St Nicholas GFC 0-7 Na Pairsaigh 0-6

HT:
St Nicholas GFC 0-3
Na Pairsaigh 0-2

St.Nicholas earned a hard fought victory in the final round of the group stage in the Kevin Mullen Shield. A rain soaked Pentony Park made it difficult for free flowing football with both teams struggling early to get any scores on the board. Half way through the half the deadlock was broken by a free kick and a point from play for the visitors. Trailing by two the Nicks forward line began to find space, a Lee Kavanagh free and a fine individual score from Tadgh Martin had the home side level. A late Kavangh point from play had the Nicks leading by the minimum going into the break.

With conditions underfoot deteriorating, both teams were trying to work possession football. The Nicks showed great patience early on working scores for Sam Reilly and another Kavanagh free to extend their lead. Na Piarsaigh fought back with two from play but couldn’t find the score to level proceedings. Another Reilly and Kavanagh point kept the Nicks in front, a lead they would never give up. A late red card for the visitors allowed the Nicks to see out a fine win in difficult conditions.

St.Nicholas team;

Shane Finnegan;

Stephen Finnegan, Alex Finnegan, Andrew Starrs;

Sam Reilly (0-2), Paudi Downey, Rian Farrell;

Brian Carter, Aaron Flanagan;

Hayden Quinn, Tadgh Martin (0-1), Fionn Meagher;

Evan Byrne, Lee Kavanagh (0-4,2f), Ceabhan Housidari

Subs; Conor Faulkner for Carter, Cian O’Brien for Quinn, Declan Heeney for Housidari

Best for the Nicks; Andrew Starrs, Tadgh Martin and Lee Kavanagh