Doran points way for Na Fianna in SFC1 win over Whitehall

Na Fianna, this year's recently crowned AFL1 champions, got their Go-Ahead Dublin SFC1 Group 1 account off to a winning start when defeating a battling Whitehall Colmcille 1-18 to 0-12 at Parnell Park on Friday night.

Na Fianna were nine points clear at the interval, 0-15 to 0-6, with David Quinn's goal in the 56th minute the only goal of the contest.

Whitehall enjoyed plenty of possession in the second half and outscored their opponents 0-3 to 0-1 in the third quarter while Matt Moran moved out the field from his full-back position to try quell the influence of Na Fianna's James Doran.

However, they really needed a goal by that stage if they were to mount a heroic comeback.

They did have the opportunity in the 42nd minute from the penalty spot, after the industrious and pacey Enda O'Donnell was fouled, but Cormac Costello's effort was well saved low to his right by Na Fianna keeper Stephen Murray.

Cormac Costello added four second half points to his three in the opening half to tally 0-7 (0-6f) overall while Eddie Moran hit a second point of the game in the 54th minute.

The Glasnevin side, managed by Larry Norton, had eight different scores over the hour with Dublin senior Aaron Byrne coming on during the second half to inject fresh life into their attack, he also added a fine point when he linked the play from deep defence into attack.

Na Fianna held a 0-15 to 0-6 advantage at half-time with James Doran in inspirational form.

Doran hit four points from play by the interval but was also central to many other scores and was denied a goal in the ninth minute but the woodwork, his shot hitting the underside of the crossbar.

Eoin Murchan was also denied by the woodwork in the 20th minute when he looked sure to goal.

Whitehall started well and led 0-3 to 0-2 by the seventh minute with Seán Giles, Cormac Costello (free) and Eddie Moran on target.

The scores started to dry up as the half progressed despite the best efforts of Enda O'Donnell and Cormac Costello in their attack.

After trailing 0-3 to 0-4 in the 12th minute, following a point from Whitehall's Keith Campbell, Na FIanna kicked the next eight scores and to open up a 0-11 to 0-4 lead by the 23rd minute.

Na Fianna defender Darragh Kennedy joined his attack to telling effect on a number of occasions as the St Mobhi Road outfit started to put distance between the sides.

Apart from James Doran's first-half tally of four points (off both left and right) from play, Conor McHugh (0-4, 0-2f) and David Lacey (0-3, 0-1f) - also using left and right - were Na Fianna's chief marksmen in the opening 30 minutes.