Premier 2 MHC: St Finbarr's hold off Youghal fightback to advance to the final

St Finbarr’s: 2-16

Youghal: 1-17

St Finbarr’s have advanced to the final of the Rebel Óg Premier 2 MHC after edging past Youghal at MTU Cork on Thursday evening.

The city side were the better balanced team overall in this last four clash as they will now meet Shandrum in the decider after the North Cork outfit defeated Carrigtwohill by three points.

The key to the winning of this game came in the first half as the team in royal blue and gold built up a healthy lead. They led by eight points after 18 minutes, and despite Youghal rallying in the second half, and reducing the deficit to a point, they could never draw level, with the Barrs always responding as they were led on by Conor O’Donoghue, who covered every blade of grass as well as finishing up with 0-7, six coming from frees.

Cork U20 hurler Jayden Casey was on song for Youghal. He can count himself unfortunate to be on the losing side with the forward finishing up with 0-11, three coming from play.

Youghal got off to a dream start after just 52 seconds when Noah Hegarty unleashed a powerful shot to the net. The sides then traded points in a lively opening before St Finbarr’s tacked on 1-4 without reply. The Barrs green flag coming after 12 minutes when Cian O’Sullivan flicked the ball to the net after a Seán Doolan delivery into the square. Conor McCarthy’s effort the pick of the Barrs points in that spell, 1-5 to 1-1.

Casey converted a free for Youghal before the Barrs, with Jimmy Barry-Murphy part of the management ticket, took firm control. McCarthy and Jordan Millard bisected the posts before they got their second goal after 18 minutes when the hard-working Doolan goaled after the excellent O’Donoghue assisted, 2-7 to 1-2.

Youghal finished the half well though with five unanswered points. Casey with four points, three frees, and a Brian Lynch effort. An O'Donoghue free gave St Finbarr’s a four-point buffer at the break, 2-8 to 1-7.

On the resumption, James Murray pushed St Finbarr’s lead out to five points, but in a rip-roaring second-half, Youghal hit over three points on the trot to leave just two points in it after 42 minutes. Lynch, Casey (free) and Eoin Kennedy with the efforts, 2-9 to 1-10. 

The sides swapped points before the ever reliable O’Donoghue tapped over a free for the eventual winners, but the momentum was with the team from Youghal, as a pair of Casey points, one coming from a free, left just a single point in it after the third quarter.

Youghal could never draw parity, as St Finbarr’s held strong with full-back Thomas Egan and centre-back James Murray outstanding for the Barrs. The Togher side hit four of the next five points to push four clear, 2-15 to 1-14 with five minutes remaining.

A monster of a free from Murray gave his side breathing space, but Youghal, who had former Cork hurler Bill Cooper as a selector, tacked on two frees from the aforementioned Casey as the enjoyable game went into added time.

Youghal threw everything at their opposition in search of a goal. It wasn’t to be for the Imokilly side. Lynch fired over to leave two points between the teams, but the green flag remained elusive for them. The Barrs held firm. 

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: C O’Donoghue 0-7 (0-6 f), S Doolan 1-1, J Murray (0-1 f), C McCarthy 0-3 each, C O’Sullivan 1-0, J Millard, E Malone 0-1 each.

Youghal: J Casey 0-11 (0-8 f), B Lynch 0-3, N Hegarty 1-0, O Walsh (f), F Coleman, E Kennedy 0-1 each.

ST FINBARR’S: J Cuddihy; E Hurley, T Egan, D Burke; D O’Kelly, J Murray, M Ahern; J Millard, C O'Donoghue; J Brady, C McCarthy, E Malone; S Doolan, R Barrett, C O’Sullivan.

Subs: No subs made.

Youghal: O Walsh; J Dineen, M Desmond, G Geary; S O’Brien, E Kennedy, R O’Brien; F Hill, F Coleman; B Lynch, J Casey, D Lyons; J Lenane, N Hegarty, L Durkin.

Subs: D Tressero for N Hegarty (h-t), P Nicholson for D Lyons (54).

Referee: Niall O’Neill (Midleton).