The Barrs' William Buckley keeps possession after a tackle from Douglas\u2019 Conor Kingston. Pic: Noel Sweeney<\/p>\n
Cork Premier SFC: St Finbarr\u2019s 3-16 (3-0-16) Douglas 1-11 (1-1-9)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Holders St Finbarr\u2019s are back on track in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC after they swatted away the challenge of city neighbours Douglas at P\u00e1irc U\u00ed Rinn on Friday evening.<\/p>\n
The pressure was on the Barrs coming into this Group 1 Round 2 encounter after their surprising loss to Carrigaline three weeks ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t a classic, with very little flow to the southside derby.<\/p>\n
It took a bit of time, but this was a much more rounded display from St Finbarr\u2019s as they now move level on points with Douglas following this 11\u2011point win.<\/p>\n
Brian Roche\u2019s side led by six points at one stage in the first half, but that advantage was soon wiped out as they briefly trailed.<\/p>\n
A key moment arrived on the stroke of half-time when the Barrs grabbed a settling goal to lead by two points heading into the dressing rooms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t vintage St Finbarr\u2019s, but they will be content to get the win. They dominated the second 30 minutes, albeit against a Douglas side who failed to fire after the short whistle.<\/p>\n
St Finbarr\u2019s looked like a side on a mission from the throw\u2011in, landing the first two points through Brian Hayes and William Buckley.<\/p>\n
It was a long way back \u2014 or so it seemed \u2014 for Douglas after just seven minutes when Hayes fisted the ball into the net after a darting run from Fionn Crowley resulted in the defender playing the ball across to the Cork hurler.<\/p>\n
Steven Sherlock then pointed, with Douglas yet to create a meaningful scoring chance, but they sprung into action after nine minutes with a goal from Joe Mouret after a sweeping team move, with Luis Dwan\u2011Fogarty heavily involved early on.<\/p>\n
Cork U20 footballer Se\u00e1n Coakley then cut the gap to just two.<\/p>\n
The game settled after a frantic start, with St Finbarr\u2019s enjoying more possession but finding it tough to break down the Paudie Kissane\u2011coached Douglas side.<\/p>\n
Luke Hannigan did sneak his way in for a goal chance, but Douglas goalkeeper Andrew Cotter spread himself well.<\/p>\n