Brigid's fend off Na Fianna to qualify for SHC 'A' semi-final

Brigid’s fend off Na Fianna to qualify for SHC ‘A’ semi-final

Sun, 22nd September 2019

DUBLIN SHC ‘A’ QUARTER-FINAL

ST BRIGID’S 2-19 NA FIANNA 2-16

St Brigid's booked their berth in the Dublin SHC 'A' semi-final with this three-point quarter-final victory over Na Fianna in Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon.

The prize for the Russell Park men is a semi-final clash with Craobh Chiaráin (Sunday, October 6, Parnell Park) which will see Brigid's manager Johnny McGuirk pitted against the club he starred for during his playing career.

McGuirk's son, also Johnny, scored one of Brigid's two goals, his coming five minutes into the second half to give his side a 2-10 to 1-10 advantage after the sides were deadlock, 1-9 each, at the interval.

In this high-scoring duel Brigid's held slightly the upperhand to the finish with Paul Winters, Eoghan Dunne and Cian O'Sullivan doing the scoring as they progressed to the last-four.

By the midpoint of the opening half three Winters scores in succession, including two frees, gave Brigid's a 0-7 to 0-4 lead.

"It's great to be there. We'll just go at it, we'll prepare...nothing to lose"@StBrigidsGAA manager Johnny McGuirk spoke to #DubsTV after his side's #DSHCA Quarter Final win over Na Fianna this afternoon pic.twitter.com/At94IBXQJE
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) September 22, 2019

Seán Currie converted his second free of the contest for Na Fianna before Brigid's full-forward Kevin Callaghan fired to the net after being setup by Winters.

AJ Murphy and Cian O'Sullivan exchanged points before brothers Seán (free) and Colin Currie were on target for Na Fianna.

Eoghan McHugh closed the gap to two points before Dublin senior Donal Burke rattled the net following good work by Murphy to put Na Fianna in front, 1-9 to 1-8.

In first half added time Winters pointed to leave it all square at half-time.

Winters and McHugh had both added points for their respective sides before McGuirk hit Brigid's second goal.

With ten minutes remaining an AJ Murphy goal brought Na Fianna right back into contention as they trailed 2-16 to 2-15.

But crucially Brigid's got the next two scores, both from Cian O'Sullivan.

Murphy, who tallied 1-4 from play, was on target again before Winters made sure of victory for Brigid's with the concluding point of this duel.

SCORERS – St Brigid’s: P Winters 0-9 (0-5f), C O’Sullivan 0-5, E Dunne 0-4 (0-1 sline), K Callaghan, J McGuirk 1-0 each, A Murphy 0-1. Na Fianna: S Currie 0-8 (0-7f), AJ Murphy 1-4, E McHugh 0-3, D Burke 1-0, C Currie 0-1.