Roche Emmets 1-18 Naomh Fionnbarra 2-11

Roche stretched their lead at the Division Two summit to four points on Thursday night with a battling victory over rugged Naomh Fionnbarra at Páirc de Róiste.

Emmets led from start-to-finish but had to withstand a second half comeback from the Barrs before eventually prevailing.

Substitute Robert Mackin looked to have sealed the spoils with a late goal, nudging the winners 1-16 to 1-10 in front, but a controversial second major, after a spell of pinball close to the target, hauled the Barrs back into contention, only for Glen Stewart to burst the visitors’ bubble with a clutch register at a crucial stage.

Having began where they left off against Dundalk Gaels four days earlier, Roche shot sharply out of the blocks with Barry O’Hare hitting five first half points as the hosts took an 0-11 to four lead into the break.

Mark Byrne (2), Eugene Murray, Martin Carroll, Stewart and Dan O’Connell also found range with the Togher men kept in it by the free-taking exploits of Thomas McCreesh.

Seemingly cruising to the win, a ball off the post really ought to have been converted by Roche’s inrushing attack at the beginning of the second half and that seemed to set the tone for a lethargic display.

The concession of a slack goal gave the Barrs hope, the gap sliced to two by Hugh McGrane’s tap-in, and while the boys in blue continued to add to their tally, it wasn’t until Mackin bulged the net that the outcome appeared inevitable.

Six ahead, that should have been that – it wasn’t, however, as Evin Quigley had to be at his best to ensure Roche saw out the affair. Having flittered Finbarr’s men when clearing his lines, the next attack saw him pull off a stunning stop only for the rebound the find its way in via Darren McConnon.

There were nervy moments to finish, but Emmets deservedly got out on the right side of the result – for the fourth time in as many matches.

Roche: Evin Quigley; Gerard Browne, David Quigley, James McDonnell; Seán Dawe (0-1), Liam Carthy, David O’Connell; Glen Stewart (0-3), Martin Carroll (0-1); Shane Byrne (0-2), Eugene Murray (0-1), Mark Byrne (0-3); Mikey McCourt, Dan O’Connell (0-2), Barry O’Hare (0-5)

Subs: Robert Mackin (1-0) for McCourt, Fintan Watters for Murray, Enda Murphy for Carthy

Naomh Fionnbarra: Michael McArdle; Oisín Madden, Brendan Simms, Colum Kierans; James Butterly, Colin McGrane, Kalum Regan; Josh Crosbie, Ciarán Markey; Hugh McGrane (1-0), Conor Osborne, Adam Hanratty; Stephen O’Reilly (0-1), Hugh Osborne, Thomas McCreesh (0-10)

Subs: Darren McConnon (1-0) for H Osborne, Máirtín Murphy for Hanratty, Conor Boyle for Markey, Ciarán Boyle for McGrane

Referee: Paul Burke