Result: 2-16 to 0-16
As Páirc Úí Mhurchú is out of action, this home match was played on a splendid pitch in Abbotstown, with a stand for the small number of travelling supporters. Na Fianna played with the wind in the first half and for most of that half it was the Conor McHugh show. The Dublin senior panellist was popping over points for fun with his left and right feet. In the first four minutes four points were shared by the teams with Collie Basquel and Stephen O’Connor scoring ours. Ryan Basquel scored next and then Na Fianna took over, popping over five points in the next 10 minutes without reply. Things could have been worse. On 10 minutes, Na Fianna broke through for a great goal chance but the ball hit one post, crossed the goal mouth, hit the other post and back out into the grateful hands of one of our backs to clear the danger.
For the next 10 minutes the teams kicked 8 points in turn starting with Ryan Basquel and then Collie Basquel with two and Conal Keaney to keep us in the game with half time approaching. A four point deficit would not have been bad after playing against the wind but then up pops Simon Lambert to score a 45 and a difficult free from the left to leave just two points in it: 0 – 9 to 0 – 11.
Within two minutes of the restart, the sides were level with points from Ryan Basquel and Aran Waters. Then Collie Basquel made a great run from 40 yards out, beating many players on the way, but his shot was blocked by the goalie and came straight back to him. This time Collie passed to Conal Keaney who finished to the net. NaFianna got two points back and Alan Flood had a great goal chance saved before Simon Lambert with two points from a free and a 45, and Conal Keaney from play, brought our lead to 4 points. Na Fianna did not give up and brought the lead back to two points again. The ever threatening Collie Basquel, after spurning an earlier chance, this time made no mistake and finished to the net. Robbie McDaid brought the lead to 6 points, Na Fianna got one back but Warren Egan finished the scoring well into injury time. The final score: 2 – 16 to 0 – 16.
TEAM: Darragh Gogan; Cathal Flaherty; Stephen Hiney; Shane Clayton; Stephen O’Connor; Simon Lambert; Shane Durkin; Donagh McCabe; Aran Waters; Darren O’Reilly; Collie Basquel; Robbie McDaid; Ryan Basquel; Conal Keaney; Sam Molony. Subs: Alan Flood and Barra McGarry for Sam Molony and Darren O’Reilly at half time; Warren Egan for Stephen O’Connor (50 minutes); Collie Dunne.