NH FIONNBARRA 2-20
ROCHE EMMETS 0-7

Naomh Fionnbarra claimed the Louth Junior Championship title with a crushing victory over Roche Emmets at Dunleer on Sunday afternoon.

The Mid Louth side went into the game as favourites but few could have predicted such a comprehensive win as they completely dominated their opponents to secure a 19-point victory.

When the teams met in the group stages, the Barrs had only a point to spare, and it the evidence of the first quarter suggested that another tight encounter was in store.

However, a goal from Jack Butterly was the catalyst for his side to take control of the game. By the time the half time whistle sounded they were seven points to the good and they had extended that gap to ten before Roche were reduced to 14 men with the dismissal of Gerry Murphy.

That red card put the game beyond any lingering doubt and it was only a matter of playing out the remaining minutes before the Barrs got their hands on the Christy Bellew Cup for the first time since 2010.

All round it was a great performance by the Finbarrs as they restricted the Roche scoring threat of Barry O'Hare and Kevin Callaghan, while at the other end, their marksmen were in top form. The Faughart side found it impossible to contain the trio of William Woods, Bernard Osborne and Jack Butterly who between them scored 2-16.

The only Roche man to enjoy the day was Darren McConnon, the Finbarrs captain on the day in place of the injured Hugh McGrane, with the former Emmets player lining out in midfield for the Barrs.

The opening minutes gave Roche Emmets reason to be optimistic with Barry O'Hare opening the scoring in a bright start.

Although, points from Osborne (2) and Woods had their side in front, O'Hare landed two more to level matters at three points apiece.

However, it was at that stage that the Barrs upped the pace with Butterly and Woods raising the white flag before Butterly got on the end of a good move after 19 minutes to fire in the first goal and put his side 1-5 to 0-3 ahead.

The Ballygassan side kept the pressure on and points from Padraig Butterly, Jack Butterly and William Woods, in reply to a solitary effort from O'Hare, gave their side a commanding 1-8 to 0-4 lead at half time.

Roche needed a fast start to the second half if they were to have any hope, but instead it was their opponents who were quickest out of the blocks and by the time Woods pointed on 40 minutes, they were 1-13 to 0-6.

It got worse for the Faughart men when Murphy was sent to the line and at the start of the final quarter, the celebrations were beginning when Osborne fired home the second goal.

The Barrs could enjoy the closing stages knowing they were on their way to victory as they outscored their opponents by seven points to one in the final 13 minutes.

The champions could even afford the luxury of introducing injured captain, Hugh McGrane, as a late sub and he had the honour of accepting the cup alongside Darren McConnon.

NH FIONNBARRA: Allan Matthews; Hugh McGrane, Kieran Lenihan 0-1, Bryan Sharkey; Conor Lenihan, Oisin McGee, Hugh Osbourne; John Doyle, Darren McConnon 0-1; William Woods 0-7, Andy McCann, Pádraig Butterly 0-2; Bernard Osborne 1-5, Jack Butterly 1-4, Stuart Osborne. Subs: Máirtin Murphy for P Butterly, Chris McGlynn for H Osbourne, James Butterly for C McGrane, Michael McArdle for C Lenihan, Padraic Murphy for B Osborne, Hugh McGrane for S Osborne.

ROCHE EMMETS: Jamie O'Hare; Joe Bishop, Harry O'Connell, Duane Callan; Aaron Callan, Conor Traynor, Gerry Murphy; Daniel O'Connell 0-1, Eugene Murray; David O'Connell, Liam Carthy 0-2, Conor Carthy; Kevin Callaghan, Barry O'Hare 0-4, Emmet Hughes 0-1. Subs: Eoin O'Hare for C Traynor, Niall McArdle for E Murray, Liam Rice for A Callan, Sean O'Hare for E Hughes, Dermot Carthy for David O'Connell.

REFEREE: Kevin Brady

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