🏑HURLING 1 MATCH REPORT by 🎤 Gene Griffin 🏑
With the 2nd team delivering a win on Friday night it was up to the 1st team to follow suit on Sunday morning against Ballyboden St Enda's. The match was in Ridgewood in summer like weather.
The match carried plenty of motivation for St. Finians having lost to Ballyboden by just a point after extra time in the 2023 championship semi final.
A point from a free from James Shelly opened the scoring and helped settled St Finians who were very much on top in the 1st Quarter. St Finians were picking off excellent points with a point from Lee Kavanagh soloing up from midfield one of highlight scores. James Sullivan then found the net with a goal and St Finians looked in command.However, Ballyboden took over the 2nd quarter and a goal gave them a great lift and saw them push on to lead 1-11 to 1-10 at half time.
Manager Ciaran Groves steadied the ship at half time and set out the plan for the 2nd half. After half time, Team Captain Mattie Murray was effective at midfield dropping deep to clear ball from defence and also pushing forward to attack Ballyboden. Vinny Foley, Lee Kavanagh & Peter Wright were also giving Finians a foothold in this sector and this led to a good supply of possession to the full forward line. The goals began to flow with Sean Cronin showing speed & good footwork to finish 2 goals. Nathan Foster in the final quarter came on as a sub bringing energy & sideline cut skills and his goal from a sideline cut looked to have secured the win with Finians leading by 7 points at one stage. However, Ballyboden came looking for scores and whilst they were able to get points, the St Finians full back line ensured they didn't get through for the goals they required. Final score 4-14 to 1-19 making it 3 wins from 4 matches in the league campaign to date.
Our Mens Hurlers are kindly sponsored by Peacocks Lounge & Bar
With the 2nd team delivering a win on Friday night it was up to the 1st team to follow suit on Sunday morning against Ballyboden St Enda's. The match was in Ridgewood in summer like weather.
The match carried plenty of motivation for St. Finians having lost to Ballyboden by just a point after extra time in the 2023 championship semi final.
A point from a free from James Shelly opened the scoring and helped settled St Finians who were very much on top in the 1st Quarter. St Finians were picking off excellent points with a point from Lee Kavanagh soloing up from midfield one of highlight scores. James Sullivan then found the net with a goal and St Finians looked in command.However, Ballyboden took over the 2nd quarter and a goal gave them a great lift and saw them push on to lead 1-11 to 1-10 at half time.
Manager Ciaran Groves steadied the ship at half time and set out the plan for the 2nd half. After half time, Team Captain Mattie Murray was effective at midfield dropping deep to clear ball from defence and also pushing forward to attack Ballyboden. Vinny Foley, Lee Kavanagh & Peter Wright were also giving Finians a foothold in this sector and this led to a good supply of possession to the full forward line. The goals began to flow with Sean Cronin showing speed & good footwork to finish 2 goals. Nathan Foster in the final quarter came on as a sub bringing energy & sideline cut skills and his goal from a sideline cut looked to have secured the win with Finians leading by 7 points at one stage. However, Ballyboden came looking for scores and whilst they were able to get points, the St Finians full back line ensured they didn't get through for the goals they required. Final score 4-14 to 1-19 making it 3 wins from 4 matches in the league campaign to date.
Our Mens Hurlers are kindly sponsored by Peacocks Lounge & Bar
