Thrilling Local Derby Sees Naomh Fionnbarra-St Anne’s Shade Lannleire by Three Point

DKIT Sport Louth Junior Football Championship – Group 3, Round 1

Naomh Fionnbarra St Anne’s 1-12 Lannleire 0-12

The opening round of the DKIT Sport Louth Junior Football Championship produced one of the ties of the weekend, as neighbours Naomh Fionnbarra St Anne’s and Lannleire served up a thrilling encounter in Group 3. Played in front of a large Monday night crowd, the game had all the ingredients of a classic: local pride, momentum swings, high skill levels, and drama from the very first whistle to the last.

Just a few weeks ago these sides had clashed in the league, with the Togher men cruising to a comfortable victory. Yet, Championship football has a way of rewriting the script, and under the stewardship of their newly-appointed manager, former county captain Nicky Malone, Lannleire were a transformed outfit. Determined, organised, and fiercely competitive, the Dunleer side brought an intensity that forced Naomh Fionnbarra to dig deep for every score.

Explosive start

The match burst into life in the third minute when Stephen O’Reilly collected possession from deep and surged forward on a lung-bursting run. Breaking past two defenders, he unleashed a thunderbolt that rattled the back of the net — a score that set the tone for the Barrs’ attacking intent.

To their credit, Lannleire responded immediately. Star forward Colin Murphy, who carried much of their scoring burden, showed nerves of steel when he converted a two-point free after being fouled himself. His accuracy from placed balls would prove a constant threat. Darragh Malone followed up with a fine point from play to cut the margin, and already the game had developed into the end-to-end battle the crowd had hoped for.

Naomh Fionnbarra steadied themselves through Ciaran Murphy, who curled over a classy point off his right boot, while Matthew O’Reilly converted a two-point free after patient build-up play. At the other end, Lannleire’s attacking line kept the Barrs honest, with Brendan Cassidy landing one of the scores of the half — a brilliant long-range effort that had the supporters applauding.

By half-time, the scoreboard read 1-7 to 0-9 in favour of Naomh Fionnbarra St Anne’s, but there was nothing between the sides in terms of energy or effort.

Second half drama

The second half began with a moment that could have completely changed the course of the game. Just three minutes in, Darragh Malone was fouled inside the square, and referee Stephen Murphy pointed to the spot. Up stepped Colin Murphy with the chance to swing momentum firmly Lannleire’s way. But in what proved to be the defining act of the night, Barrs goalkeeper Fionn McQuillan dived brilliantly to his right to save the penalty, keeping his side in front and sending the Togher crowd into raptures.

That stop proved a turning point. Although Murphy quickly responded with three points (two frees and a superb effort from play) to drag Lannleire level, Naomh Fionnbarra showed the steel of potential contenders. The introduction of William Woods added fresh impetus, and it was the substitute who struck the game’s killer blow: a monster two-point free from distance in the 51st minute that reignited the Barrs.

With Lannleire tiring, further points from Conor Osborne, Jack Butterly, and Woods again gave Naomh Fionnbarra the cushion they needed. While the Dunleer side pressed hard in the final moments, the missed penalty loomed large, and ultimately they fell just short.

A statement win

At the final whistle, Naomh Fionnbarra St Anne’s had done just enough to claim a three-point victory. It may not have been their most fluent display, but the combination of experience and impact from the bench underlined why many see them as genuine Christy Bellew Cup contenders this year.

For Lannleire, although defeat was bitterly disappointing, there were clear signs of progress. With Colin Murphy in inspired form, Darragh Malone industrious, and Brendan Cassidy a constant outlet, they showed enough to suggest they can still make serious noise in Group 3 under Nicky Malone’s guidance.

Scorers

Naomh Fionnbarra St Anne’s: S. O’Reilly (1-0), W. Woods (0-3, 1f, 1 ’45’), C. Murphy (0-3, 2f), J. Butterly (0-2), M. O’Reilly (0-2, 1f), C. Osborne (0-1), C. Markey (0-1).
Lannleire: C. Murphy (0-6, 4f, 1 ’45’), D. Malone (0-3, 2f), B. Cassidy (0-2), K. Gregory (0-1).

Teams

Naomh Fionnbarra St Anne’s: Fionn McQuillan; Martin Murphy, Ronan Callaghan, Josh Crosbie; Chris McGlynn, Colin McGrane, Jack Regan; Kieran Lenehan, Matthew O’Reilly; Jack Butterly, Stephen O’Reilly, Conor Osborne; Ciaran Murphy, Jack Murtagh, Ciaran Markey.
Subs: Adam Hanratty for C. McGlynn, Seán Boyle for R. Callaghan, Pádraig Butterly for M. O’Reilly, Andy McCann for J. Murtagh, William Woods for C. Markey.

Lannleire: Conor Dunne; Jason Torris, Paul McGeough, Laurence McEntee; Alex Carroll, Darragh Goodman, Caoimhín Maher; Kyle Van Rhijn, Pierce Hawkins; Killian Gregory, Colin Murphy, Darragh Malone; Ian Mulroy, Brendan Cassidy, Mark Grogan.
Subs: Caimín Kirwan for L. McEntee, Luke Dunne Boylan for D. Goodman.

Referee: Stephen Murphy (Naomh Mairtín).

⭐ Man of the Match: Fionn McQuillan (Naomh Fionnbarra St Anne’s)

While William Woods and Colin Murphy both made strong claims, it was goalkeeper McQuillan who produced the defining moment of the game. His superb penalty save early in the second half preserved his side’s advantage and swung the momentum firmly back in the Barrs’ favour. Beyond that, his handling, kick-outs, and calmness under pressure were exemplary throughout.