GYMCO JFC Group 1
Na Piarsaigh 7-9 O’Donnell’s 0-3
Na Piarsaigh played host to Cairdineal Uí Dhomhnaill on a sunny Sunday afternoon at the Cricky with both teams needing to secure the win. Having lost their first two fixtures, O’Donnells arrived knowing only a victory would keep their hopes of extending the season alive; whilst Pearses currently topped Group 1 of the Junior Championship. Having beaten Na Piarsaigh by 10 points earlier in the season at the Cricky, a keenly-contested game was anticipated.
As with all games across the county, the two teams, officials and supporters all paid tribute to Antrim great Anto Finnegan who sadly passed away this week.
Na Piarsaigh were without their 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice keepers with Aaron Callaghan making the short journey from the edge of the square to the goal line. Liam Deegan returned to Pearses starting 15 since receiving a heavy late tackle in the league Semi-Final, as did Aidan Bannon making his first competitive start since his younger brother Ruairaí broke his arm in pre-season. The home team started brightly with Fionn Grew and Decky Hackett splitting the posts within the first 5 minutes. O’Donnells responded with a well-taken point of their own before Piaras Donaghy showed the first bit of real quality in the game. In a move initiated by Darren O’Neill at corner back, the Na Piarsaigh captain collected the ball around the middle of the pitch and slalomed through multiple tackles before finishing neatly in the back of the net. Na Piarsaigh 1-2 O’Donnells 0-1.
The visitors once again responded with a quick point with an inside forward collecting the ball neatly in space and slotting it over the ball. Gathering the ball short from the resulting kickout, a long ball then played into Oisín Grew saw him use his strength expertly to round his man and cutting across the pitch, set his younger brother Fionn straight in on goal with a low-placed finish. O’Donnells once again responded quickly, moving the ball up the pitch quickly and converting a free won in front of the posts.
1st Water Break Na Piarsaigh 2-2 O’Donnells 0-3.
The second quarter of the game saw Na Piarsaigh begin to dominate play as O’Donnells struggle to convert chances carved out in the opponents ’45. Fionn Grew converted a free won by Ethan Devine after a mazey run from midfield. Shortly after, Donaghy once again cut through the defence and rifled a shot into the roof of the net. Reacting quickly to a free on his own ’45, full back Thomas McFarlane collected the ball and sprinted the length of the pitch before Seán Mac Murlain capped the move off with a good point from wide on the left.
Half Time: Na Piarsaigh 3-4 O’Donnells 0-3
Despite the distance between the teams and with some poor shot decisions and errant kicking, O’Donnells will have gone in knowing that they were creating opportunities to score. However, Na Piarsaigh emerged with renewed vigour and quickly dispelled any notions of a comeback. Gerard Campbell turned provider from midfield as Hackett and Mac Murlain pointed early in the half as the home side ran their opponents ragged on an increasingly warm day. Oisín Grew was rewarded for his efforts after finally getting onto the scoresheet with a well-taken goal after cutting in from the right. Mac Murlain then added another point to the board before Liam Deegan rode several tackles and managed to finish neatly in the bottom corner despite being clearly off balance. Hackett then palmed in a simple goal at the back post after more smart running from Oisín Grew.
2nd Water Break: Na Piarsaigh 6-7 O’Donnells 0-3
The last quarter finally saw Na Piarsaigh keeper Callaghan tested as O’Donnells carved out a great goal chance, however the stand-in keeper got down low and saved the initial shot. Cormac Ó Néill and Nathan Gorman then blocked follow-up shots on the line before Aidan Bannon managed to clear the ball out of the square. Donaghy soon added his first point of the day with a fine, floated point before Hackett once again was on hand at the back post to provide the easiest of finishes. Mac Murlain concluded the scoring with what was Pearse’s best team score of the day. Starting the playing from his own 45, Mac Murlain popped the ball into substitute Jack McKeown. After some crisp passes to O Grew and a clever cross-field run from Naoise Ó Cuilín, Mac Murlain finished off the move with aplomb. A complete performance from Na Piarsaigh across the pitch and with wides nearing the double figures, points to plenty of room for continued improvement ahead of their next outing. O’Donnells clearly struggled to replace unavailable players and the anticipated challenge never really materialized after the initial water break. Na Piarsaigh will now progress into the JFC Semi-Finals and will likely face Naomh Muire, Ros Earcáin in a repeat of the Division 3 League Final.
Oisín Grew turned in a man of the match performance for the North Belfast side. Despite scoring the least out of his fellow forwards, Grew’s contribution was fantastic throughout and he was central to many of his teams scores including directly assisting 3 goals.
FT: Na Piarsaigh 7-9 O’Donells 0-3
Na Piarsaigh: Aaron Callaghan, Darren O’Neill, Thomas McFarlane, Nathan Gorman, Cormac Ó Néill, Aidan Bannon, Ruairaí Bannon, Ethan Devine, Gerard Campbell, Piaras Donaghy (2-1), Liam Deegan (1-0), Seán Mac Murlain (0-4), Oisín Grew (1-0), Decky Hackett (2-2), Fionn Grew (1-2)