Relegation noose tightens on Barna men after play-off defeat to Breathnachs

MICHEAL BREATHNACH’S just about secured their senior status as they narrowly overcame Barna in Sunday’s relegation play-off semi final at Pearse Stadium. Peadar Ó Cionnaith was their hero, scoring all but one of their points.

Underdogs coming into this one, Barna pointed after just 23 seconds when Paddy Kennedy split the posts, before Breathnachs hit 1-2 without reply thanks to Ó Cionnaith frees and a well-taken goal from Eanna Ó Griallais when he was played in by Fiach Ó Bearra.

Barna then hit two points of their own thanks to Stephen Delaney and Caolan Malone, but Breathnachs countered once more as Ó Cionnaith added three more to his tally, two of which came from play.

Charlie Timon and Ó Cionnaith swapped scores before Barna had a marvellous finish to the half to come back within a point. DD Flaherty kicked two well-taken frees and a point from play while corner-back James Kennedy also got in on the act to make it 1-6 to 0-8 at half time.

Breathnachs had wind advantage in the second half and got off to the perfect start when Seosamh Ó Conaire found the bottom corner of the net eight minutes in to capitalise on poor Barna defending.

After Fiach Ó Bearra pointed to stretch their lead to 2-7 to 0-9, Barna struck a goal of their own when Paddy Kennedy ended a superb solo run to blast through Eoin Ó Coistealbha’s legs and narrow the gap to a point once more.

Ó Cionnaith and Flaherty swapped scores from frees as Ó Cionnaith scored the point of the game in stoppage time to cap a great move involving Sean Denvir and Colm Ó Cuiv.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.