Na Fianna in Keegan Cup decider
Na Fianna proved too strong for Wolfe Tones in the Meath SFC Keegan Cup semi-final played under lights in Pairc Tailteann, Navan on Friday night where last year's intermediate champions won by 2-19 to 1-12.
There was very little between the teams in the opening half with Tones looking very threatening, especially in the forwards as the Ward brothers were proving a real handful.
Conor Downey opened Na Fianna’s account with Jamie Queeney, Daniel Queeney and Dalton McDonagh also on target. However, Tones were ahead by 0-5 to 0-4 near the end of the opening half, but when Shane Barrett bagged a trademark goal for Na Fianna along with points from Daniel Queeney and Barrett it helped the Enfield - Baconstown men to a 1-8 to 0-8 half time lead.
Na Fianna started impressively after the resumption with Dalton McDonagh in great form helping himself to two points.
Dean Henrick surged forward to point also, but when Eoghan Harrington netted after 40 minutes, Wolfe Tones were adrift by 1-9 to 1-11 and it looked like Tones were going to claw their way level.
Na Fianna had other ideas though, with Brian Queeney pointing from the next attack and then McDonagh collected a ball and laid it into the path of Daniel Queeney who finished impressively to the net giving Na Fianna confidence to finish strongly.
Daniel Queeney added further points from play as did Henrick and Damien Downey as Na Fianna progressed to a meeting with Rathkenny or Summerhill in three weeks time.
Best for Na Fianna in an excellent team performance were John Baldwin, Dean Henrick, Tommy Cosgrave, Ollie Lewis, Conor Downey, Daniel Queeney, Dalton McDonagh and Shane Barrett.
Na Fianna - Shane Geraghty; Diarmuid Bailey, Christy Cosgrave, John Baldwin; Michael Farley, Michael Foley, Dean Henrick (0-2); Ollie Lewis, Jamie Queeney (0-2); Daniel Queeney (1-6, 0-2 fs), Dean Barrett, Conor Downey (0-1); Shane Barrett (1-3), Tommy Cosgrove, Dalton McDonagh (0-3). Subs - Brian Queeney (0-1) for D Barrett (10), Michael Collins for McDonagh, Sean Griffin for Farley, David Lyons for Henrick, Damien Downey (0-1) for S Barrett (all 60).
Wolfe Tones - David Nolan; Niall O'Reilly (0-5), Ciaran McLoughlin, Richard Brady; Shane Glynn (0-1), Eoghan Harrington (1-0), Niall McLoughlin; Stephen Corrigan, Alan Callaghan; Mark Coleman, Stephen Sheppard, Paddy Caffrey; Alan Fox (0-3 1f), Fiachra Ward, Cian Ward (0-3, 1f). Subs - David Coleman for N McLoughlin (7), Aodhan McKeown for Brady (48), Darren McGrath for M Coleman (54), David O'Neill for Caffrey (57).
Referee - David Gough (Slane).
Report submitted by Brian Queeney of Na Fianna.
Conall Collier