The Fenians of Johnstown closed a 12 year gap by beating Lisdowney in the Minor Roinn B county final on Sunday. The five point victory was well deserved for the Fenians who fought off a strong challenge from Lisdowney.
The Fenians sealed victory with two well taken goals in the opening five minutes of the second half, leaving Lisdowney with a 0-8 to 3-5 mountain to climb. In the games opening five minutes Lisdowney led 0-3 to 0-1 but the Fenians responded with two good points from Ciaran Beehan and Conor Tobin. From then on the Fenians drove forward and led by 1-4 to 4 points heading into the second quarter, with Enda Purcell clinching a goal for the Fenians. Lisdowney responded with a few points of their own through Aaron Fogarty and Edward Kenny, but it was the Fenians who held the upper hand at half time, leading 1-5 to 0-7.
After the restart the Fenians responded impressively, scoring two goals one each from Enda Purcell and David Ryan. Those two goals gave the Fenians the impetus needed to close out the game and went on to score three points taking their tally to 3-8 as opposed to Lisdowney’s 0-8 heading into the closing stages.
A fight back from Lisdowney threatened, with St Kieran’s College student Pat O’Carroll plucking a goal from nothing, a quick exchange of scores now left the teams at 3-11 to 1-11. There was a flurry to the finish line but it was the Fenians who held on to achieve this year’s objective of silverware.
Scorers:
Fenians: E Purcell 2 goals, C Beehan 4 points, D Ryan 1 goal, C Tobin 0-3 points, B Purcell 2 points, R Phelan 1 point, D Dermody 1 point, C Leahy 1 point.
Lisdowney: E Kenny 4 points, Pat O’Carroll 1 goal, 1 point, A Fogarty 4 points, K Sweeney 2 points, L O’Carroll 1 point, Simon Randall 1 point.
Teams:
Fenians: John Sweeney, Michael Drennan, William Brennan, Martin Dermody, Eddie Curran, Conor Tobin, Tom Bowe, Eddie Curran, Conor Tobin, Tom Bowe, Donal Wilson, Ciarán Beehan, Breffni Purcell, Rory Phelan, Christopher Leahy, Enda Purcell, Danny Dermody, David Ryan.
Lisdowney: Aaron Fogarty, Ciaran Bergin, Michael Lennon, Andrew Hickey, Niall Kenny, Sean Phelan, George Healy, Jamie Bergin, Laurence O’Carroll, Simon Randall, Edward Kenny, Conor Stapleton, Kevin Sweeney.
