Na Fianna Overcome Cuala After Extra Time in a Thrilling Game

Image Courtesy Conor Ryan

NA FIANNA 2-37 

CUALA 2-34

Na Fianna took another positive step towards defending their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship title as they overcame Cuala by three points after extra-time in their absorbing clash at Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon. 

In what was a high-scoring and hugely entertaining first-half, Na Fianna enjoyed a 2-15 to 1-14 interval lead with an early goal from Cuala’s Dara Twomey nullified by strikes at the opposite end from Dónal Burke and Seán Currie.  

The drama continued unabated for the second-half and after substitute Conall O’Toole had netted in the 54th minute, Cuala deservedly brought the game to extra-time on a scoreline of 2-28 apiece, through another influential substitute George O’Toole.

The experience of Na Fianna proved crucial in extra-time with Colin Currie converting four points from placed balls to eventually see his side home. 

Cuala could not have wished for a better start as Dara Twomey was on hand to instinctively batter home in the opening minute after Jamie Conroy’s shot was initially repelled by Jonno Tracey. 

Seán Moran added a brace of points soon after as the Dalkey outfit were indebted to goalkeeper Seán Brennan for producing two superb stops to preserve his side’s lead. 

However, he proved powerless from preventing Donal Burke from netting in the 7th minute and the holders edged in front by the 10th minute through the first of four Jack Meagher points. 

The experienced David Treacy hovered to telling effect as he picked off two scores in quick succession with the pace of the contest remaining at a blistering level. 

As a result, the scores came freely with Donal O’Shea popping over two points for Cuala but Na Fianna edged back in front in the 22nd minute as Seán Currie jinked his way through the middle and left the exposed Brennan helpless with a rising shot into the roof of the net. 

Con O’Callaghan lined out at centre-forward and gradually began to exert an influence with two points in the second quarter but Meagher was revelling in the space afforded to him as he tagged on points at regular intervals for the All-Ireland champions. 

These points allowed Cuala to remain in the hunt but they still trailed by four points at half-time as Colin Currie converted a trio of frees in the closing stages of the half. 

Na Fianna continued to add to their lead in the early stages of the second-half with Burke adding two classy points to augment further scores from Seán Currie and AJ Murphy. 

That they weren’t allowed to pull away was down to the scoring returns of O’Shea, who added a quarter of points in the third quarter, including three frees, to leave just five points between the teams with fifteen minutes remaining. 

Four points shared by Conroy and George O’Toole brought Cuala to within two points and they sensationally took the lead as Conall O’Toole burst through before flicking an improvised finish past Tracey from close range. 

Brian Ryan replied with two points for Na Fianna and the Limerick native looked to have settled the issue with a 62nd minute score but there was sufficient time on the clock for George O’Toole to ensure extra-time with a fine score from under the terrace side. 

Na Fianna regrouped well for extra-time as scores from the returning AJ Murphy and Charlie McCarthy pushed them two points clear by the short interval. 

Conall O’Toole continued to shine as he added two further points in the second period but the champions showed their customary nerve to edge home through late points by Currie (free) and McCarthy.    

Scorers – Na Fianna: C Currie 0-13 (10f, 1 ’65); D Burke 1-4; J Meagher 0-5; S Currie 1-2; B Ryan, AJ Murphy 0-4 each; C McCarthy 0-2; C Stacey, P Feeney, T Gleeson 0-1 apiece. Cuala: D O’Shea 0-12 (8f, 1 ’65); C O’Toole 1-3; S Moran (2f), D Treacy, J Conroy 0-4 each; D Twomey 1-0; G O’Toole 0-3; C O’Callaghan 0-2; J Twomey, C Sheanon 0-1 apiece.

Na Fianna: J Tracey; D Clerkin, C McHugh, S Burke; P O’Dea, L Rushe, P Feeney; B Ryan, J Meagher; C Currie, S Currie, C Stacey; AJ Murphy, D Burke, T Brennan. Subs: M Murphy for Stacey (13), L Stacey for Clerkin (20), S Barrett for Brennan (36), C McCarthy for AJ Murphy (51), T Gleeson for D Burke (56), AJ Murphy for Barrett (61), S Baxter for O’Dea (61), G Spollen for Meagher (68), J Kavanagh for M Murphy (74), S Barrett for Gleeson (80).

Cuala: S Brennan; M Conroy, E O’Callaghan, C Groarke; S Moran, D Ó Floinn, S Roche; J Malone, J Conroy; J Twomey, C O’Callaghan, D O’Shea; K Kirwan, D Twomey, D Treacy. Subs: G O’Toole for Malone (37), C Sheanon for D Twomey (43), C O’Toole for Kirwan (45), D Twomey for Treacy (76).  

Referee: Thomas Gleeson (Naomh Fionnbarra).