U21 county champions Douglas outclass St Finbarr's to move into Seandún final

Douglas 2-12 (2-2-8) St Finbarr’s 0-5 (0-2-1) 

Douglas eased into the Seandún Pharmacare U21 A Football final with a comfortable victory over St Finbarr’s at home.

The county champions were superb, led by Sean Coakley, who hit seven points and goals in the dying minutes by Padraig McGrath and Colm MacPhaidin capped off a dominant display. Barrs, missing some key men, only had one scorer, as Cian Sullivan kicked five points, including two orange flags.

Douglas led 0-7 to 0-3 at the break. Coakley registered a pair of two-pointers and one from play. James Burke and Joe Mouret also split the posts for the hosts.

With the rain falling, they started the second half with a Harry Quilligan point, while Coakley got their next two, as their lead grew to 0-10 to 0-3 in the 40th minute.

Douglas then started creating goal-scoring opportunities, with Tom Egan denying the first.

Jack Brady attempted a two-pointer in response, but his effort fell shot and Douglas countered. Louis Dwan Fogarty kick-passed into the square but Trevor Howe dived onto it to stop the goal chance.

McGrath then kicked over two quick points to extend Douglas’ advantage to 0-12 to 0-3 in the 47th minute.

The former Cork minor, who came on at half-time, proved to be a menace almost every time he touched the ball. His reward was a goal from the edge of the square that flew in as the clock turned red.

Douglas continued to get forward despite the healthy cushion. Colm MacPhaidin goaled to increased their advantage, from a similar position to McGrath, in the first minute of time added on.

A two-pointer from Sullivan ended the game, with the full-time whistle confirming Douglas’ place in the Seandún final.

Scorers for Douglas: S Coakley 0-7 (1 2pt, 1 2pt f, 0-1 f), P McGrath 1-2, C Mac Phaidin 1-0, J Burke, J Mouret, H Quilligan 0-1 each.

St Finbarr’s: C Sullivan 0-5 (1 2pt, 1 2pt f).

DOUGLAS: J O’Flaherty; O Barry, J O’Callaghan Maher, J Mouret; C Mac Phaidin, J Burke, L Dwan Fogarty; D Reddington, D Mac Phaidin; D Linehan, S Coakley, J O’Brien; H Quilligan, C O’Keeffe, J O’Brien.

Subs: P McGrath for O’Brien (HT), R Dooley for Linehan (HT), E O’Flynn for Quilligan (47), L Kelleher for D Mac Phaidin (56), M O’Brien for O’Keeffe (56).

ST FINBARR'S: J Looney; S Flemming Byrne, E Hurley, E Naughton; T Howe, D O’Kelly, A Philips; T Egan, T O’Keeffe; J Brady, C Buckley, F Power; C Galvin, B Egan, C Sullivan.

Subs: K Murphy for T Egan (40), Z Walsh for Brady (40), S Doolan for Power (45), A Kennedy for Galvin (50).

Referee: Brian McSweeney (Erin’s Own)