Report by James Reilly.
The Loughcrew Gaels/Gaeil Colmcille combination got their 2022 Under 21 A campaign off to a winning start at Baconstown on Sunday morning with a deserved win over a gallant Na Fianna outfit in treacherous underfoot conditions. The combination side started well and despite losing full back Matthew Farrelly to injury in the 3rd minute were 1.4 to no score up after 10 minutes with Tom Shine notching 1.3 and brother Daire getting the opening point. Na Fianna opened their account with a point in the 12th minute but Oisin McDermott replied immediately with a fine long-range effort. Na Fianna converted 2 placed balls in the 24th and 25th minutes to narrow the deficit but Tom Shine with both a point from a free and then a well taken goal put the visitors 2.6 to 0.3 ahead at the interval.
While the weather improved the underfoot conditions deteriorated significantly for the second half and scores were hard earned. Daire Shine as he had done in the first half pointed in the opening minute. Na Fianna pointed from a free in the 9th minute and following the dismissal of Oisin McDermott for the visitors on a second booking they pointed another free in the 16th minute. The Shine brothers then got the next 3 points with Daire (2 – 1 Free) and Tom pointing from a free to put the visitors 11 ahead with 7 minutes remaining. Na Fianna made great efforts at that stage to get goals but were thwarted by heroic defending from Tommy McKeon who made 2 fine saves and Kit Og Lynch with a goal line clearance to ensure a clean sheet. The sides exchanged points in the final 5 minutes before the end but it was the Gaels combination that emerged victorious.
This was a fine team performance by the winners and everyone involved contributed to the win with their hard work, never say die attitude and determination in the terrible conditions.
Loughcrew Gaels/Gaeil Colmcille: T McKeon, L Finnegan, M Farrelly, H Corcoran, C Rennicks, D Shine (0.4), S. Tunney, O McDermott (0.1), C O’Reilly, K Og Lynch, T Shine (2.6), C Murphy, E Briody, J Casserly, C McGovern.
Subs: T Dardis for Farrelly, O O’Reilly for Murphy, R Earley for Finnegan, S Thornton for McGovern.
Referee: Gus Martyn (Dunderry)
