Na Fianna Get Past Raheny In Go-Ahead Ireland SFC1 Opener

Image courtesy Eamon O'Callaghan 

NA FIANNA 1-17 

RAHENY 1-13 

A strong first-half showing proved decisive as Na Fianna overcame Raheny by four points in their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 1 Football Championship Group 2 opener at Parnell Park on Friday evening.

Na Fianna looked crisp from the outset with Conor McHugh’s 10^th minute goal and five David Lacey points leaving them well placed with a 1-11 to 0-6 advantage by half-time.

Despite playing against the breeze upon the restart, Raheny proved a far more determined proposition and a Sean Grenham goal helped them to within three points by the 38^th minute.

However, their comeback proved elusive as McHugh kicked three vital second-half points to confirm a winning start for Tom Gray’s side.

There was an enterprising start from both teams with James Doran opening the scoring inside the first minute while Raheny opened their own account through Adam McAweeney two minutes later.

David Lacey and Sean Hendrick (free) traded points soon after before Na Fianna began to gain a stranglehold on proceedings as they edged back in front thanks to Conor McHugh.

Gavin Ivory denied Aaron Byrne from close range in the 8^th minute but the stand-in Raheny goalkeeper proved powerless two minutes later as McHugh was afforded far too much time close to goal, slotting home with ease from six yards.

A fine score by Byrne pushed Na Fianna six points clear by the 12^th minute and while Darren Lunney and Hendrick replied at the opposite end, Lacey and McHugh added to their personal tallies as the half progressed.

Raheny, who missed the driving runs from defence of the absent Sean MacMahon, were offered a modicum of hope following scores from Alan McLoughlin and Ivory (free).

However, Lacey was proving hugely accurate as he revelled in the open spaces and two sublime points in quick succession, one off either foot, pushed his side eight points to the good by the interval. 

Early points from Brian Howard and Hendrick saw Raheny resume in an impressive manner, initially at least, and they looked far more energised as Sean Grenham added to their tally by the 36^th minute.

Grenham was on the mark soon after, punching to the net as a Lunney free dropped short, and suddenly, there was just three points separating the sides as Na Fianna’s listlessness in the third quarter contrasted hugely with their first-half efforts.

A tidy McHugh point in the 40^th minute helped steady their ship somewhat and the dual player added further breathing room seven minutes later with a contested point off his left boot.

Back came Raheny through frees by Hendrick and Lunney but their opponents kept them at arm’s length as substitute Ciarán Reddin and McHugh added insurance points in the final quarter.

Scorers – Na Fianna: C McHugh 1-5; D Lacey 0-6 (2f); D O’Hanlon (‘45’), D Kennedy, J Doran, B O’Leary, A Byrne, C Reddin 0-1 apiece. Raheny: S Grenham 1-2 (0-1f); S Hendrick 0-4 (4f); D Lunney 0-2 (1f); G Ivory (f), B Howard, A McLoughlin, A McAweeney, C Ivers 0-1 apiece.

Na Fianna: D O’Hanlon; E Murchan, E O’Dea, F Potts; D Kennedy, J Cooper, A Rafter; J Doran, D Ryan; D Quinn, A Byrne, D Lacey; S Caffrey, C McHugh, B O’Leary. Subs: C Reddin for O’Leary (40), T Brennan for Ryan (43), S Smith for Caffrey (47), C Baxter for Murchan (51), V Flynn for Cooper (54).

Raheny: G Ivory; G McNamara, S Shatwell, B McHugh; C Hehir, B Howard, R Real; B Fenton, B Talty; A McLoughlin, D Lunney, A McAweeney; C Foran, S Grenham, S Hendrick. Subs: T Hurley for Hehir (half-time), P Reid for Foran (half-time), C Ivers for Hendrick (54),

Referee: Darren Delaney (Wanderers).