Fingallians claim dramatic victory over Carnew Emmets in AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

FINGALLIANS 2-16 

CARNEW EMMETS 1-18

Fingallians advanced to the last four of the AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship when getting the better of Carnew Emmets by the narrowest of margins at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon. 

The Dublin Premier IHC champions controlled large parts of the first-half with a well-taken goal from Harry Brogan towards the end of the first quarter helping build a healthy 1-12 to 1-5 lead by the interval. 

Their grip on proceedings loosened dramatically upon the restart as Carnew laid siege on their goal but they did just enough to prevail with Darragh Power making some crucial late interventions for the winners. 

Fins were keen to make the most of home advantage as they opened the scoring through an Eoin O’Connor free in the 2nd minute before Michael Rock doubled that lead with a fine score from play two minutes later. 

A couple of poor wides undermined their bright start and after Jack Doye had opened the away account, the Wicklow champions pounced for the game’s opening goal in the 9th minute as Tom Brennan scrambled to the net from close range after the Fingallians defence failed to deal with a Pádraig Doran delivery from deep. 

The Fins reply to this setback was as instant as it was impressive as they levelled matters in an instant through successive scores by Daniel King and Oisín Johnston. 

Shane Howard’s aerial ability was a key feature of the opening quarter as his side added to their lead through a second Johnston point and an O’Connor free before Brogan showed great pace in the 13th minute to race clear and fire home past the exposed Robert Fitzgerald from ten yards.

The visitors kept in touch through a brace of points by the lively Fionn D’Arcy but two O’Connor frees ensured the Swords outfit remained on the front foot early in the second quarter. 

A well-worked Cameron Clarke score pushed Fins five points clear by the 19th minute and while their scoring rate dropped as the half evolved, they continued to add to their buffer through O’Connor (free) and Aron Gargan.     

Leading by seven points at the break, Fins were placed under greater pressure in the early stages of the second-half as D’Arcy (free), Wayne Kinsella and Rory Stokes all tagged on early scores for a re-energised Carnew side. 

A cracking O’Connor point from play was an isolated moment of positivity for Fingallians as they saw their advantage diminish to just two points by the 39th minute with D’Arcy, Doran and Kinsella all finding the target. 

While O’Connor stemmed the bleeding briefly with his eighth point of the contest, the home lead was trimmed further as Emmets came within a solitary point following successive scores from D’Arcy and Brennan. 

Crucially, Brogan replied with a sumptuous score from under the stand before Fins regained the initiative as Johnston crashed home from Rock’s clever pass following some hesitancy in the away defence. 

However, Carnew refused to accept their perceived fate as they slowly but surely played their way back into contention in the final quarter through a trio of D’Arcy scores and a Daniel Redmond point. 

The Fins task was made tougher as substitute Aidan Swan was dismissed in the 59th minute but all Carnew could muster in the closing stages was a Doran free as they fell short by the final whistle. 

Scorers – Fingallians: E O’Connor 0-9 (7f); O Johnston 1-2; H Brogan 1-1; D King, C Clarke, M Rock, A Gargan 0-1 apiece. Carnew Emmets: F D’Arcy 0-8 (4f); T Brennan 1-1; P Doran 0-3 (3f); W Kinsella, D Redmond 0-2 each; R Stokes, J Doyle 0-1 apiece.

Fingallians: S Delaney; G Campbell, S Howard, F Brady; C Shaw, D Power, D King; C Clarke, L Hayward; H Brogan, E O’Connor, M Rock; A Gargan, O Johnston, C Johnston. Subs: D Levins for Clarke (42), A Swan for Gargan (52), E Howard for Campbell (60).   

Carnew Emmets: R Fitzgerald; C Redmond, C McCrea, C Byrne; R Stokes, P Doran, R Rooney; T Collins, A Kinsella; K Cullen, W Kinsella, D Redmond; F Darcy, J Doyle, T Brennan. Subs: J House for Byrne (half-time), P McGing for Doyle (61). 

Referee: Conor Daly (Kildare).