Division 1 Football League: St Finbarr’s beat Douglas in dour game

Douglas 0-5 St Finbarr’s 1-6 

THE final scoreline epitomises this game in a nutshell as St Finbarr’s saw off Douglas in the McCarthy Insurance Division 1 Football League at Douglas on Saturday.

Despite the warm conditions there was a stiff wind that both teams struggled when playing against it only amassing one point each.

On the other side of the coin the Barrs took better advantage playing with the wind and in the end that proved the difference of a disappointing spectacle of football.

It was a possession game in the opening eight minutes but Cillian Myers-Murray will be wondering how he didn’t find the target with two good opportunities in front of the posts.

After some good build up play in the eight minute the Barrs eventually ended their drought with a classy goal. A brilliant solo run by centre-back Alan O’Connor saw him assist a fabulous pass to Shay Fenton who fisted the ball past the bewildered keeper.

The Barrs went into the game minus the majority of their championship starting 15 but to be fair Douglas were also missing many key players.

In a low-scoring game the Barrs took another 10 minutes to register their first white flag courtesy from the boot of Jack Fitzsimons.

Cillian Myers-Murray eventually broke his duck when he kicked a long range free two minutes later as the Barrs lead increased to five points.

Douglas after going 26 minutes without a score eventually got up and running when goalkeeper Andrew Cotter kicked a free.

The Barrs looked to be gaining momentum as the half matured and they finished in style with a classy point from wing back Colm Lyons that saw them go in at the break commanding a seven point lead 1-5 to 0-1.

Douglas playing with the aid of the stiff wind needed a good start and they looked lively in the opening exchanges when Alan O’Hare split the posts in the 32nd minute following a free.

In typical Barrs style, they bounced back and three minutes later the hard working corner forward Cillian Myers-Murray got fouled when in possession.

The Barrs ace looked a serious prospect coming from the juvenile ranks of the club and he now looks back to his best in the manner he can kick with both feet.

The resultant free against the wind was tricky but he judged it to perfection and it gave the Barrs back their seven-point cushion.

This year, Barrs manager Brian Roche has brought in the legendary Jimmy Barry-Murphy as part of his selection team and there is little doubt they look a side that could test the aspirations of many teams in the forthcoming championship.

Douglas did press the Barrs coming down the stretch but when O’Hare added his second point in the 39th minute they took 22 minutes before Sean O’Leary raised their third white flag of the half.

The home side did have the final say with a late Harry Quilligan point but both sides will be disappointed to have two players red carded with 12 minutes remaining.

The Barrs’ Colm Scully and the Douglas wing-back Dylan Ward were involved in a minor scuffle and suffered the consequences for their actions.

In the end both teams, playing without the core of their championship teams, were pleased to hear the sound of the final whistle after a game of few scoring opportunities.

Scorers for Douglas: A O’Hare 0-2 f, A Cotter (f), S O’Leary, H Quilligan 0-1 each.

St Finbarr’s: C Myers-Murray 0-4 (0-3 f), S Fenton 1-0, J Fitzsimons, C Lyons 0-1 each.

DOUGLAS: A Cotter; C Mac Phaidin, D Buckley, D O’Callaghan; B Powter, L Fogarty, D Ward; K Shanahan, N Hartnett; L Healy, S O’Leary, S Ahern; A O’Hare, S Tobin, H Quilligan.

Sub: A McGowan for C McCarthy (35).

St FINBARR’S: C Keane; S Ryan, F Crowley C McCarthy; C Lyons, A O’Connor, C Scully; C Doolan T O’Keeffe; A McCarthy, W Buckley, A Lyne; S Fenton, J Fitzsimons, C Myers-Murray.

Sub: C Jordan for S Fenton (inj 45).

Referee: Robert Whelan (Gleann Na Laoi).