Na Fianna defeat Mun to book SFC1 quarter-final spot

Sat, 28th September 2019

DUBLIN SFC1 GROUP 1

NA FIANNA 0-13 BALLYMUN KICKHAMS 0-8

A determined last ten minutes saw Na Fianna finish the stronger to secure victory in this Dublin SFC1 Group 1 shootout at Parnell Park on Friday night.

The five-point win saw Na Fianna book second place in the group, behind Kilmacud Crokes, and a spot in the quarter-final with Kickhams' SFC dream now over.

The St Mobhi Road side were the better side overall but were denied goals on several occasion by a combination of good goalkeeping by Seán Currie and some poor shooting by the Na Fianna forwards.

Going into the last ten minutes Na Fianna were 0-8 to 0-7 ahead after sub Jason Whelan had hooked over a fine point for the 'Mun.

But crucially Dessie Farrell's side replied with the next three scores to give themselves a cushion going into the final moments.

James Doran, a Dublin U20 this year, fisted over the first of this salvo with Aaron Byrne adding a free before Doran was on target again to push his side into a 0-11 to 0-7 lead.

Dean Rock converted a free for Ballymun but it was to be Na Fianna's night as Seán Caffrey fired over following an angled pass from Glenn O'Reilly and Doran tagged on his fourth from play.

In the opening half Na Fianna 0-2 to 0-0 inside nine minutes, their opening score coming when Ballymun wing-back Leon Young in trying to clear his lines miskicked the ball over his own crossbar from a low Aaron Byrne cross into the danger zone.

Ballymun replied with four points in-a-row with Paddy Small (two), Rock (free) and Fiach Andrews on target.

But Na Fianna finished the half on the up with scores from Aaron Byrne (free) and Conor McHugh (two frees), the second following a great run by David Quinn.

SCORERS – Na Fianna: J Doran, C McHugh (0-3f) 0-4 each, A Byrne 0-3 (0-3f), S Caffrey, L Young (own point) 0-1 each. Ballymun Kickhams: D Rock (0-2f), P Small 0-2 each, C Keeley, F Andrews, D Keating, J Whelan 0-1 each.