Division 1 FL: David Lowney’s late goal earns Clon a point against St Finbarr's

St Finbarr’s: 1-12 (1-3-6) 

Clonakilty: 1-12 (1-2-8) 

A late David Lowney goal rescued Clonakilty as they drew with St Finbarr’s in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League at Togher on Thursday evening.

It had looked like youngster Trevor Howe had given the home side a much-needed win after two straight losses when he billowed the back of the net. But Clonakilty — who, not for the first time, showed character and resilience — went down the other end, where Lowney finished superbly to the net.

The Brewery Town are now two points clear of the chasing pack ahead of Sunday’s action, sitting on ten points after seven outings. Martin O’Brien’s side, who lost last year’s league final to the Barrs, were nine points adrift in the first half, albeit the wind had a major bearing on the encounter.

St Finbarr’s led by the bare minimum at the break and, given the difficult weather conditions, a draw was probably a fair result, even if the city team will be disappointed they didn’t reset properly in the dying embers.

For the Barrs, they move to seven points from seven games but are winless in four.

They had wind advantage in the first half and certainly made the most of it. They led 0-7 to 0-0 after six minutes, helped by three orange flags, all from play. Cillian Myers-Murray hit two of them, while Bill O’Connell added a two-pointer and a white flag. The home side tacked on two further points before Clonakilty finally got off the mark after 12 minutes courtesy of a Brian White free.

That was followed by a sweet Thomas Clancy 45, made more impressive given it was struck into a strong wind. A bit of composure steadied Clonakilty as they dominated the next period. They kicked the next six scores, including two two-pointers from Darragh Gough and Lowney, to lead 0-10 to 0-9 after 27 minutes. Cian O’Donovan was also on the scoresheet, his effort a standout.

The reigning McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC champions finished the half strongly, though, with points from O’Connell and Enda Dennehy to edge ahead 0-11 to 0-10 at half-time.

St Finbarr’s were now aided by the strong wind for the second half as the sides traded points in what was a slow restart that would go on. O’Connell pointed for the Barrs, while Seán McEvoy replied for Clonakilty.

With a quarter remaining, St Finbarr’s still led 0-12 to 0-11, with wayward shooting the theme for both sides. Another Clancy 45 levelled matters before another lull in scoring. Possession became everything as the weather worsened, heavy rainfall arriving in the final ten minutes.

There would be only two further scores, but the game still finished in a burst of excitement. With just three scores in the second half up to the 58th minute, the next score was always going to be crucial.

In the first real goal chance, St Finbarr’s took it when Howe finished brilliantly after a driving run. Brian Roche’s side looked to be in the driving seat, but a lapse in concentration proved costly as Clonakilty defender Lowney found space to drill his shot into the net approaching injury time.

Both sides pressed for a winner, but it never truly looked likely as they settled for a point apiece.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: B O’Connell 0-5 (1 2pt), C Myers-Murray 0-4 (2 2pt), T Howe 1-0, E Dennehy 0-2, M Ahern 0-1.

Clonakilty: D Lowney 1-2 (1 2pt), D Gough 0-4 (1 2pt, 0-1 f), T Clancy (0-2 45), S McEvoy 0-2 each, B White (0-1 f), C O’Donovan 0-1 each.

ST FINBARR’S: D Newman; S Ryan, A O’Connor, J Kennefick; M Ahern, C Doolan, E Dennehy; T Egan, T Howe; A Lyne, I O’Callaghan, B O’Connell; A Buckley, R Barrett, C Myers-Murray.

Subs: E Hurley for J Kennefick (34, inj), C O’Sullivan for A Buckley (40), J Brady for T Egan (61).

CLONAKILTY: J O’Brien; D Lowney, D Peet, N Barrett; J O’Mahony, T Clancy, C Kenneally; B White, C Ryan; D Kenneally, C O’Donovan, A Cullinane; S McEvoy, R Mannix, D Gough.

Subs: F Murphy for C O’Donovan (39), M Murphy for A Cullinane (44).

Referee: James Regan (Lough Rovers).