Match Reports
INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL ST MARYS 3-9 ST FINBARRS 2-10
DESPITE facing a two-goal deficit at the break, a sensational second-half fightback from St. Marys proved enough to seal a two-point victory over St. Finbarrs in Sunday afternoon’s Intermediate decider at Pairc na hÉireann.
Wing-forward Paddy Willis proved to be the Coventry side’s undoing with two excellent second-half goals, and with the game firmly in the balance midfielder Andy Willis landed the critical third goal for the Wolverhampton side.
Finbarrs made light of the dreary conditions from the first whistle and an early snap shot from Damian Cassidy gave his side a dream start with the first of Finbarrs’ two goals.
A Paddy Willis free settled nerves at the other end, however it was the Coventry side who were making the early running. Tom Timmins could have struck a second goal on 10 minutes but his swivelled volley flashed over the bar.
With Willis landing three first-half frees, Marys were finding themselves restricted by a fiercely competitive Finbarrs midfield and half-back line, Peter McLaughlin’s launched strike from outfield the highlight of two points from open play.
However Finbarrs were making inroads in the Marys backline and further pressure paid off with their second goal of the afternoon. Some nimble passing in the full-forward line allowed Luke McKirnan time and space to fizz a shot into the back of the net.
Two further points from Martin Quirke and Martin Crowley moments before the interval increased St. Finbarrs’ lead, leaving St. Marys with a tough task in the second-half if they were to clamber back into contention.
And clamber back they did thanks to the first of two second-half Willis goals. A free awarded 20 yards out was likely to yield the first point of the half, however a clipped shot from Willis veered underneath Finbarrs’ crossbar and sailed into the net. It was the catalyst Marys were looking for and despite another Quirke free for Finbarrs, his second of five points for the afternoon, Marys were about to make the game’s most significant contribution.
A combination of direct passing and a deft flick from Ryan McAllister saw Willis storm into the breach and the forward fired a 20-yard strike into the top corner for a superb second goal to bring Marys back to parity. Reclaiming the breaking ball from the next serious phase of possession, Gerry Bradley made enough space for himself to land another important point from distance.
Both sides were feeling the intensity of the final and as the tackles flew in and anticipation on the touchlines grew, Andy Willis strode forward from midfield to lob a speculative effort from 30 yards into the back of the net. The tide had now turned totally in favour of the Wolverhampton side and as centreforward Bradley rolled on to land his third score of the game, Marys had accumulated a three-point advantage.
Every phase of possession was vital to both sides and with Marys seizing some midfield ascendancy through the efforts of McLaughlin and Willis, they continued to press forward seeking scores.
They were to be rewarded once more as a mix-up in the Finbarrs defence gave Ross Stokes time and space to curl his first score of the game over the bar.
Chasing the game in the final five minutes, Finbarrs threw caution to the wind and almost found a vital third goal as a breaking ball fell to Scott Darragh, however his fierce strike found the wrong side of the crossbar. Two further frees were not enough and despite a frenetic final minute Marys were able to dig the ball out of defence and to safety.
Ultimately it was Marys’ secondhalf display that proved the difference, with the majority of their scores coming in this period. The final whistle brought the curtain down on a great game of Championship football and brought celebrations to the fans who had made their way from Wolverhampton as St. Marys clinched their second Intermediate Championship in three years.
