Barna GAA Notes Dec 2nd 04
Barna Promoted to Senior A
There was a lot of smiling faces around Barna /Furbo last Sunday afternoon ,
when a determined Barna Team held out to take the points from a Monivea
outfit who came out the coast road to Furbo, to hopefully take the win and
ease their relegation trouble.
Its strange really how this Senior league works, because if Barna had lost
to Monivea and were beaten next Sunday by Moycullen, then bye bye to
promotion and hello to possibly relegation playoffs.
Barna played this game at the winter conditioned pitch of Furbo, which is
inside the Barna GAA Football Club parish catchment area and home to Na
Forbacha ( Barna/ Furbo Hurling Club ).
The final Score here was Barna 1-9 to Monivea 1-8 and yes it did come down
to the wire, with the home side holding out after leading by six points with
ten minutes remaining. Barna never trailed in this game played in ideal
conditions, in front of a large gathering of home and away fans.
Just before the ball was thrown in, Barna were ordered into the dressing
room by referee Vinnie Judge when he and others were having problems with
the Orange of Barna and the Red/Blue of Monivea. But out came Barna wearing
the familiar Blue and yellow Hurling jersey of the home parish. Barna had a
lead of three points before Monivea scored after twenty minutes.
The score at half time was Barna 0-5 to Monivea 0-3.Monivea did obtain a
penalty, but the ball blasted of the crossbar into the hands of Marty
Mannion the Barna Goalkeeper. One of the interesting match ups in the game
was Tomas Mannion at Centrehalf Back marking Eoin McDonagh, who has recently
been moved to a forward role.
Barna scores came from DD Flaherty (0-4, two frees ) and Peadair Friel (0-1,
play )
Barna came out strong again in the second half scoring three points and
again it took Monivea twelve minuties to score . Monivea scored again after
fifteen minutes , but then Barna had their goal from Sean Conlon, followed
by another point from play . Monivea did bounce back to score 1-2 in the
remaining eight minutes, but it came to late and ,Barna just held out for
the victory. The other Barna Scores in the second half came from Peadair
Friel (0-2), Davy Carr (0-1 ) and another point from the boot of Sean
Conlon.
Barna as a Team , were pleasant to watch, but I have to say that Marty
Mannion in Goal and the Complete Full back line of Matty Gannon. John
O’Toole and Enda Conneely, were in fine form. Big John Clifford , who has
come up from the Junior A Team and has taken over Centre half back , had a
fine game. In this role he now allowing Manager Mairtin McDermott to move
Eoin McDonagh to the forwards. However in saying this Eoin, was again taken
off injured with a Hamstring, that may rule him out for the Moycullen game.
Paddy Duffy and Davy Carr, had the better at Centre field. Up front all the
Forwards had their moments of good play and I should not single out one to
highlight.
Monivea did spring to life when a young forward , whose name escapes me, was
introduced wit ten minutes remaining and he generated a new step to
Monivea’s forwards. Had this player been introduced at half time, Monivea ,
may now be a happier camp, with the Moycullen decision going against them.
The Team was as follows, Marty Mannion, Mattie Gannon, John O’Toole, Enda
Conneely, Ronan Rogers, John Clifford, John Gannan, Paddy Duffy, Day Carr,
Donal Feeney, Eoin McDonagh, Fiagra Geraghty, Peadar Friel, Sean Conlon, and
DD Flaherty .Subs were Mattie Lawless for McDonagh and Adrian O’Neill for
Ronan Rogers.
So yes when both sets of Teams retired to the warm comforts of the Twelve
Pins Hotel for the after game food, it was surprises allround in some
respects , when other results poured in and, Barna were placed all alone in
second place and technically promoted.
However the final game against Moycullen, our neighbours from over the hill
as we say in Barna, has the makings of a real cracker, with both Barna and
Moycullen needing a win to qualify for the Division Final against Glenamaddy
. Its all to play for no doubt, which should draw a big crowd to the
Moycullen venue, whenever its played.
The Barna Lotto was not won last Sunday when Numbers 4,17,18 and 21 were
drawn.
There were however three Match Three winners. The Jackpot now goes to 4,959
euro and the draw for the first time will take place at the Barna owned Pub
on prospect Hill, namely Empty Pockets,
Slan agus tog go bog e