St Finbarr's keep anniversary dream alive with Clon victory: 'We're gathering a bit of momentum'

St Finbarr’s selector Ian Keeler admitted there was never any expectation of an easy evening against Clonakilty as the county champions booked their place in a second successive McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC final with a hard-earned 2-12 to 0-16 victory at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night.

The Togher side will now renew acquaintances with near neighbours Nemo Rangers in the decider after edging out a determined Clonakilty outfit who kept themselves firmly in contention throughout.

While pleased to get over the line, Keeler acknowledged that the game remained in the balance right until the closing stages.

“Look, it was a close game, a kick of the ball in it at the end,” he said.

“We knew it was going to be a right battle coming down. Clon had a great group campaign and a great game against Newcestown two weeks ago. We were under no illusions.

“The games against Clon last year, there was nothing in them, a kick of the ball. Tonight was no different.” 

The game ultimately swung on the two goals St Finbarr’s scored in the opening half. 

Thomas Egan's green flag just before the interval helped them to a five-point cushion at the break.

“It was crucial,” Keeler says. 

“After we got the first goal, we probably missed some opportunities to go further ahead. Then the goal Thomas got just before half-time probably put us in a good position for the second half.

“For the first ten minutes of the second half, Clon came out as you'd expect and got a few scores. 

“We weathered it and then came up and got a few scores ourselves. That was probably the way the second half went. We got a few ahead, they came back at us and we just had to defend the arc as best we could.

“They got three two-pointers but every time they got close enough, we were able to respond. Defensively I thought we were very good.” 

Keeler felt the defensive effort was the foundation of the victory, particularly as St Finbarr’s prevented Clonakilty from finding the net despite sustained pressure.

“When you're getting two goals and you don't concede any, it puts the other team under a lot of pressure,” he states.

“They kicked four points more than us, but when you don't concede goals and you're defending like we defend, it makes it tough on the opposition.

“Clon took a lot of shots but I thought our defence worked really well, both around the arc and man-to-man. The boys were outstanding. We pressured their kicking and didn't give up a huge amount. Not conceding a goal was massive in a game like this.” 

St Finbarr’s were also forced to cope with injury setbacks during the contest, losing key defenders Alan O’Connor and Dylan Quinn in the opening half.

With both players occupying pivotal positions in the spine of the defence, Keeler praised those who stepped in and helped the side maintain control.

“Obviously we lost Alan and Dylan in the first half, our full-back and centre-back,” he said.

“To be fair, they're two big guys to lose during a game.

“Conor Dennehy came on, Jamie Burns again was outstanding, and the lads really stood up.” 

There was some encouragement regarding the condition of both players, with Keeler hopeful neither issue would keep them sidelined for long.

“They're just contacts really,” he says. 

“In the nature of the game they were struggling a bit to run, but nothing major. At the time you just have to make the decision. With the speed the game is played at now, you can't really carry injuries. Hopefully they'll be fine.”

Attention now turns to a repeat of last year’s county final against Nemo Rangers, but Keeler pointed out that there is plenty happening across the club before then as St Finbarr’s continue to enjoy a memorable year celebrating their 150th anniversary.

The club’s hurlers have a major decider against Glen Rovers next Sunday. 

“It's a massive milestone year for the club.

“For Barrs people and Barrs supporters there’s going to be a lot of hype around. We’ll just do our best to keep ourselves together, keep ourselves on the pitch and focus on the football.

“We're gathering a bit of momentum at the moment and there are a big couple of weeks ahead.”