Parnells 2-11
Fulham Irish 2-7
DURING the past couple of weeks in the Danny Sullivan London SFC Parnells have generated hope and momentum with Sunday's deserved success bringing further cause for optimism.
Fulham Irish were brave and dogged until the end, but Parnells encouraging first-half performance was ultimately when the most serious damage was done. Parnells will also feel that they could have been slightly slicker in attack posting only 2-4 from 15 opening period scoring chances.
After the restart, though, when Fulham Irish posed significant questions Parnells found the answers and more importantly nailed the points which truly mattered.
With Graham Glynn effective inside Parnells impressed initially as the full-forward struck a ninth minute major. Goal opportunities were being manufactured at both ends and Fulham Irish were back on terms quickly at 1-1 each when David Duggan rattled the Parnells net following a clever pass from Daniel McGovern.
Parnells dictated the pace and pattern until the interval as Eanna Flaherty clipped a fine goal following thoughtful approach work by Jarlath Branagan and Glynn. While Parnells' half-time lead was 2-4 to 1-2 Fulham Irish thundered into the contest in the third quarter.
Peadar Friel dashed about in attack craving involvement, and when McGovern rifled a beautiful 41st minute goal Fulham Irish were back in the hunt. A Friel point trimmed the gap to the minimum, but Parnells stayed cool, calm, and composed. Three efforts on the spin from Richie Dempsey, Seamus Stenson, and a Branagan free were critical.
Two more points from Friel kept Fulham Irish in touch, but Parnells finished strongly as Stenson and Branagan struck insurance scores in the closing minutes. It remains early in the Championship campaign, but these two teams showed enough to suggest whoever is to beat them in the latter stages will most definitely be forced to earn it.
Scores for Parnells: G Glynn 1-2, E Flaherty 1-0, J Branagan 0-3 (1f), S Stenson 0-2, R Dempsey 0-2, J Casey 0-1, S O'Donnell 0-1.
Scorers for Fulham Irish: D Duggan 1-1, D McGovern 1-0, P Friel 0-3 (2fs), P Poland 0-2, D Gilhooly 0-1.
Parnells: K Noonan; R Corrigan, S O'Keefe, D Gallagher; K Culhane, S Devine, R Dempsey; S O'Donnell, S Tierney; S Stenson, J Regan, J Branagan; E Flaherty, G Glynn, G Crowley. Subs: G McCarthy for Crowley (25 mins).
Fulham Irish: D Butler; J Gilfedder, M McCaffrey, J Quinn; P Galvin, M Dochry, B Martin; D O'Connor, S Mulligan; S McCarthy, D McGovern, D Gilhooly; D Duggan, P Friel, P Poland. Subs: B Kavanagh for Butler (31 mins), A O'Regan for McCarthy (36 mins), D McEvoy for Dochry (38 mins), M Walsh for O'Connor (50 mins).
Referee: R Whelan.
