Division 1 FL final: Steven Sherlock's 18-point haul inspires Barrs to extra-time win over Clonakilty

St Finbarr’s 1-20 Clonakilty 2-15 After ET

Yet another Steven Sherlock masterclass and a remarkable last-ditch goal from John Wigginton Barrett ensured St Finbarr’s came away as McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League champions after a dramatic extra-time battle with Clonakilty at Ballygarvan on Friday evening.

An incredible third quarter from Sherlock – in which he scored eight of his 0-18 tally – helped the Barrs come back from a six-point deficit to go in front with five minutes to go.

It looked as though they would win it, but a free at the death from Darragh Gough levelled this contest for the fifth time in the sixth minute of additional time.

Extra-time to come.

Ben Ridgeway pushed Clon in front. Sherlock replied from a free in the 70th minute, then got another from play in added time.

Clon’s work rate didn’t waver after the 70-minute mark, though. The first white flag was converted by Dara Ó Sé. Next up was Gough again. Level for a seventh time.

Adam Lyne, St.Finbarrs, Thomas Clancy, Clonakilty. McCarthy Insurance Group Football League Division 1 Final, St.Finbarrs V's Clonakilty, at Ballygarvan, Co. Cork.

Enda Dennehy and Ian Maguire worked it to Sherlock. Point number 18 for their talisman, number 20 for the Barrs. Level again. Five to go.

But Gough was there again to convert brilliantly after great work from Conor Daly. Four minutes to go, Clon ahead.

John Wigginton Barrett did brilliantly to intercept a Daly back pass from a free with two minutes remaining. He offloaded to Maguire. He picked out Cian O’Sullivan in the corner. Wigginton Barrett continued his run. He was there to receive the pass from O’Sullivan. Through on goal.

He geared up for the shot. It was only going one way.

It flew into the top corner. Barrs in front by two. The Barrs crowd erupted. Clon couldn’t force another opportunity. The Togher outfit held firm.

A statement of their intent for championship, possibly. A statement of intent from Sherlock, certainly.

As Darragh Gough palmed in Clon’s second goal in the 44th minute to stretch their lead to six, it looked as though the Barrs were in trouble.

They needed a fourth-quarter miracle. As if he hadn’t already proved beyond doubt that his loss to Cork was detrimental – the Barrs’ forward turned the game completely on its head.

Suddenly with five minutes to go, the Barrs were in front, 0-17 to 2-10. As we headed into added time, the tension grew. Maguire forced a turnover. Sixteen passes followed before the Cork midfielder got it back, and he fed Thomas O’Keeffe – but Maurice Shanley made a stunning block on the line to stop the winning goal.

From there, Clon fought relentlessly – Tom Clancy and David Lowney on form, and Ridgeway eventually won the free to send it to extra time.

Enda Dennehy, St.Finbarrs, Maurice Shanley, Clonakilty. McCarthy Insurance Group Football League Division 1 Final, St.Finbarrs V's Clonakilty, at Ballygarvan, Co. Cork.

The first half was far less dramatic. But just as evenly matched.

The first 15 minutes were much more reminiscent of football prior to the new rules – just five points and only one from play.

In that first half, Clon goalkeeper Mark White kicked three 45s, while Maguire assisted Sherlock twice for points and won a free that his former Cork teammate converted.

Maguire was also the provider for the best goal chance of the half, as he sent Enda Dennehy through in the 18th minute, but White’s save was collected by Sherlock, who fired over to give the Barrs a 0-5 to 0-2 lead.

John Wigginton Barrett and Eoin Comyns, St.Finbarrs, Jack O'Mahony, Clonakilty

From 0-6 to 0-3, the west Cork side pushed back, kicking three scores to draw level with 26 minutes elapsed. Parity would remain at half-time. Clon would drive on in the second half, as Luke Griffin's strike dipped awkwardly for Darragh Newman, and the ball slipped into the top corner in the 38th minute.

They would grab another major six minutes later, but Daly set up Gough for the simple finish, leaving it 2-9 to 0-9 after 44 minutes.

But Sherlock would have his say. Extra-time took on a life of its own, and the Barrs took the title.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: S Sherlock 0-18 (1 tp, 2 tpf, 0-7 f), J Wigginton Barrett 1-0, B O’Connell 0-2.

Scorers for Clonakilty: D Gough 1-3 (0-1 f), L Griffin 1-1, M White (3 45s), D Ó Sé 0-3 each, R Mannix 0-2, C Daly, T Clancy, B Ridgeway 0-1 each.

ST FINBARR’S: D Newman; S Ryan, A O’Connor, J Kennefick; B O’Connell, J Burns, E Dennehy; F Crowley, E Comyns; C Doolan, J Wigginton Barrett, A Lyne; C Barrett, S Sherlock, I Maguire.

Subs: L Hannigan for Comyns (10 inj), B Hennessy for Kennefick (41), C O’Sullivan for Barrett (50), T O’Keeffe for Lyne (52), Lyne for O’Connell (60+2), O’Connell for Hannigan (65).

CLONAKILTY: M White; C Kenneally, D Darragh, D Lowney; M Shanley, T Clancy, J O’Mahony; D Ó Sé, B Ridgeway; R Mannix, D Gough, S McEvoy; L Griffin, C Ustianowski, C Daly.

Sub: B White for Ustianowski (37) Referee: Ciarán Murphy (Glanworth)

Click here to read article