Na Fianna victory over Cuala sees them on top (SHC ‘A’ Group 4)

DUBLIN SHC 'A' GROUP 4 ROUND 3

NA FIANNA 3-23 CUALA 2-20

Na Fianna top Group 4 of the Dublin SHC 'A' following their impressive six-point victory over Cuala in Parnell Park on Saturday late afternoon.

Both the St Mobhi Road and Dalkey sides had already booked their berth in the knockout stages prior to throw-in but Na Fianna stayed on their high-scoring winning streak to make it three wins from three starts in the round-robin stage.

Seán Baxter gave Na Fianna a flying start with his third minute goal but the accuracy of David Treacy had the sides level by the eighth minute.

In a free-scoring opening half scores followed from Eoghan McHugh from halfway, Diarmuid O Floinn, Donal Burke, Colin Currie (free), Con O'Callaghan (two), David Treacy and Colin Currie, with another free following a foul on AJ Murphy, to make it 1-5 to 0-8 by the 20th minute.

The half remained a tightly contested affair with Cuala goalkeeper Seán Brennan doing well to deny Seán Baxter of a second goal, parrying his shot over for a 25th minute point for Na Fianna to lead 1-9 to 0-10.

Colin Currie pushed Na Fianna two points clear, following a purposeful run from Eoghan McHugh, as two David Treacy frees either side of a Colin Currie deadball had the northsiders clear goal up, 1-11 to 0-11, as the game moved into first-half added time.

Before the interval David Treacy added another free to his personal tally, following a foul on the impressive Con O'Callaghan, who struck five points from play overall, but before the break Na Fianna struck for their second goal when AJ Murphy found the net to give his side a 2-11 to 0-12 interval lead.

Cuala's ambition was dented by the forced withdrawal of David Treacy (32 minutes) owing to injury with Liam Murphy assuming the freetaking mantle.

The deadball accuracy of Colin Currie, who also fired some excellent scores from play, kept Na Fianna on the front foot in the second period before a fine Donal Burke point was followed by a goal by the same player as the Dublin senior pushed his side six points clear, 3-15 to 0-18.

This was a crucial spell for the eventual winners as they hit a 1-6 without reply between the 48th and 54th minute with Seán Currie, Donal Burke again, Kieran Murphy (two) and AJ Murphy propelling Na Fianna into a commanding 3-20 to 0-18 lead.

A Seá Moran goal and point from Con O'Callaghan cut the gap but Na Fianna had their day's work done despite a late consolation goal direct from a free from Cuala's Seán Moran, his second of the day.

Also in SHC 'A' Group 4 action Thomas Davis put in a resounding finish to their clash against Setanta in O'Toole Park to come from six points in arrears entering the last ten minutes to earn a 1-17 each draw.

SCORERS – Na Fianna: C Currie 0-9 (0-6f), D Burke 1-3, AJ Murphy 1-2, S Baxter 1-1, K Murphy 0-3, S Currie 0-2, S Barrett, E McHugh, S Murphy 0-1 each. Cuala: S Moran 2-1 (1-0f), D Treacy 0-6 (0-3f), Con O'Callaghan 0-5, L Murphy 0-4 (0-2f), D O Floinn 0-2, M Schutte, N Carty 0-1 each.

NA FIANNA: J Tracey; S Baxter, K Burke, H Fenlon; F Breathnach, S Barrett, P O'Dea; M Quilty, C McHugh; E McHugh, S Murphy, D Burke; S Currie, AJ Murphy, C Currie. Subs: K Murphy for S Murphy (47), M Oliver for Quilty (50), C Kelly for Barrett (60), D O Maoileidigh for C McHugh (63).

CUALA: S Brennan; S Timlin, Cian O'Callaghan, S Moran; J Sheanon, D O'Connell, J Malone; C Cronin, S Treacy; D Treacy, D O Floinn, L Murphy; M Schutte, Con O'Callaghan, M Conroy. Subs: N Carty for D Treacy (32), C Sheanon for Murphy (55).

REF: S McCarthy (St Vincent's).