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found himself in the unusual position of trying to plot the downfall of his native club on county final day. “We did harbour ambitions of getting out of the group and after that it was bonus territory. “Na Fianna are a team with players who are very good with ball in hand. They have scoring forwards. That was demonstrated in the amount of goals they got in the championship, though we could have done with one or two of them in the final when we had chances to score more goals. “I think Summerhill were the best team on the day but we had a real chance to win the final. We did well to come back from six points behind. We reeled off six points in succession but, crucially, we missed three or four chances when the momentum had swung back in our favour. “I suppose Summerhill’s experience was a factor but when they conceded those six points in a row they weren’t able to bring their experience to bear. If Sean Martin was outstanding in the Feile decider at Pairc Tailteann
Na Fianna had scored from one of those missed chances I think we would have won. The players feel they didn’t play as well as they can in the final but perhaps they played as well as they were allowed.” Na Fianna were back at Pairc Tailteann a week later for the A League Division 2 final against Gaeil Colmcille and this time they headed home with the silverware after a 2-12 to 2-4 victory. They dominated the first half when aided by the wind and points from Dan Queeney (three), Ollie Lewis and Shane Barrett (two each), Downey and McDonagh gave them a 0-9 to 0-1 interval lead. Geraghty had denied Brian Hanlon a goal in the 15th minute, while a two goal salvo early in the second period put the issue beyond doubt. Downey and McDonagh found the net and with a 210 to 0-2 advantage the title was secured. Danny McGovern and Hanlon replied with goals for the Kells side but they were too far behind. Kean Flynn
“It was nice to bounce back with a win in the league final,” John Lyons added. “Na Fianna have had an outrageous run over the last two years. They have been so consistent. They were probably too strong for Division 3 last year and were able to step up and win Division 2 this year. “Looking ahead, I really believe they can win a Senior Championship. Of course I do. But after their run this year the surprise element is gone. Belief is the key. The lads want to play for each other. They have good young players coming along which means they can freshen things up.” The Na Fianna teams in those finals were: SFC – S Geraghty; D Bailey, C Cosgrave, J Baldwin; M Farley, M Foley (0-1), D Hendrick (0-2); O Lewis, J Queeney; B Queeney, D Queeney (02), C Downey (0-1); S Barrett (0-3), T Cosgrave, D McDonagh (1-0). Subs – D Barrett (0-1) for B Queeney, H Silke for Downey, M Collins for Farley.
Sean Raftery clears
Oran Smullen is determined
Brian Queeney moves into block Dunboyne's David Gallagher The celebrations begin with the Gaughan Cup (Division 2 FL) at Pairc Tailteann
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