CURRIE FIRES FIANNA WIN
Hot-shot Sean in lethal form
DUBLIN MHC ‘A’ GROUP 2
NA FIANNA………………………………3-15
CUALA…………………………………….1-10
Daire Walsh
SEAN Currie was in outstanding form at St Mobhi Road on Sunday morning, when his magnificent haul of 3-9 helped Na Fianna to kick-start their Minor ‘A’ Hurling Championship campaign with a commanding victory over Cuala.
Currie and his team-mate Kevin Burke featured for the Dublin minors in last month’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Cork, while the Cuala duo of Liam Murphy and Diarmaid O Floinn also saw game-time in the same encounter.
Currie was the principle free-taker for the Sky Blues throughout their championship campaign, and he broke the deadlock with a pointed free from 60 metres last Sunday morning.
This score was supplemented by an excellent effort from play by Dublin minor footballer David Lacey, and with Currie finding the target either side of Lacey’s second point, the Glasnevin outfit were hitting the ground running.
Indeed, after he gathered a crossfield delivery by half-back Craig Berigan, Currie fired beyond the reach of Cuala netminder Cormac Spain for his opening goal of the contest. This meant that Na Fianna were already eight points in front (1-5 to 0-0) before Murphy opened the Cuala account with a coolly-converted free on 10 minutes.
This was followed by a neat point from Jim Kennedy, and even though Currie was once again on target for Na Fianna with a routine free, Cuala were starting to play with greater confidence.
The Dalkey side registered successive points through Murphy and midfielder Jack Twomey, and Murphy also cancelled out Currie’s fourth free of the half.
A point from Burke, young brother of Dublin senior hurler Donal, appeared to give Na Fianna some leeway heading towards the interval, but courtesy of a 0-2 salvo from the impressive Murphy, Cuala had reduced the gap to four points (1-8 0-7) by the midway point.
This gave the visitors a fighting chance of coming out on top, but within 30 seconds of the restart, they were presented with an uphill task.
Towering full-forward Paddy Gleeson broke the ball into the path of Currie, who raced through on goal and fired to the back of the Cuala net for a second time.
Currie was causing a host of problems for the Cuala defence, and he added successful frees in the 36th and 39th minutes.
Cuala eventually settled with Murphy’s sixth score of the proceedings, only for Na Fianna to respond with fine points by Micheal Murphy and Currie.
This ensured that Na Fianna remained in the driving seat during the final-quarter, and despite seeing further Currie scores cancelled out by Cuala wing-forwards Eoin Kennedy and Murphy, the outcome was effectively beyond doubt.
Substitute Nicholas King added his name to the scoresheet, and after he was released by Burke, Currie claimed a hat-trick of goals with a neat strike from a left-hand angle. Burke subsequently grabbed his second point of the tie, and although Cuala’s Murphy replied with a stunning stoppage-time goal, Na Fianna were convincing winners in the end.
Scorers – Na Fianna: S Currie 3-9 (0-7f), K Burke, D Lacey 0-2 each, M Murphy, N King 0-1 each. Cuala: L Murphy 1-7 (0-5f), J Twomey, E Kennedy, J Kennedy 0-1 each.
NA FIANNA: N Currie; S Fraughen, D Ryan, R Mackey; C Berigan, D Bergin, A Buggy; K Burke, P Skelly; M Murphy, S Currie, L Gaughran; N Brennan, P Gleeson, D Lacey. Subs: N King for Skelly (51), A Berigan for Murphy (64).
CUALA: C Spain; D Drummond, J O’Reilly, E O’Callaghan; M Conroy, M Tracy, C Quinn; D O Floinn, J Twomey; L Murphy, K Kirwan, E Kennedy; D Callaghan, T McGee, J Kennedy. Subs: O Fitzgerald for McGee (38), R Kelly for Callaghan (47).
MENTORS – Na Fianna: D Moran, W Bergin, P Kelly, G Whooley. Cuala: M Kirwan, D Murphy, G Byrne.
REFEREE: David Sweeney (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh).
WIDES – Na Fianna: 6 (3+3). Cuala: 8 (5+3).
CONDITIONS: Dry for the most part, but with some spells of rain.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Sean Currie (Na Fianna).