Douglas crowned AOS Seandún Junior B Football Champions with victory over St Finbarr's

Douglas 3-6 (3-1-4)

St Finbarr’s 1-6 (1-0-6).

Douglas were crowned AOS Security Seandún Junior B Football Champions for the fourth time in six years, as they defeated St. Finbarr’s in the decider, before a good-sized attendance at Riverstick.

Douglas will meet Muskerry representatives Blarney in the McCarthy Insurance Group County Junior B Football Championship.

In a game, which produced a low-scoring opening half, wayward shooting was proving to be costly for the Togher side, who were playing with wind advantage. 

With the elements in their favour for the second half, Douglas got the game’s only two-pointer and their two late goals ended the game as a contest.

Douglas had St Finbarr’s pinned back from the start and they opened the scoring within two minutes of the throw-in, as Ray Keating converted a free.

The Togher side began to seize the initiative and they opened their account with a point from play by Ryan Bennett in the tenth minute. 

The wind was playing havoc with Douglas’ kick-outs and Bennett put the Togher side ahead for the only time in the contest with his second point.

This lead did not last long as Andrew O’Brien set up Kevin Murphy for a goal for Douglas in the 12th minute. 

This gave Douglas a lead of 1-1 to 0-2.

Entering the second quarter, St. Finbarr’s moved within a point of Douglas, courtesy of a point by Luke O’Shea. 

The Togher side continued to have Douglas on the back foot, but they were unable to convert this advantage into scores, due to spectacular saves by Douglas net-minder James O’Flaherty and solid defensive work by Shane O’Rourke. 

St Finbarr’s also had two shots that were narrowly off target from outside the Douglas 40-metre arc.

Shortly before the interval, Jimmy Harte tagged on a point from play for Douglas. 

This left the half-time scoreline reading 1-2 to 0-3 in Douglas’ favour.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Murphy and Keating exchanged points with Bennett and Faolán Linnane, to leave the Douglas leading by 1-4 to 0-5. 

Douglas stretched the margin to four points as Keating landed a two-pointer in the 42nd minute.

In the final quarter, Robert O’Mahony set up Aidan O’Shea for St. Finbarr’s goal in the 49th minute, which moved them within as point of Douglas.

Douglas replied instantly as Keating got their second goal, which left four points between the sides.

Robert O’Mahony tagged on the only point of this period for the Togher side, to reduce the deficit to three points.

Michael Nason added a third goal for Douglas, with four minutes remaining, before the final whistle was greeted with jubilant scenes by the Douglas supporters.

Scorers for Douglas: R Keating 1-4 (1 2pt, 0-1f); K Murphy 1-1; M Nason 1-0; J Harte 0-1.

St Finbarr’s: A O’Shea 1-0; R Bennett 0-3; L O’Shea, F Linnane, R O’Mahony 0-1 each.

Douglas: J O’Flaherty; C O’Donoghue, D Sweeney, S O’Rourke; M Lyons, P Tobin, E Corby; B O’Neill, R Keating; A O’Brien, K Murphy, B O’Keeffe; J Harte, S Tobin, R Sweeney.

Subs: Michael Nason for O’Brien (51), C Gowen for Keating (60+).

St Finbarr’s: J Burns; M Ryan, S McCarthy, Corey Buckley; Matthew Nason, F Linnane, L O’Shea; B Mannion, C Jordan; Cian Buckely, E Finn, J Gould; A O’Shea, JJ O’Connor, R Bennett.

Subs: R O’Mahony for JJ O’Connor, F O’Connor for Bennett (both 44), R Fitzpatrick for Cian Buckley (49), J Ryan for McCarthy (53, inj).

Referee: Damian Taffe (Passage).