Thomas Davis defeat Na Fianna in thrilling comeback - PTSB Dublin SFC 1

THOMAS DAVIS 2-14 NA FIANNA 2-12

Thomas Davis produced a superb second-half performance as they edged Na Fianna by two points in their absorbing PTSB Dublin Senior 1 Football Championship Group 3 encounter ata sun-kissed Parnell Park on Friday night. 

Last year’s beaten finalists were full value for their 1-7 to 0-3 interval lead with four Conor McHugh points augmented by a 12th minute goal from Brian O’Leary.   

However, a Fionn Murray goal helped turn the tide back in Thomas Davis’ favour and they completed their comeback as substitute Eoin Kirby flicked home to the net in the third minute of added time.  

After a bout of early sparring that saw both teams struggle to find their collective feet, it was Thomas Davis that eventually opened the scoring through a spectacular two-pointer from Ryan Deegan in the 5th minute. 

That proved an isolated moment of encouragement for the Tallaght outfit who saw their lead cancelled out following points at the opposite end by Ciaran Reddin and O’Leary. 

McHugh darted through to edge Na Fianna in front with a fisted effort in the 12th minute and from the resultant kick-out, he turned provider when cutting inside to release O’Leary for a powerful finish past the wrong-footed Robert Crilly in the Thomas Davis goal.  

Reddin’s second score soon after increased Na Fianna’s lead to five points with both teams failing to trouble the umpires for the following nine minutes. 

Thomas Davis will rue a number of two-pointed attempts that drifted wide before they ended a barren period of seventeen minutes courtesy of Chris Sallier’s fisted effort. 

However, they continued to frustrate up front while their opponents were far more economical with McHugh adding three scores by the end of the half to leave his side well placed with a seven-point buffer.    

Na Fianna’s goal led a charmed life to some degree in the first-half and another Deegan effort early after the break caused some defensive uncertainty before eventually being cleared to safety. 

Niall McGovern enjoyed an influential display in the Na Fianna defence, clearing his lines with a calm assuredness as his side stretched further ahead through a Reddin brace. 

While Deegan found his range with another two-pointer in the 39th minute, McHugh replied with a brace of his own to leave nine points between the sides. 

With the contest seemingly petering out, Thomas Davis finally availed of a goal chance as Conor Guilfoyle’s palmed attempt rebounded off the upright and Fionn Murray was on hand to crash home past Stephen Murray. 

Points followed by the end of the third quarter through Adam Waddick and Sallier with a two-pointed free from Murray adding further momentum to the Thomas Davis challenge. 

With the Kiltipper side controlling midfield, they deservedly drew level through successive points by Guilfoyle and Murray and a well-taken Seán Farrelly score saw them edge in front by the 51st minute. 

While Conor Baxter’s goal saw Na Fianna briefly regain their lead, they failed to drive on to the final whistle with Kirby rising high above Stephen Murray to deflect Guilfoyle’s speculative shot to the net while the latter added an insurance point to secure their deserved win.    

Scorers – Thomas Davis: F Murray 1-4 (1 F2, 0-1f); R Deegan 0-4 (2 P2); E Kirby 1-0; C Sallier, C Guilfoyle 0-2 each; A Waddick, S Farrelly 0-1 apiece. Na Fianna: C McHugh 0-6 (2f); B O’Leary 1-2; C Reddin 0-4; C Baxter 1-0. 

Thomas Davis: R Crilly; D Ogbonna, J Lambert, A Shorten; O Kelly, C Murphy, S Farrelly; A Waddick, R Deegan; S Kennedy, É O’Toole, S Benton; C Sallier, F Murray, C Guilfoyle. Subs: D Keogh for Kelly (half-time), M Nolan for Ogbonna (40), E Kirby for Sallier (58), F Lynch for Benton (64). 

Na Fianna: S Murray; E O’Dea, A Rafter, F Potts; O Donohoe, N McGovern, T Brennan; J Doran, D Clerkin; V Flynn, B O’Leary, C Early; C McHugh, C Reddin, S Smith. Subs: C Baxter for Flynn (46), D Lacey for Reddin (46), K Deeley for Smith (52), D Kennedy for Brennan (55), D Quinn for Early (61).      

Referee: Seán McCarthy (St Vincent’s).