Faughs are denied in Hurling ‘A’ Championship decider
FAUGHS threw away a five-point lead after half-time as they lost 2-16 to 2-12 in their Under 15 ‘A’ Hurling Championship decider against Na Fianna in Parnell Park on Sunday.
Despite building up a dividend of five-points with Niall Fitzgibbon, Mikey Moore and James O’Brien leading the charge, it was all undone when substitute John Cleary found the back of the Templeogue side’s net.
Faughs were stopped short of the Under 15A Hurling Championship title on Sunday
Corner-forward Liam Mostyn opened his side’s account after he turned his marker and dropped the shoulder before pointing.
Faughs opened up a five-point gap when the clinical wing-forward Niall Fitzgibbon began to punish from place balls while Mikey Moore dominated in midfield while also picking up a brace of points.
However, Na Fianna restored parity after half-forward Jack Guinan slotted beyond Faughs’ shotstopper Kevin Horgan.
Fortune appeared to be running against the Division One League Champions in the first-half, as goals from Sean Cooney and Fitzgibbon were ruled out for square-balls.
By the interval, Faughs managed to re-establish their lead with centre-back James O’Brien firing over from a ‘65’ and Liam Lynch Crowe glancing over from full-forward to make it 0-10 to 1-6.
After the break Faughs earned a bit of luck when centre-forward Cooney saw his effort end up in the back of the net after the sliotar ricocheted off Liam Faye’s hurl.
An Na Fianna attack, led by full-forward Tom Brennan, proved difficult to contain for Faughs defenders as he ran rampant scoring 0-11 overall, with six coming from frees.
Substitutes John Cleary and Jack Burke helped rejuvenate the Na Fianna frontline scoring a goal and 0-2 respectfully.
O’Brien saw his long-range free sneak under the crossbar to bring it back to within a point, but Na Fianna dug deep in the closing moments to ensure the cup was going to Glasnevin.
