We travelled to Springfield on Sunday to take on St. Paul’s in the final group game of Junior Championship. A victory would seal top spot for Bun, while a victory for St. Paul’s would see them safe from a relegation play off.
With a lot at stake, there was a cagey opening to the game. St. Paul’s drew first blood with a score from play before Luke Kiernan and Ronan Scally combined for Scally to swing a point over with his right foot.
A black card after eight minutes for Bun, left St. Paul’s with a numerical advantage for the next ten minutes but crucially Bun played cleverly and defended brilliantly during this period. St. Paul’s edged ahead briefly before Aidan Finnan replied with a free.
With Bun back to 15 players they enjoyed a purple patch in the second quarter. Mark Donnelly, John Kiernan & Barry O Mara combined to set up Luke Kiernan for a great score. This was followed by a Barry O Mara free.
Aidan Finnan then set up his brother Fintan for a good score after fetching expertly from the opposition kick out. St. Paul’s replied with the next three points to level the game before an Aidan Finnan free from distance on the stroke of half time left Bun one to the good at the short whistle.
Bun started the second half brightly but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard. St. Paul’s kicked the levelling score 33 minutes. Ken Conroy and Enda Newman combined expertly to set up O Mara for the lead score, an excellent point on his wrong side!
The game was nip and tuck now and St. Paul’s drew level again after 40 minutes. Bun then began to assert their control on the game. First, Enda Newman set O Mara up for another point from play to put Bun ahead. Then he kicked a free after he was fouled. Brian Maguire made an instant impact when he kicked a crucial score after he won a breaking ball to put Bun three up.
Fellow substitute, Peter Tormey, made a similar impact when he combined with John Kiernan and O Mara to fist over. St. Paul’s to their credit never gave in. A point from play was exchanged with another O Mara free to leave four in it with five to play. The drama was only starting!!
First, St. Paul’s reduced the deficit to three points when they converted a free before a long ball into the Bun defence was gathered by a St. Paul’s forward who fired low to the net to bring the sides level again with 1 minute of the three minutes injury time gone.
Bun though weren’t done yet and they showed tremendous character to remain calm and shoot the decisive score. John Kiernan, Tormey and O Mara combined to set up Fintan Finnan to finish to the net with 1 minute remaining. Ken Gunnings final whistle ensured jubilation amongst the Bun supporters.
This was a battling display by Bun. The panel is building and more players getting game time. With several changes to the team from the last day owing to holidays and injury, the players who stood in performed brilliantly. Alan Maguire brought off some crucial saves and was an assured presence in goals while Conor Newman rolled back the years with a brilliant display at corner back.
There were strong performances throughout the team and the players and management will be pleased with the victory. They roll on to the Quarter Finals next weekend where they will face The Downs. Time and venue to be announced later.
Team: Alan Maguire, Simon Moorehead, Joe Tormey, Conor Newman, Ronan Scally, Andy Whitney, Luke Kiernan, Aidan Finnan, John Kiernan, Enda Newman, Ken Conroy, Mark Donnelly, Fintan Finnan, Barry O Mara & Finian Newman. Subs: Brian Maguire for Conor Newman (45 mins), Peter Tormey for Mark Donnelly (47 mins), Tommy Murphy, Eoin McGowan, Gavin Lyons, Cian Tighe, Darragh McCormack & Garvan Dolan.
