Naomh Fionnbarra 1-14
Borris in Ossory (Laois) 1-13
Naomh Fionnbarra have qualified for the Leinster JHC final. The Cabra men showed excellent character after going down to 14 men after 15 minutes.
Gary McGauley was the player who received his marching orders and the loss of his midfield presence will be keenly felt in the decider against Kilkenny champions Black and Whites.
The game was a tight affair right throughout and both sets of forward lines were very much in form. The teams were very well matched and one would have been forgiven for thinking the sending off would hand the advantage to the Laois side.
However, McGauley’s dismissal inspired Finbarr’s and Stephen Costello’s goal after 20 minutes gave them a half-time lead of 1-7 to 0-8.
TERRIFIC
The Dublin men were terrific in the second half. Costello was particularly impressive and he was at hand to punish any mistakes by showing unerring accuracy from dead-ball positions. Indeed Costello finished with a fine personal tally of 1-8.
It was not all comfortable however as keeper Lar Sweetman was forced into making three excellent saves to keep his side’s lead intact. Eammon Dillon and Ger Dodrill added further scores to give Finbarr’s some breathing space.
Borris in Ossory did eventually manage to raise a green flag in the final minute to leave just one point in it but Fionnbarra managed to hang on to book their place in the final at Nowlan Park next weekend.
Manager Nicky Kehoe is looking forward to the final and he knows it will be a major challenge. He said: “They’re a good side, racking up a huge score of 3-24 in their semi final, but we’re confident we can put in a good display.”
Diarmuid Geraghty – Evening Herald
