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The first team hurlers took on Thomas Davis from Tallaght in Ridgewood this morning at the championship semi-final stage. Having lost by a point after extra-time to Ballyboden Saint Enda's at the semi-final stage in 2023 in Ballyboden, there was a real hunger to get over the semi-final hurdle and with home advantage this time around, St. Finians were keen to make this count in front of a large contingent of home support.
Conditions were ideal for hurling with no wind factor at play. St. Finians received a boost with Conor Halpin passing a fitness test in the morning managing to shake off an injury that saw him depart the pitch injured in the quarter final. Thomas Davis started the better of the 2 teams putting over a long range free as St Finians struggled to settle into the match. Thomas Davis had 2 points on the board before St. Finians got their 1st score from a James Shelly point. This was a well worked score starting in the full back line where goalkeeper Domo Harris and full back David Hattie did well to deal with a dangerous ball at the back and work the ball up the field for a score from Shelly. Plenty of experience involved in that score!!
Dublin under 20 hurler Senan Crosbie then put over an excellent point from out near the sideline and St. Finians were beginning to hurl better at this stage but struggling to build a score owing to poor shooting.
When Conor Halpin was fouled to earn a penalty, it looked as if the lead may be taken, but the Thomas Davis keeper pulled off a great save. St. Finians never led in the 1st half and the 0-9 to 0-8 scoreline at half time in favour of Thomas Davis was a fair reflection of the contest.
The dynamic very much changed at the start of the 2nd half. 2 early points from Senan Crosbie one from play and another from a free pushed St. Finians into a lead which they never handed back to Thomas Davis but a goal was required to build a decent lead. Following great pressure by the Finians forwards, the Thomas Davis backs couldn't clear & somehow the ball finished up in the net to give St. FInians a 4 point lead.
Team captain Mattie Murray had to depart the fray injured shortly after which was a set back, however St. Finians had Vinny Foley to come in to fill the midfield berth and St. Finians continued to hold the initiative at midfield and had the benefit of Vinny's experience and fresh legs heading into the final quarter.
Early in the last quarter, Conor Halpin blasted to the net to put St. Finians into a 7 point lead and MJ Feehan added a point shortly after. James Burke and James Elder came off the bench as St Finians needed fresh legs to see out the encounter to a successful outcome.
Thomas Davis had a lot of play in the last 10 minutes and were seeking goals. The St. Finians full back line of Domo Harris (goals) , James Sullivan, David Hattie and Peter Wright held firm under a lot of pressure and no goal was conceded with the final scoreline reading St. Finians 2-16 Thomas Davis 0-14.
The final is expected to be in 2 weeks time against Raheny at a time and venue to be confirmed.
Best of luck to the squad and the management team of Ciaran Groves,John Walsh, Barry Shelly and Niall Delaney.
The first team hurlers took on Thomas Davis from Tallaght in Ridgewood this morning at the championship semi-final stage. Having lost by a point after extra-time to Ballyboden Saint Enda's at the semi-final stage in 2023 in Ballyboden, there was a real hunger to get over the semi-final hurdle and with home advantage this time around, St. Finians were keen to make this count in front of a large contingent of home support.
Conditions were ideal for hurling with no wind factor at play. St. Finians received a boost with Conor Halpin passing a fitness test in the morning managing to shake off an injury that saw him depart the pitch injured in the quarter final. Thomas Davis started the better of the 2 teams putting over a long range free as St Finians struggled to settle into the match. Thomas Davis had 2 points on the board before St. Finians got their 1st score from a James Shelly point. This was a well worked score starting in the full back line where goalkeeper Domo Harris and full back David Hattie did well to deal with a dangerous ball at the back and work the ball up the field for a score from Shelly. Plenty of experience involved in that score!!
Dublin under 20 hurler Senan Crosbie then put over an excellent point from out near the sideline and St. Finians were beginning to hurl better at this stage but struggling to build a score owing to poor shooting.
When Conor Halpin was fouled to earn a penalty, it looked as if the lead may be taken, but the Thomas Davis keeper pulled off a great save. St. Finians never led in the 1st half and the 0-9 to 0-8 scoreline at half time in favour of Thomas Davis was a fair reflection of the contest.
The dynamic very much changed at the start of the 2nd half. 2 early points from Senan Crosbie one from play and another from a free pushed St. Finians into a lead which they never handed back to Thomas Davis but a goal was required to build a decent lead. Following great pressure by the Finians forwards, the Thomas Davis backs couldn't clear & somehow the ball finished up in the net to give St. FInians a 4 point lead.
Team captain Mattie Murray had to depart the fray injured shortly after which was a set back, however St. Finians had Vinny Foley to come in to fill the midfield berth and St. Finians continued to hold the initiative at midfield and had the benefit of Vinny's experience and fresh legs heading into the final quarter.
Early in the last quarter, Conor Halpin blasted to the net to put St. Finians into a 7 point lead and MJ Feehan added a point shortly after. James Burke and James Elder came off the bench as St Finians needed fresh legs to see out the encounter to a successful outcome.
Thomas Davis had a lot of play in the last 10 minutes and were seeking goals. The St. Finians full back line of Domo Harris (goals) , James Sullivan, David Hattie and Peter Wright held firm under a lot of pressure and no goal was conceded with the final scoreline reading St. Finians 2-16 Thomas Davis 0-14.
The final is expected to be in 2 weeks time against Raheny at a time and venue to be confirmed.
Best of luck to the squad and the management team of Ciaran Groves,John Walsh, Barry Shelly and Niall Delaney.
