JFC Semi-Final
Laochra Loch Lao 0-7 Na Piarsaigh 2-11
Na Piarsaigh overcame the challenge of a Laochra Loch Lao side, strongly fancied in some quarters, in this Junior Football Championship semi-final at Colaiste Feirste on Saturday to set up a place in the final against St. Agnes in two weeks-time.
Saturday’s opponents had met in the group stages a few weeks back at Pairc Naomh Una and on that occasion it was the Irish Language side who came out tops and by virtue of that win they would have went into Saturday’s semi-final strongly fancied.
Na Piarsaigh have shown marked improvement from that defeat however and their quarter-final win over Ardoyne suggested that they were running into form just at the right time and so it proved to be.
The Antrim Road side edged an easily forgettable opening half to lead by three at the interval with their defence sweeping up everything that Laochra could muster and pushed on to dominate the second half with goals from Fion Grew and Sean Moreland seeing them coast home.
Liam Deegan for Na Piarsaigh and Kevin Devine for the home side exchanged early points but further white flags raised by Philip Murray and a Sean Moreland free had the visitors two in front by the 13th minute of a low scoring opening half.
Cathal O’Ceallaigh raised Laochra Loch Lao’s second point of the half in the 20th minute but it would conclude their first half scoring as the Na Piarsaigh defence dealt with everything that came their way and it would be Murray and Moreland who would conclude the first half scoring with Pearse’s points.
Half Time 0-2 TO 0-5
Laochra Loch Lao got little change from a well organised Na Piarsaigh defence in the first half and it was imperative that they got off to a good start in the second if they were to swing this game in their favour but in truth it never looked like happening.
Instead it was Na Piarsaigh who stepped it up a notch on the resumption and Fion Grew followed up on a great save by the Laochra keeper to fire over after 20 seconds to extend their lead to four.
Daire McMenamin had it briefly back to three with a point in the 4th minute but Na Piarsaigh struck decisively with a goal from Fion Grew, two minutes later and even at that early stage, it looked like being an uphill struggle for the hosts.
It never looked like materialising as Daire McPilib’s point for the home side was quickly cancelled by a Liam Deegan pointed free at the other end and when Sean Moreland punished a poor kick-out, with his side’s second goal in the 11th minute it was as good as over.
The North Belfast side continued to turn the screw with James Smyth striking a fine point and at the other end Eamon McKenna brought off a good save as Laochra tried to respond.
The excellent Liam Deegan from a free and another great effort from play put the game well beyond the reach of the opposition with seven minutes of normal time remaining before Laochra’s best player, Cathal O’Cealliagh replied with a 2 pointer at the other end.
At this stage it was merely consolation as Liam Deegan for the men in Green and PJ O’Prey exchanged late points to conclude the scoring and confirm Na Piarsaigh’s place in the final in two-week’s time.
They will face league winners, Naomh Una in that decider and the Woodlands side will probably start that one as favourites but they will have to be at their best to beat this Na Piarsaigh side who have shown great improvement at the business end of the season and will fancy their chances.
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