Na Fianna edged out in Leinster SHC Decider

Sat, 2nd December 2023

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS 0-22

NA FIANNA 1-18

It proved a heartbreaking defeat for Na Fianna as they succumbed to O’Loughlin Gaels by the tightest of margins in their absorbing AIB Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship final at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Dublin champions could not have produced a more committed display and looked like they could deliver on their ambitions when Sean Currie pounced for an excellent goal in the 39^th minute to push his team two points clear.

However, with Paddy Deegan in exceptional form for their opponents, O’Loughlin Gaels gradually came back into contention with an injury time free from Mark Bergin eventually separating these well-matched teams.

It was a bright start from the Glasnevin side as Sean Currie split the posts from towards the sideline in the 2^nd minute.

They were indebted to Kevin Burke in retaining their lead two minutes later as he scrambled back to clear off his line after Sean Bolger had shot beyond the out-rushing Jonathan Tracey.

Bergin levelled matters from that advantage with successive points from the imperious Deegan and a second Bergin free moving the Kilkenny champions two points ahead.

Colin Currie and Bergin traded points from play as the first quarter evolved before successive points from Brian Ryan and Currie saw the teams deadlocked at 0-4 apiece by the 13^th minute.

Crucially, Na Fianna were caught in possession a number of times and were suitably punished with Bergin adding a further three frees to augment a score from play by Cian Molloy.

John Tierney eventually broke the spell of O’Loughlin Gaels scores in the 21^st minute and Na Fianna’s deficit was down to the bare minimum soon after as Colin Currie converted two placed balls.

Bergin and Colin Currie continued to dominate the scoring and although Ryan added another fine score from midfield, Na Fianna faced a two-point interval deficit (0-11 to 0-9) following points by Deegan and Jack Nolan.

Na Fianna regrouped superbly at the break as they controlled the early stages of the second-half with Colin Currie popping over a point apiece from play and a free to level matters.

David Fogarty and Ryan ensured that the teams remained deadlocked and while Deegan edged Gaels a point clear with another sublime score, Na Fianna fought back with a wonderful team goal.

Some intricate play released Colin Currie in space down the middle and he eschewed the easier option of taking his point when passing to brother Sean, who cut inside and fired powerfully to the corner of the net from eight yards.

The O’Loughlin Gaels response was as immediate as it was impressive with points by Conor Heary and Bergin bringing them back on level terms at 1-13 to 0-16 by the 44^th minute.

Points in quick succession from Colin Currie and AJ Murphy saw Na Fianna restore their two-point lead but crucially, they were unable to extend that margin, as Deegan and Bergin continued to add on scores at the opposite end.

The likes of Liam Rushe, Diarmuid Clerkin, Conor McHugh and Donal Ryan were defending heroically for Na Fianna, allowing Colin Currie and Murphy to tag on points, only for these scores to be negated by Deegan and Luke Hogan as the parity was restored by 58^th minute.

The teams scrambled for possession over numerous rucks in the dying stages with Bergin calmly converting a 61^st minute to inflict a painful defeat on the Dublin champions by the final whistle.

Scorers – O’Loughlin Gaels: M Bergin 0-11 (9f), P Deegan 0-5, D Fogarty 0-2, J Nolan, C Loy, C Heary, L Hogan 0-1 apiece. Na Fianna: C Currie 0-11 (8f, 1 ‘65’), S Currie 1-1, B Ryan 0-3, AJ Murphy 0-2, J Tierney 0-1.

O’Loughlin Gaels: S Murphy; T Forristal, H Lawlor, M Butler; D Fogarty, P Deegan, J Molloy; J Nolan, C Loy; C Heary, M Bergin, E O'Shea; P Butler, O Wall, S Bolger. Subs: L Hogan for P Butler (26), C Kelly for Loy (49), J Ryan for Nolan (54).

Na Fianna: J Treacy; S Burke, C McHugh, D Clerkin; P O'Dea, L Rushe, K Burke; B Ryan, P Feeney; J Tierney, M Murphy, S Currie; C Stacey, AJ Murphy, C Currie. Subs: D Ryan for O'Dea (13), S Barrett for Feeney (46), S Baxter for Stacey (53), G King for Tierney (60).

Referee: Caymon Flynn (Westmeath)