'We’re just relieved' - Barrs take care of business against Newcestown

The Blues didn’t know they were safe until the final whistle and it wasn’t until word reached Newcestown moments later that they knew they too had nothing to worry about.

Mon, 09 Sep, 2024 - 10:45

John Fogarty

Cork PSHC: St Finbarrs 3-17 Newcestown 0-20

Relief was the overriding emotion as St Finbarr's signed off their 2024 championship with a comprehensive win over Newcestown on Sunday.

The victory ultimately meant nothing tangible as Charleville’s defeat to Kanturk consigned them to a face-off with Bishopstown to avoid the drop from the premier senior stakes.

But St Finbarrs didn’t know they were safe until the final whistle and it wasn’t until word reached Newcestown moments later that they knew they too had nothing to worry about.

William Buckley’s brace of goals in the first half set The Barrs on their way to achieving a result in Cloughduv that puts a silver lining on a cloud that threatened to spoil their season.

It was a performance that required all hands on deck. Despite tearing his hamstring for the footballers last month, Ethan Twomey was available to start and make a telling impact in his side winning the midfield battle.

“Glad to be over it, to be honest with you,” said St Finbarrs selector Seán McCarthy. “A tough assignment. Newcestown are battle-hardy opponents and with the year we’ve had we’re just relieved.

“There was pressure on undoubtedly. It was a complicated between Cork and being a dual club. It brought its pressure but I thought the lads responded very well. They dug deep the last couple of weeks now since the Fr O’Neill’s game.

“Injuries made the season complicated and it was fantastic that Cork got so far but the reality of the situation is for the first game against Blackrock we saw some of the players for the first time on the Sunday before the game on Friday. It was very difficult.

“We were compounded by injuries this year. Billy Hennessy was a big loss to us. We had a number of people out – Ethan (Twomey) was missing the last day. Conor Cahalane obviously as well. The season’s over now, we got the win that we needed to stay senior and that’s probably the most important thing out of today.”

St Finbarrs’ grunt work had been done in the first half when they faced a hefty breeze. In the second, the players were mostly business-like in how they solidified a win over Newcestown who also avoid the drop.

Courtesy of Buckley goals and the opener from Twomey, St Finbarrs enjoyed a 3-7 to 0-13 point lead at the interval. It was a satisfying advantage but they didn’t have it much easier in the third quarter.

Admittedly, it was Richard O’Sullivan’s marksmanship which was keeping the scoreboard ticking over for Newcestown but they weren’t tailing off. Scores may have come easier for St Finbarrs but the goal openings went abegging. Brian Hayes’ batted effort in the 45th minute was tame and Cathal Wilson denied Buckley his hat-trick four minutes later.

Still, Newcestown never troubled St Finbarrs’ goal and that ultimately proved the difference. Meanwhile, Ben Cunningham and Jack Cahalane were standing tall with great scores to keep St Finbarrs in the driving seat.

In the eighth minute. Twomey struck low to the Newcestown net as referee Diarmuid Kirwan played good advantage for a foul in the build-up.

The teams were level on three more occasions before St Finbarrs hit their opponents for two goals in the space of three minutes.

Moving Hayes to centre-forward and playing with a four-man half-back line made sense when the elements weren’t in their favour.

Hayes laid off both goals, the first in the 18th minute in a move that originated close to the sideline. Jack Cahalane squared to Hayes who repeated the favour for Buckley to find the net.

Soon after, Buckley was celebrating again when he batted the ball for a second green flag as Hayes was provider once more to push St Finbarrs six ahead, 3-7 to 0-10.

“They (goals) were crucial,” agreed McCarthy. “Ethan got a fantastic goal and he was touch and go whether he was going to play today.

"William Buckley got two fantastic goals made by Brian Hayes. Brian put in a big shift today, to be fair.”

Scorers for St Finbarrs: W. Buckley (2-1); B. Cunningham (0-6, 2 frees); J. Cahalane (0-5); E. Twomey (1-1); B. Hayes (0-2); A. Casey, E. Finn (0-1 each).

Scorers for Newcestown: R. O’Sullivan (0-10, frees); C. Dinneen (0-4); C. O’Donovan, D. Buckley (0-2 each); S. O’Donovan, N. Kelly (0-1 each).

ST FINBARRS: S. Hurley; C. Doolan, J. Burns (c), E. Keane; C. Crowley, D. Cahalane, E. Finn, A. Casey; E. Twomey, P. Buggy; J. Cahalane, B. Hayes, B. Cunningham; J. Willington-Barrett, W. Buckley.

Subs: S. Cunningham for A. Casey (47); A. Barry for P. Buggy (60+1).

NEWCESTOWN: C. Wilson; M. McSweeney, F. Keane, J. Kelleher; C. O’Neill, L. Meade, E. Collins (c); T. Twomey, C. O’Donovan; S. O’Donovan, R. O’Sullivan, D. Buckley; C. Dinneen, R. O’Sulllivan, D. Buckley.

Subs: O. Walsh for N. Kelly (47).

Referee: D. Kirwan (Éire Óg).