The Barna senior football team’s dream of reaching a first county final unraveled at Moycullen on Sunday as St Michael’s won the semi-final replay by two points.
Barna, who were out of sorts for large chunks of the game, put in a fine effort in the fourth quarter but the comeback fell just short as St Michael’s held on for a 0-9 to 0-7 hard-fought victory.
The city club now faces Corofin in the final on Sunday and Barna GAA Club wishes them the best of luck as they attempt to win the Frank Fox Cup in their first ever county final appearance.
At half-time of a poor-quality game, St Michael’s led by four points to three, with Jason Lyons (two frees) and Paddy Kennedy doing the scoring for Barna.
St Michael’s then took over and raced into a 0-4 to 0-9, five-points lead that looked to be unassailable.
But, true to Barna’s fighting spirit that was shown all season, Pat Fallon’s men fought back, and nudged their way back into the game.
A point from play from distance from Ray Conneely, and three frees from Jason Lyons, meant that there was just two points between the teams entering the final stretch.
Roared on by the massive support from the parish that travelled it to the game, Barna tried hard to grab a late goal that would have won it but St Michael’s defence stood firm.
Best for Barna on a bitterly disappointing day, in what was the club’s second ever appearance in a county semi-final, were goalkeeper James Keane, John O’Toole, Donal Feeney, Ray Conneely and substitute Charlie Timon.