Dongal 2-22 Fingal 4-14
Despite a terrific second half performance, Fingal hurlers just fell short of victory against Donegal in in Division 3B of the Alliannz NHL on a score of 2-22 to 4-14. The Dublin side was forced to field a team without five of their regular fifteen and lost goalkeeper, Hilary Murray Hession to injury during the pre-match warm up.
Playing against a strong breeze in the first half, Fingal started brightly and scores from full-forward Conor McCafferty to four points in the first seven minutes of the game. Kevin Campbell kept Donegal in touch with some well taken scores. However, two gaols in as many minutes for the hosts saw them turn a one point deficit into a five point lead after ten minutes. Donegal took control of the game for the remainder of the opening half and went in at half time leading by 2-14 to 0-8
Two early second half points from Colm Downey and John Matthew Sheridan appeared to instill a growing confidrnce into Fingal players and by the tenth minute of the half the Donegal lead was reduced to five points thanks to goals from Sheridan (penalty) and a goal and a point from Downey.
Donegal increased this lead to eigth points however with three well taken points. This lead was again reduced to five points when a long range effort from Sheridan dropped into the Donegal net.Only a point separated the sides after Andrew Richardson finised a great move with a well taken goal. Donegal substitute Niall Campbell pointed with the lst puck of the game to give a two point victory to the hosts. Fingal will play Roscommon in the final game of the league in two weeks time.
Best for Fingal on the day were Dermot Vaughan, Peter Coyne and Niall Ring in defence, Brian Powell – particularly after his move to mid-field, and forwards John Sheridan and Conor McCafferty.
Fingal:
Robbie Fennelly (O’Dwyers), Peter Coyne (Trinity Gaels), Dermot Vaughan (Fingallians), Niall Feeney (Naomh Mearnog), Niall Ring (Naomh Barrog) Mal Nulty (Fingallians) Brian Powell (Naomh Mearnog) Ross McGarry (Skerries Harps) Paul McAllister (St. Maurs), John M Sheridan (Fingallians) David Mills (Fingallians) Colm Downey (Fingallians), Alan Morris (St. Sylvesters) Conor McCafferty (Naomh Mearnog) Brian McCarthy (Naomh Mearnog),
Subs: Andrew Richardson for Downey(55mins). David Markey for McCarthy(60mins) and Eoin Martin for David Mills(yellow card 68mins).
Scorers: JM Sheridan 2-5, C. Downey 1-1, A. Richardson 1-0, C McCafferty and B. McCarthy 0-2 each, P. McAllister, D. Mills, A. Morris and D. Markey 0-1 each.
