with 2 from play & 1 from a free. As the clocked ticked down it was Na Fianna who still held a 5 point lead & ran out deserving winners. 

Best for Drumree were Brian Coughlan, Josh Wall & Paul Walsh. 

Drumree Team: Ronan Gilsenan, Paul Walsh, James Gaughan, Paul Kiernan, Johnny Gilsenan, Shane Troy (1-01), Garreth Rooney, Fearghal Delaney, Gavin Byrne, Josh Wall (0-04), Brendan Walsh, David Reilly (0-01), Mark Devaney, Keith Rooney (0-01), Brian Coughlan (0-03)

Subs: Sean White for Paul Kiernan, Liam Carey for Mark Devaney, Cillian Dennehy for Gavin Byrne 

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