Late Finnan goal gives Bunbrosna dramatic victory over St Paul's

Bunbrosna 1-12, St Paul's 1-9

In Springfield on Sunday afternoon, Bunbrosna secured their spot in the playoffs while simultaneously ending St Paul's participation in this year’s Junior Championship. However, St Paul's gave it their all.

Trailing by four points with just two minutes to go, they staged a dramatic rally. With Bunbrosna being reduced to 14 men following the sending off of Brian Maguire, St Paul's drew level with a fantastic goal from Emmett Cunneen in the first minute of added time. Just as they were celebrating, Fintan Finnan struck at the other end, flicking the ball into the net to secure a dramatic win and inflict a heartbreaking defeat on the St Paul's men.

The thrilling final 90 seconds made up for a lacklustre game that had seemed to be drifting towards a dull conclusion. Despite its unremarkable footballing quality, the game offered incredible late entertainment and showed immense commitment from both sides.

The first quarter was a tough watch, with defences dominating and both teams employing blanket defensive strategies. Conor Shaw opened the scoring for St Paul's, with Ronan Scally equalising for Bunbrosna. Bun’s goalkeeper Alan Maguire made a crucial save to deny Emmett Cunneen an early goal for St Paul's. Tom Flynn and Aidan Finnan exchanged frees before Bunbrosna took control with three unanswered points: Luke Kiernan from a narrow angle, Fintan Finnan following a superb pass from his brother Aidan, and a free from Barry O’Mara. St Paul's responded with a Kenny Higgins point from near the sideline, Cunneen after a brilliant team move, and a Flynn free.

Aidan Finnan restored Bunbrosna's lead with a well-taken free just before half-time, leaving them ahead by 0-6 to 0-5.

The second half started slowly, with Barry O’Mara kicking a superb score for Bunbrosna. St Paul's equalised 10 minutes in through Paddy Reilly, who scored a marvellous individual point, and Conor Rice added another after a quick short free.

Bunbrosna then increased their lead with two excellent strikes from O’Mara and points from substitutes Brian Maguire and Peter Tormey, taking a four-point advantage into the final five minutes. Maguire’s subsequent red card for an off-the-ball incident seemed to energise St Paul's, with Flynn pointing a long-range free. When O’Mara responded with a placed ball, the result appeared secure.

However, in a chaotic two minutes, Jack Clancy pointed for St Paul's, and Cunneen scored an equaliser following an incredible pass from Conor Shaw. Barely had the score been recorded when Aidan Finnan intercepted the kick-out, fed O’Mara, whose cross was fumbled, allowing Fintan Finnan to tap into an open net for Bunbrosna's win and St Paul's devastating defeat as the final whistle blew from the kick-out.

Scorers - Bunbrosna: Barry O’Mara 0-5 (2 frees), Fintan Finnan 1-1, Aidan Finnan 0-2 (all frees), Ronan Scally, Brian Maguire, Peter Tormey, and Luke Kiernan 0-1 each.

St Paul's: Emmett Cunneen 1-1, Tom Flynn 0-3 (all frees), Kenny Higgins, Paddy Reilly, Conor Shaw, Conor Rice, and Jack Clancy 0-1 each.

Bunbrosna: Alan Maguire, Simon Moorhead, Joe Tormey, Conor Newman, Ronan Scally, Andrew Whitney, Luke Kiernan, Aidan Finnan, John Kiernan, Enda Newman, Kenny Conroy, Mark Donnelly, Fintan Finnan, Barry O’Mara, Finian Newman. Subs: Brian Maguire for Conor Newman (46 mins), Peter Tormey for Donnelly (47 mins).

St Paul's: Anthony Mulvaney, Oisin Kiernan, Conor Buckley, Kenny Higgins, Paddy Reilly, Conor Shaw, Tiernan Purcell, Robert Dugdale, Tom Flynn, Jack Clancy, Phillip Gilsenan, Jamie Fitzsimons, Conor Rice, Niall Leonard, Emmett Cunneen.

Referee: Ken Gunning (St Mary's, Rochfortbridge).