RedFM Hurling League: Charlie Lucas's late leveller sends Douglas top

Douglas 3-16 

St Finbarr’s 2-19 

A late Charlie Lucas goal earned Douglas a draw – and top spot in Division 1 of the RedFM Hurling League – in Friday’s clash at home to St Finbarr’s.

While the hosts looked set to cruise to victory as they built a 2-8 to 0-4 lead in the first half, they found themselves pegged back by the Barrs, who would have themselves gone top with a victory.

With John Wigginton Barrett excellent at midfield following his half-time arrival as a sub, the equally superb Sam Cunningham was also to the fore for the Togher side. It was a penalty goal by the latter – bringing his tally to 2-6 – that opened up a five-point lead, 2-18 to 2-13, inside the final ten minutes, but Douglas battled back well.

Two Conor Kingston frees cut the gap to a goal and, though Jack O’Kelly replied with a Barrs point to give them breathing space going into injury time, there was still room for late drama.

Sub Brian O’Connor’s point for the hosts left them 2-19 to 2-16 behind and that deficit was wiped out as Kingston’s found Lucas, who was able to find the net and ensure a share of the spoils.

Green flags from the corner-forward bookended the game, as he struck for an early goal and point to put Douglas into a lead that mushroomed for most of the first half.

Cathal Hallihan’s goal on 20 minutes had them 2-6 to 0-3 in front but coming up to half-time Cunningham inspired a Barrs revival. After points from him and wing-back Adam Buckley, the son of the Barrs manager Ger found the net before adding a pair of points in quick succession.

They brought the deficit to five points, 2-10 to 1-8, before Jack O’Brien and Caolán O’Connor were on hand to leave just a goal in it at the interval.

On the restart, the Barrs were a team transformed, with David Murray and sub Scott Callanan among the scores as they roared in front - Douglas's cause not helped by the temporary departure of goalkeeper Patrick O'Sullivan, necessitating centre-forward Seán Barron having to go in goal.

Kingston, Andy O’Connell and David Kelly kept Douglas in touch but the Barrs appeared to be able to hold them off. That was until the late fightback ensured it finished honours even.

Scorers for Douglas: C Lucas 2-1, C Hallihan 1-1, C Kingston 0-5 (0-3 f), D Kelly, A O’Connell 0-2 each, C O’Donovan, C Baldwin, S Barron, N Hartnett, B O’Connor 0-1 each.

St Finbarr’s: S Cunningham 2-6 (1-0 penalty, 0-2 f), C O’Connor 0-3 (0-1 f), J O’Brien, J O’Kelly, A Buckley, D Murray 0-2 each, S Callanan, B Hennessy 0-1 each.

DOUGLAS: P O’Sullivan; J O’Callaghan Maher, B O’Neill, D Murphy; E O’Flynn, M Howell, C O’Donovan; D Kelly, A O’Connell; C Kingston, S Barron, C Hallahan; C Lucas, N Hartnett, C Baldwin.

Subs: D Harte for O’Sullivan (40-45, temporary), B O’Connor for O’Flynn (40), Harte for Barron (45), K McSweeney for Baldwin (55).

ST FINBARR’S: E Kelleher; B O’Connell, J Burns, J Kennefick; A Buckley, B Hennessy, C Crowley; E Hallahan, S Cunningham; C O’Connor, J O’Kelly, J O’Brien; J Linehan, C Keane, D Murray.

Subs: J Wigginton Barrett for Hallahan (half-time), S Callanan for Crowley (37).

Referee: S Stokes (Tullylease).