Clontarf Win Promotion Back To Senior 1 Championship, With Victory Over Naomh Barróg

Pic Courtesy to Conor Ryan

CLONTARF 2-10 

NAOMH BARRÓG 0-12

Clontarf progressed to the final of the Go Ahead Dublin Senior 2 Football Championship following their four point victory over Naomh Barróg in their last-four clash at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

In doing so, they completed their return to the top flight of the championship and they were full value for their victory, with the foundation based on a heavily-manned and disciplined defence.

At the opposite end pf the field, Kieran McKeown proved their match-winner with a personal tally of 1-8, with his second-half goal effectively settling the issue with eleven minutes remaining.

The first-half saw plenty in terms of endeavour but lacked a degree of attacking enterprise despite Charlie Meehan opening the scoring for Clontarf in the 2^nd minute.

Naomh Barróg replied in an instant as Sean McHugh jinked inside and out before splitting the uprights for an excellent solo score.

Both teams were extremely patient in their build-up play and although Sean Gallagher injected some pace in the Barróg attack when kicking a fine score off his left foot in the 5^th minute.

Clontarf were in need of some inspiration at this stage and it arrived in the form of two points in quick succession by Kieran McKeown before ‘Tarf pounced for the game’s opening goal in the 14^th minute.

McKeown was heavily involved once again as he fought off the close attentions of Noel Hatton before providing an inviting pass to the in-rushing Shane Walsh, who palmed home from close range.

Far from building on that score, Clontarf retreated further towards their own half, failing to score for the remainder of the half as their opponents finally found some attacking momentum approaching the interval.

Having been held scoreless for the previous nineteen minutes, Paul Tolan converted a long-distance free in the 24^th minute and the talented midfielder added a cracking point from play soon after to enhance his team’s prospects.

Mick Tolan added to the Barróg tally in the 27^th minute after an enterprising raid from wing-back as the Kilbarrack outfit trimmed their deficit to the bare minimum (1-3 to 0-5) by half-time.

The contest resumed with Dave McCormack in the Barróg goal making two vital interventions to deny Rory Goode and Matias MacDonncha in quick succession although Clontarf gained some reward as McKeown popped over the resultant ‘45’s.

Barróg played their way back into contention as Sean Gallagher and Killian Foran kicked impressive points to keep them in Clontarf’s slipstream.

Tolan and McKeown traded points as the half progressed before Clontarf made a decisive burst in the early stages of the fourth quarter.

A trademark burst from deep saw Jack McCaffrey edge his side three points clear and from the resultant kick-out, Nathan Doran gathered possession before supplying McKeown for a lethal finish past McCormack.

Tolan managed to pop over four points in the closing stages but it was fitting that McKeown should have the final word on the counter-attack in added time, completing a deserved win for Clontarf.

Scorers – Clontarf: K McKeown 1-8 (0-4f, 0-2 ’45), S Walsh 1-0, C Meehan, J McCaffrey 0-1 apiece. Naomh Barróg: P Tolan 0-7 (5f), S Gallagher 0-2, M Tolan, K Foran, S McHugh 0-1 apiece.

Clontarf: B Dufficy; B Bolger, L Howley, C Aherne; S Walsh, N Doran, J McCaffrey; L Cunningham, M Walsh; F McCarrick, M MacDonncha, C Meehan; M McMahon, K McKeown, R Goode. Subs: K Millar for McMahon (41), F Delaney for M Walsh (43), K Lillis for Goode (47), D Fagan for Cunningham (49), A Byrne for S Walsh (55).

Naomh Barróg: D McCormack; M Rooney, N Hatton, A Comerford; M Tolan, G Bodor, E Hart; P Tolan, R Alexander; H Nolan, C Gallagher, S Gallagher; L Durran, K Foran, S McHugh. Subs: D Keegan for Rooney (49), M Nolan for McHugh (50), F Alexander for Nolan (55), M Owen for R Alexander (62).

Referee: Liam Aherne Clarke (Ballyboughal).