Louth GAA club | Barrs defeat Ballinacor to reach Leinster JFC last four
Ballinacor 0-12 Naomh Fionnbarra & St Anne's 1-12
Naomh Fionnbarra & St Anne's secured their place in the AIB Leinster Junior Club Football Championship semi-final with a three-point victory over Ballinacor at Echelon Park, Aughrim, on Saturday afternoon.
The Louth GAA junior champions made a good start and led by four points at half-time before holding off a second-half comeback from the Wicklow side.
The Christy Bellew Cup winners came into the tie having claimed their first ever provincial win by beating Barcelona Gaels in the first round at Ardee a fortnight ago.
Ballinacor had a good chance to open the scoring within the first 10 seconds, but Fionnbarra goalkeeper Fionn McQuillan made a strong save to deny James Murphy.
The Togher men took advantage of that early let-off and opened the scoring with a goal after three minutes. Matthew O'Reilly did well to pass to Stephen O'Reilly, who set up Niall McCreesh to blast home from close range to give Fionnbarra the ideal start.
Andrew O'Reilly followed with a fine left-footed point before Stephen O'Reilly added another score. Ciarán Markey then converted a free to put Brendan Grant's side six points ahead after just seven minutes.
Andrew O'Reilly kicked his second point before McCreesh added another from close range. Ballinacor eventually got off the mark in the 14th minute through Patrick Byrne, with James Murphy following with a free.
McCreesh responded with a fine left-footed free, but the home side began to settle into the game. Jake Byrne, Lorcan Toomey and defender Jamie Nolan kicked three points in quick succession to reduce the deficit for the Wicklow champions.
McCreesh replied with a point that went over with the help of the upright, but Ballinacor continued to close the gap. Midfielder John Toomey and James Murphy added further points before McCreesh kicked another fine score at the end of the first half.
Half-time: Ballinacor 0-7 Naomh Fionnbarra & St Anne's 1-8.
Fionnbarra had the wind behind them in the second half and extended their lead through Stephen O'Reilly before Chris McGlynn followed with another to put six between the teams.
However, Ballinacor responded well as James Murphy converted a two-point free, before goalkeeper Ger Byrne landed a 45 to reduce the deficit to three.
Lorcan Toomey then kicked another point to leave just two between the sides, but Fionnbarra had a chance to increase their lead a minute later, only for Byrne to save Stephen O'Reilly's goal-bound effort.
The Barrs missed further chances before Murphy kicked another point with ten minutes remaining to bring Ballinacor within one. Fionnbarra needed a response, and substitute William Woods delivered, kicking two scores to restore a three-point advantage.
The closing stages became heated, with Ballinacor midfielder John Toomey receiving a red card in the 60th minute. Fionnbarra's Woods was also sent off after receiving a black card followed by a red card, while Matthew O'Reilly received a red card in the 65th minute.
The Louth team held on to secure the victory and will now face Meath champions Curraha in the semi-final on Saturday, 28th November, with the venue and time to be confirmed.
Full-time: Ballinacor 0-12 Naomh Fionnbarra & St Anne's 1-12.
Ballinacor scorers: James Murphy (0-5, 1tpf, 1f), Lorcan Toomey (0-2), Patrick Byrne (0-1), Jake Byrne (0-1), Jamie Nolan (0-1), John Toomey (0-1), Ger Byrne (0-1, 1 45).
Naomh Fionnbarra & St Anne's scorers: Niall McCreesh (1-4,1f), Andrew O'Reilly (0-2), Stephen O'Reilly (0-2), William Woods (0-2), Ciarán Markey (0-1,1f), Chris McGlynn (0-1).
Ballinacor: Ger Byrne (0-1, 1 45; Jamie Nolan (0-1), Philip Toomey, Christopher Nacey; Peter Kennedy, Philip Byrne, Christopher Murphy (c); John Toomey (0-1), Patrick Byrne (0-1); John Devitt, James Murphy (0-5, 1tpf, 1f), Lorcan Toomey (0-2); Dean Carter, Joe Mason, Jake Byrne (0-1).
Subs: Conor Parsons on for John Devitt (21'), Torna Mulconry on for Philip Byrne (43'), Adam Manley on for Jamie Nolan (56').
Naomh Fionnbarra & St Anne's: Fionn McQuillan; Stephen Doyle, Ronan Callaghan, Adam Kirwan; Chris McGlynn (0-1), Josh Crosbie (jc), Andrew O'Reilly (0-2); Matthew O'Reilly, Jack Butterly; Conor Osborne (jc), Stephen O'Reilly (0-2), Padraig Butterly; Niall McCreesh (1-4,1f), Ciarán Markey (0-1,1f), Hugh Osborne.
Subs: William Woods (0-2) on for Josh Crosbie (50'), Ronan McCreesh on for Conor Osborne (67')
Referee: Paddy McDermott (Kildare).