:format(auto))
Late goal rush powers Na Fianna past Whitehall
DLGFA PTSB Junior H Club Championship Final
Na Fianna D 3-6 Whitehall Colmcille B 1-5
Report by Cóilín Duffy
Na Fianna D produced a devastating late burst of three goals to claim Dublin LGFA PTSB Junior H honours after a fiercely contested encounter on Friday evening at St. Margaret’s GAA Club.
The sides were deadlocked for the bulk of the closing quarter, before a 57th minute Michelle Nolan goal put the Mobhí Road side into a lead they wouldn’t relinquish
Ciara Gahan and substitute Sadhb Nic an Iomaire also found the net, ultimately carrying Na Fianna to a seven-point victory.
Both sides took time to settle during a scrappy opening in which frequent fouls interrupted the flow and several chances went wide. Whitehall created the earlier openings, but Holly Harbourne Doyle and Katie Hogan were unable to convert. Na Fianna also passed up opportunities before ‘Player of the Match’ Briege Mac Oscair finally opened the scoring from a free in the 13th minute.
Kate Keogh doubled the advantage with a well-taken point from play, and Martha Faulkner quickly added another to give Na Fianna a three-point cushion. Lily Harbourne Doyle replied in the 19th minute, registering Whitehall’s first score after their lively start had gone unrewarded.
The remainder of the half was closely fought. Whitehall continued to force turnovers and win frees, while Na Fianna carried a greater scoring threat when they advanced. Nolan almost delivered the game’s first goal shortly before the interval, but her effort was kept out and diverted behind. Further misses from Mac Oscair and Carla Doherty left Na Fianna ahead by 0-3 to 0-1 at half-time.
The leaders resumed sharply. A point credited to substitute Cliodhna Carey and Mac Oscair’s second successful free stretched their advantage to four. Whitehall responded impressively, however, as Rachel O’Toole pointed before Lily Harbourne Doyle struck three times, including one free, to bring the sides level at 0-5 apiece after 48 minutes.
With the contest delicately balanced, both teams struggled to find the decisive score. Whitehall had chances to move in front, but their wides proved costly, and Na Fianna made the breakthrough in the 58th minute. Nolan found the net from play to put her side three clear, while Mac Oscair, having returned to the action, added a point five minutes into injury-time.
Aisling Faherty gave Whitehall renewed hope when the substitute struck a goal two minutes later, reducing the deficit to a single point. Na Fianna’s response was emphatic. Gahan powered home their second goal just over a minute later before Nic an Iomaire delivered the final blow with a third deep into added time.
This victory reflected Na Fianna’s patience: after being reeled in, they stayed composed, absorbed Whitehall’s pressure and seized every major opening during a dramatic finale to remember.
After the game Na Fianna captain Kate Keogh received the Cup from Dublin LGFA Vice Chairperson Declan Patton.
:format(auto))
:format(auto))
:format(auto)){kind=logo}
:format(auto))
:format(auto)){kind=logo}