Final Score: St Finians 3-16 Na Gaeil Oga 2-07

The Adult men's football team continued their good form in the Championship on Sunday morning in Ridgewood.

Before the whistle, The team led by Captain David Butler stood shoulder to shoulder to remember former teammate and Friend Paul Reddin who sadly passed away recently. The minute's silence & memory of Paul inspired the lads to another victory. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

With a strong breeze playing a big factor in the early exchanges. The game started quite cagey for both teams with the first score not coming until the 5th minute for the visiting team.

The first of Finian's points came on 7 minutes from Conor Halpin who found a gap to stick over a fine score. He followed that up with a brilliantly taken Free.

The defining moments of the first half came in a 2-minute spell where James Doyle created 2 brilliant solo goals either side of a superb score from Killian Ryan. A brilliant Catch from Davy Butler from the keepers kick out set the tempo for the smash and grab couple of minutes. James finishing off the outstanding finishes 1 to the keepers left and the other under the keepers' dive.

On 17 minutes some great work led to a turnover from the keepers kickout. It was picked up by Eoin O'Connor who ran from inside the halfway line to score a brilliant score from outside the 21-meter line.

With 2 more scores in the half from David Butler & Conor Halpin St Finian's went leading into the break 2-06 to 0-06

With Stephen Donnelly replacing the injured Matty O'Toole at half time Finian's started the better of the 2 teams.

Early Scores from Killian Ryan, Eoin O'Connor & Cian McCabe kept the distance between the teams.

Then came the Penalty incidents. Firstly, the Referee adjudging a foul by Liam Kiernan on the Full Forward. The penalty was taken but superbly saved by Stephen McNally, the ball rebounded onto the post. The ball broke loose around the penalty spot which was struck towards the goal. The ball didn't look like it crossed the line, but the Referee blew for the goal.

Straight from the resulting kick out the Referee blew for a penalty at the opposite end saying the Na Gaeil Oga defender was dragging in the box. Up stepped Conor Halpin to bury the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

Two quick well taken points from Brandon Caffrey ended a great personal performance for him.

The introduction of Fiachra Comber, Sean Halpin, Ciaran McGrath & Paddy Hattie added extra fresh legs to the performance.

Further scores from Conor Halpin 0-02, Killian Ryan 0-01, James Doyle 0-01 & Cian McCabe 0-01 ended a decent performance from the team.

Notable stand out performances from Stephen McNally in Goal, Killian Ryan, Cian McCabe, James Doyle & Conor Collier.

Match Report Mark Murray, Photos Tony McNamara

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