Leahy relieved to deliver the goods

THE relief on the face of St Finbarr’s coach Tony Leahy was palpable at the final whistle as his side won back their senior status after just one year in the lower grade.

“It’s a tremendous relief to have won the game and gone back up senior,” said Leahy. It’s where a club the size of St Finbarr’s should be.

“It was a tough, sporting game as I expected it would be. Vincent’s came at us very early and got the scores but, once we settled and Roy got the goal, we settled well and played some great football.

“As is our wont, we fell asleep for about 10 minutes during which Vincent’s came storming back, but we held our nerve particularly in defence.

“Once we didn’t concede a goal I felt we would win it, but you have to give credit to Vincent’s they didn’t go down without a fight.

“Coming up to half time we had only a point lead, but the second goal (scored by Robert O’Mahony) was crucial and gave us the cushion we needed because Vincent’s were always going to have their period of dominance.

“Overall I’m delighted for everyone involved and for the club in particular. We need to be playing in the senior grade all the time with the huge numbers we have. Hopefully, we can stay there now and that the work will continued to be done to ensure that. It’s been a difficult 12 months for us. Thankfully, it’s behind us now and we can go on from here.

“We have a lot of very good young players coming through and a senior title is not beyond us in the future.”

Understandably the mood in the St Vincent’s camp was sombre, but selector Keith Ricken said it was great to be part of such a superb final.

“Obviously we are disappointed at not winning, but that’s no fault of anyone. St Finbarr’s showed just how good a side they are. We needed a goal to have any chance and that never looked like coming as the Barrs defence stood tall. When we look back on the game, we will be pleased to play a part in a great occasion. The game could have gone any way, but the Barrs forwards were lethal every time they were in possession and kicked some fantastic points.

“Good luck to them. We’ll regroup in the coming weeks and have a look as to where we are going. Hopefully, we can get back to the final again because this is a very good group of players we have and they deserve to get something from the game before they call it a day.”