Na Fianna prove too hot to handle for O'Mahonys

SHC

Na Fianna.......................2-14

Navan O’Mahonys...........0-15

JIMMY GEOGHEGAN

The maor uisces employed by both these teams had important roles to play in helping to keep the players hydrated on a boiling evening at Athboy on Friday.

This was a significant SHC game for both teams, but especially O’Mahonys, as it marked their return to the senior ranks. However, they found Na Fianna about as easy to handle as a red hot poker.

Na Fianna were more efficient at moving the ball through the lines. Their passing was sharp, their stickwork slick, their ability to translate chances into scores impressive at times, particularly when it came to finding the net.

In short, they showed the kind of craft and experience they have picked up plying their trade in the senior ranks in recent years. O’Mahonys showed they have some distance to go yet in order to match their rivals at this level.

Na Fianna’s effectiveness was manifested in the way they scored two goals, with some neat passing creating openings for Patrick Jordan and Mark Slevin to finish to the net in the fifth and 24th minutes.

Seven Na Fianna players got on the scoresheet with Michael Heffernan, Ronan Byrne, Ethan Devine, Sean Martin, Peter Slevin joining Jordan and Mark Slevin all contributing.

Apart from very early on Na Fianna led the way with Jordan’s early strike a statement of intent. They had two significant performers in their engine room where Devine and Sean Coffey toiled away and it is significant that five of their six starting forwards all scored.

Na Fianna, who were in front 2-7 to 0-10 at the break, also spurned a number of good scoring opportunities.

One startling stat from O’Mahonys’ perspective was that only three of their number got on the scoresheet – and from that limited contingent Cormac Keyes and Shane McCarthy only managed one point apiece.

The rest of their scores were generated by Jack Walsh. Included in his repertoire of scores was a hat-trick of efforts from out near the left sideline that he arrowed between the posts from play. Add in a couple of monster points from frees and it’s easy to see how his efforts kept his team afloat.

The Navan side, who's primary aim is to consolidate this year, found it difficult to get much space in the watertight Na Fianna defence. Near the end Shane McCarthy looked like he might find the net but his close range shot was deflected over the bar.

That passage summed up O’Mahonys’ evening in the searing heat.

Na Fianna – Adam Farrell; Finn Witchlow, Stephen Slevin, Cian Doherty; Anthony Healy, Oisin Bright, Eoin Bright; Ethan Devine (0-1), Sean Coffey; Rory Fagan, Ronan Byrne (0-2), Sean Martin (0-1); Patrick Joran (1-0), Mark Slevin (1-5 three frees), Michael Heffernan (0-4). Subs – Peter Slevin (0-1) for Healy 48m, Luke Boggan for Jordan 56m, Shane Jordan for Martin 59m.

Navan O’Mahonys – John Foley; Michael Reavey, Ben McEntagart, Mark Usher; Eoghan Nugent, Jack Flynn, Evan Brady; Jack McConnell, Evan Cully; Jack Walsh (0-13 nine frees), Cormac Keyes (0-1), Dermot McKenna; Finn Malone, Shane McCarthy (0-1), Sean McDermott. Subs – Sean Davis for Cully 48m, Diarmuid O Bric for McKenna 50m, Colm O’Toole for Brady 55m, Rian Porter for Malone 58m.

Referee – Mark Reilly (Kilmessan).