Barrs praise for dual heroes after tough week

Finbarr's came up just short in the football decider against Nemo Rangers.

Brian Hayes of St Finbarr's in action against Briain Murphy of Nemo Rangers. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Ian Keeler paid tribute to St Finbarr’s dual players who helped the club reach hurling and football finals, only to suffer double disappointment.

John Wigginton-Barrett, Brian Hayes, William Buckley, and Ciarán Doolan played every minute of both deciders. The former trio combined for 2-4, while Doolan assisted their second goal in a standout performance from centre-back.

“It was a huge effort from all the boys,” said Barrs selector Keeler. “Especially the dual lads there, like William, Ciarán, Brian, Johnny, and the lads. To go to two county finals in seven days, you just have to take your hat off to them.

“Huge credit to them. They give it all for the club, they're tremendous players, and even though we lost, we're very proud of them.” 

Moving Hayes into full-forward gave the Barrs a foothold as they came from eight points behind to get within one before Nemo Rangers notched the last three in succession.

“Brian was rotating in and out, because he gives you so much out the field as well,” said Keeler. “But when he went in there, he caused a lot of havoc.

“When we got back to a point, we’d one or two bad decisions with the ball and, look, that happens when you're chasing the game.

“You're right there at the death and it’s small margins, but in fairness to Nemo, when they got the ball back in injury time, they went up the field and got a couple of scores.” For the Barrs, injuries to defenders Alan O'Connor and Fionn Crowley were costly blows.

“Alan hurt his calf during the semi-final against Clon and unfortunately the game just came too quick for him,” said Keeler.

“Fionn Crowley picked up an injury in training. He played some part, but look, they were two guys who played very well the last day.” Keeler felt Nemo’s goal in first-half stoppage time, which doubled their interval lead to six points, was a body blow.

“I mean 8-5 down, coming to play with the wind, but the goal just psychologically was a big lift for them.

“Our lads kept on fighting and fighting, got back into the game, and near the end, we got back to a point and maybe had one or two chances. Then Nemo in the last couple of minutes got a bit of a run on us again.

“It wasn’t our day, but you absolutely couldn't fault the effort of them, an absolutely brilliant group of players, and we'll dust ourselves down and we'll come back again next year.

“It's Nemo's day. Last year was our day and we're a big club and great tradition and win or lose, you take the game for what it was. We just congratulate Nemo.”