Adult Hurling - Quarter Final Championship Sunday
The first team travelled to Clonsaugh in the morning to face Craobh Chiarain. The concession of 2 goals in the first 5 mins was a big blow and Craobh Chiarain struck a third goal halfway into the first half. A goal from James Shelly gave Finians a lift as did an early 2nd half goal from Eoin O'Connor. Craobh Chiarain recovered well from the concession of the goals and ran out deserving winners and advanced to the semi final. 👏👏
A big Finians contingent travelled across Swords to Balheary for the 2nd team championship quarter final against neighbours Fingallians. Lining out without the injured Barry Kavanagh, Finians had to shuffle the attack with Nigel O'Callaghan coming into the starting 15 making his championship debut becoming the first Dromcollogher/Broadford man since one season wonder Adrian Cahill to wear the Finians colours. Half way through the first half Nigel centred a good ball for Johnny Walsh to finish to the net for the only goal of the match and a crucial score it was. 💪💪
The loss of centre back Eamon McGill to injury midway through the 1st half was a blow, but the resultant defensive reshuffle involving Vinny Foley and Peter Wright meant the new Finians half back line of Vinny, Peter and David Murnane continued to clear their lines seeing Finians through to half time leading 1-5 to 0-5.
The second half was feriously contested. After an accidental sideline collision Jim Shelly was soon back in the action to encourage the Finians troops from the sideline as the backs had to defend strongly as Fingallians came looking for scores after Finians opening up a 6 point lead largely due to good free taking from Karl Martin and great work rate in the forwards. The introduction of youth in the form of Jamie O'Shea and Eoin Ryan kept up the work rate up in the forwards and a panel effort was needed as injuries were mounting owing to the intensity of the battle. 💪💪
Fingallians picked up some outstanding points to narrow the gap to 3 points. However, the Finians full back line were determined to keep a clean sheet, with the experienced James Quigley calling the shots at full back and U19 players James Foley and Cian Kavanagh outstanding in the corner back positions. The Finians rearguard was never breached for a goal and Finians pushed on to win 1-14 to 0-10 to secure a semi final slot. 👏👏
Big thanks to those who turned out to support both teams and also to the management team of Ciaran Groves, Barry Shelly, Johnny Walsh Niall Delaney and of course Nathan Foster who had to run the line for the 2nd team in the afternoon as Johnny and Ciaran were in the thick of the action in the full forward line for the 2nd team.
Onwards to the semi final for the 2nd team in 2 weeks time, details TBC
