Barna had a splendid and well-deserved 1-13 to 2-07 victory over Annaghdown last Saturday evening in Pearse Stadium.
Pat Fallon’s men played some effervescent attacking football at stages in the game and led by 0 - 11 to 0 - 1 in the second half against a most disappointing and disjointed Annaghdown side.
Two late goals by Mick Curley’s side from Niall Farragher and Mathias Coleman took the bad look off the scoreboard, but it would have been a major injustice if Barna had not advanced.
DD Flaherty hit seven points (6fs ) for the winners and played a fine game at centre forward. The impressive Kieran Hanley, who lined out at wing-forward, scored a scorcher of a goal that led to some feisty scenes, and Brian Conneely had a storming game at midfield.
Both the hard-running Paddy Kennedy and Ray Connelly hit two points each, and the way in which Barna are improving will make them a difficult side for any team to face in the semi-finals. They are hard to score against and this win will have given them a major boost of confidence.
Mountbellew see off Milltown
Last year’s beaten county finalists Mountbellew defeated Milltown on a score-line of 1-09 to 0-9 in Tuam Stadium. After Mark Hehir notched the opening score, Mounbellew scored 1-06 without reply and set the foundation for their victory.
Corner forward Joe Meehan had his shooting boots on and he hit 0-4 in that period with Sean Sweeney goaling after a splendid run from wing-back Iomar Barrett.
Their joint management team of Cyril Ryan and Martin Boyle will be quietly pleased with the manner of their victory and they have a nice balance to their side.
Their defence is solid with Gardiner, Geraghty and Duffy in the full-back line and the Colleran/Bergin midfield provides a solid axis to build a team on, with Cathal Kenny, Meehan and Sweeney a dangerous inside unit.
They will have learned a lot from last year’s bitter disappointment in the county final and they would dearly love another opportunity in a final to annex the club’s first county title since 1986.
