Glenfin start strong to defeat St Naul's to advance to U21-B semi-final

A good start from Glenfin paved their way into the semi-final of the Under-21 B Championship as they defeated St Naul’s by eight points in Páirc Taoibhoige on Saturday.

Frank McGlynn’s side went seven ahead inside five minutes with the help of a Daniel Marley goal and free, and a two pointer from Shaun Ward, as St Naul’s only registered three points in the first half from Christian Ward, Declan Duignan and Kevin Rose.

Marley and Ward added scores in the first half, along with four other scorers, to deservedly lead 1-9 to 0-3 at the break.

But St Naul’s had goal chances after the restart, with Conor Campbell having an effort saved before he blasted one into the net, while Patrick Craig, Jamie Ward and Oisin Mogan went close to raising the green flag.

But the aforementioned pair for Glenfin, along with Luke McGlynn, kept them ticking over as they held off any shaky endings.

When the pair met in the group phase, Glenfin won by 4-15 to 0-10, but it wouldn’t be as one sided this time, although Callum Long’s early point, followed by a Marley strike that found the bottom corner, made it look like it could be the same story.

Marley then kicked a free, and Shaun Ward hit a two pointer from play, all inside five minutes.

St Naul’s got going with points through Christian Ward and Duignan, but Shaun Ward and Tommy McNulty responded for the hosts as Seaghan McCormick had a shot at goal saved.

Oisin McGlynn and a Luke McGlynn free made it a nine point game, and Rose and Marley tarded points just before the half-time whistle sounded.

St Naul’s were much more threatening after the restart, Matthew McInern finding Campbell, who forced a good save from Jake Griffin inside 20 seconds, while Duignan kicked a two point free.

READ NEXT: Termon and Naomh Conaill battle for U21 final spot

That was cancelled out by Luke McGlynn and Jamie O’Donnell, but when Oisin Mogan found Campbell, this time he made no mistake with a thunderous laces effort that found the far corner.

Patrick Craig almost added another after Duignan’s ‘45 dropped short, but Marley finished off a good move at the other end.

Campbell and Shaun Ward (45) swapped points, and substitute Jamie Ward had the next goal chance for the Mountcharles side down the right, but it hit the side netting.

Mogan then got in similarly down the right, but Shaun Ward made a brilliant block to deny him.

And when Barry Burke made it a six point game with five to play, there still looked to be hope for the visitors, but Luke McGlynn and Marley added points soon after as Glenfin saw out the game in a controlled manner.

Glenfin scorers: Daniel Marley 1-4,1f; Shaun Ward 0-4,1tp,1’45; Luke McGlynn 0-3,1f; Callum Long, Tommy McNulty, Oisin McGlynn and Jamie O’Donnell 0-1 each.

St Naul’s scorers: Conor Campbell 1-1; Declan Duignan 0-3,1tpf; Christian Ward, Kevin Rose and Barry Burke 0-1 each.

Glenfin: Jake Griffin; Ross Bradley, Darragh Carroll, Jake Doherty; Oisin McGlynn, Jack Long, Callum Long; Daniel Marley, Shaun Ward; Tommy McNulty, Luke McGlynn, Seaghan McCormick; Odhran O’Connor, Jamie O’Donnell, Harry McGlynn.

Subs: Gavin McCormick for H McGlynn (39), Eoghan McNulty for S McCormick (55).

St Naul’s: Peter Shallow; David McGettigan, Barry Burke, Darragh Burke; Conor Campbell, Niall Prendiville, Christian Ward; Oisin Mogan, Kian McCabe; Matthew McInern, Declan Duignan, Kevin Rose; Odhran Breslin, Patrick Craig, Darragh Reilly.

Subs: Jonathan O’Driscoll for Reilly (ht), Jamie Ward for Breslin (44), Dara Cunnea for McInern (56).

Referee: Cathal Gallagher (Glenswilly)