DUBLIN SHC1 SEMI-FINAL

NA FIANNA…………………….2-18

CUALA…………………………0-17

Daire Walsh

Na Fianna produced an outstanding performance at Parnell Park on Sunday to defeat Cuala and book their spot alongside Kilmacud Crokes in the Dublin Senior One Hurling Championship decider.

This will be the second of two major finals featuring these clubs, with the Na Fianna and Crokes footballers set to do battle in this weekend’s top-tier showpiece. Having also featured against St Vincent’s at the closing stage of the Dublin senior camogie championship recently, it is proving to be a memorable club season for the Glasnevin outfit.

Cuala had seven points to spare (1-25 to 2-15) over Na Fianna in a Group One encounter at the same venue on August 13, but it was last year’s beaten finalists who had much the better of the opening exchanges in their latest meeting. Thanks to points from Tom Brennan, Peter Feeney, Colin Currie, Donal Burke (two) and AJ Murphy, the northsiders were 0-6 to 0-2 in front on the first-quarter mark.

Although brothers Seán and David Treacy had found the range for their Dalkey counterparts, Diarmuid Clerkin’s superb goal at the end of a sweeping 19th-minute move helped underline Na Fianna’s intentions. While the absence of Dublin senior footballer Con O’Callaghan was keenly felt by Cuala, Liam Murphy was a more than able replacement.

He had registered three points by the 26th minute to keep the eight-time champions in the reckoning. However, they were subsequently rocked when Na Fianna netminder Jonathan Tracey’s long delivery – following a quick one-two with Conor McHugh off a puck-out – seemed to drift all the way into the net.

Colum Sheanon did fire back with a Cuala point, only for Burke to split the uprights three times in as many minutes at the opposite end. Despite conceding a third free to David Treacy, Na Fianna brought a commanding 2-12 to 0-8 cushion into the interval.

It was anticipated there would be a backlash from Cuala on the resumption, and so it proved. Supplementing a brace from Darragh O’Connell, David Treacy added 0-4 from placed-balls to leave his side four points adrift heading into the final 15 minutes of normal time.

Na Fianna initially struggled to replicate the quality of hurling that had put them in such a strong position, but Niall Ó Ceallacháin’s charges eventually came to terms with a resurgent Cuala. Courtesy of unanswered efforts from Fergal Breathnach and Sky Blues attacker Burke (two), they were in the driving seat with the finishing line in sight.

O’Connell, Murphy and David Treacy contributed a combined 15 points and all three players enhanced their personal tallies in the closing moments. Yet Na Fianna were never in danger of losing a grip on the proceedings and Burke knocked over three frees to ensure Na Fianna progressed with a degree of comfort.

MATCH FILE

SCORERS – Na Fianna: D Burke 0-10 (9f); D Clerkin, J Tracey 1-0 each; P Feeney, C Currie, AJ Murphy 0-2 each; F Breathnach, M Murphy 0-1 each. Cuala: D Treacy 0-8 (8f); L Murphy 0-4; D O’Connell 0-3; Colm Sheanon, S Treacy 0-1 each.

NA FIANNA: J Tracey; C McHugh, S Burke, D Ryan; S Baxter, L Rushe, S Currie; M Murphy, P Feeney; T Brennan, D Clerkin, C Currie; D Burke, AJ Murphy, F Breathnach. Subs: M Quilty for Baxter (48), S Ryan for AJ Murphy (52), H Fenlon for Breathnach (59).

CUALA: S Brennan; S Timlin, C O’Callaghan, A Power; D O’Connell, S Moran, D Ó Floinn; J Malone, Cillian Sheanon; D Treacy, C Cronin, Colum Sheanon; L Murphy, M Schutte, S Treacy. Subs: M Conroy for Power (26), K Kirwan for Colm Sheanon, N Carty for Cillian Sheanon (both h-t), E Murphy for S Treacy (49).

MENTORS – Na Fianna: N Ó Ceallachain, M O’Dwyer, N O’Hara. Cuala: J Twomey, S Bulfin, JJ Doyle, M Kennedy.

REFEREE: J Buckley (Setanta).

WIDES – Na Fianna: 6 (3+3). Cuala: 6 (2+4).

CONDITIONS: Blustery throughout with spells of rain and sunshine.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Peter Feeney (Na Fianna).