Tom the man as Fingal hit six in league
Wednesday March 03 2010
THREE goals in the first 17 minutes set Fingal on their way to a comprehensive victory that boosts their hopes of Leinster Division 1 survival. But the performance against Clontarf, who looked certain to be relegated, wasn't entirely convincing and Gerry Wheeler's team have plenty to work on ahead of their forthcoming Leinster Senior Cup Final against Pembroke Wanderers in mid-March.
Nevertheless, the ALSAA-based side took just five minutes to open their account last Saturday, Tom Manning showing great reflexes to deflect David Bane's off-target shot into the goal. The roles were then reversed in the 12th minute as Manning turned provider for Bane, and mid-way through the first half a very good move finished with Paddy Gahan providing the centre for a Chris Neville tap-in – 3-0. Despite winning a few corners Clontarf didn't really threaten, and seven minutes into the second half Manning scored again from the top of the circle.
This time Clontarf did respond with a goal, but on 55 minutes Gary Sharman followed up to score after his initial shot was saved – only for the visitors to strike again with a shot from an acute angle.
Fingal had the last say in the 65th minute, however, when Adrian Sweeny was upended, resulting in a penalty stroke, and Manning completed a hat-trick – his first of the season. Next weekend Fingal face a trip to second-from-bottom Railway Union, where victory would virtually assure them of their Division 1 status for another season.
FINGAL: Nigel Grothier, Conor Connolly, Ben Chillingworth, Stephen Thompson, Andy Marshall, Chris Neville, Derek O'Gorman, Lloyd Pearson, David Bane, Gary Sharman, Paddy Gahan. Rotation subs: Adrian Sweeny, Eamonn Bane, Brian Gray, Trevor Parsons.
