Kanturk 0-12 Cill na Martra 0-11 

KANTURK’S superior firepower proved enough to hold off a competitive Cill na Matra in a gripping Bons Secour Premier IFC semi-final in Mallow.

Gritty defending and more composure meant a balanced Kanturk effort upset the fancied Gaeltacht side.

By doing so, the victors took a confident step towards a glamour showdown with improving Knocknagree to set up an intriguing all-Duhallow clash in the decider.

In fairness to Cill na Martra, they fought gallantly to preserve their championship aspirations only for their game to run out of impetus and poor shooting impinged on their prospects.

There was nothing to separate the sides from the outset, the sides deadlocked on five occasions during the opening 20 minutes. From the lively and tough proceedings, Cill na Martra points by Danno and Shane Ó Duinnín were matched by Cian Clernon and Ian Walsh.

Cill na Martra looked dangerous on the break with Graham Ó Mocháin and Nollaig Ó Laoire launching attacks from deep. 

And from a key offensive, Danny Ó Conail won a penalty only for Kanturk keeper Jordan Fullerton divert Michéal Ó Deasúna’s effort outside the post for the latter point the resultant 45.

That let-off lifted Kanturk with Clernon and Ryan Walsh on target with Cill na Martra net minder Antóin Ó Conaill denying Paul Walsh of a goal chance for Kanturk enjoy a 0-10 to 0-8 advantage.

From the restart, a well-organised Kanturk took a grip, the introduction of Aidan Walsh as a substitute created a huge impact in defence as did the Browne and McLoughlin brothers with Paul Walsh and James Fitzpatrick pulling the strings at midfield to provide a liberal supply for Clernon and Ian Walsh in attack to shoot points. 

Amazingly Kanturk failed to add to their tally after the 35th min though Walsh was denied by the intervention of veteran Cill na Martra defender Ó Laoire to take the ball off the goal line.

A wasteful Cill na Martra rallied, let down by poor shooting and shepherded into cul-du-sacs by the Kanturk rearguard, points from Ciarán Ó Duinnin, Ó Deasúna and Danno Duinnín reduced the deficit to the minimum.

In fairness, Cill na Martra worked hard to rescue the game but a late long-range free by Ó Deasúna drifted wide of the uprights.

Scorers for Kanturk: C Clernon 0-4 (0-1 mark), R Walsh 0-3, I Walsh 0-3 (0-1 f), P Walsh, L O’Neill 0-1 each.

Cill na Martra: M Ó Deasúna 0-3 (0-2 f, 0-1 45), S Ó Duinnín 0-3, C Ó Duinnín, D Ó Duinnín 0-2 each, D Ó hUrdail 0-1 f.

KANTURK: J Fullerton; J McLoughlin, J Browne, L Cashman; L O’Neill, Aidan Walsh, D Browne, L McLoughlin; J Fitzpatrick, P Walsh; R Walsh, M Healy, L O’Keeffe; K Holland, I Walsh, C Clernon.

Subs: Aidan Walsh for L O’Neill (h-t), Alan Walsh for L O’Keeffe (43), B O’Sullivan for K Holland (47), G Keneghan for R Walsh (57).

CILL NA MARTRA: A Ó Conaill; D Mac Lochlainn, G Ó Mocháin, E Ó Loingsigh; T Ó Corcora, N Ó Laoire, D Ó Conaill; G Ó Goillidhe, S Ó Foirréidh; C Ó Duinnín, M Ó Deasúna, G Ó Faoláin; D Ó hUrdail, D Ó Duinnín, S Ó Duinnín.

Subs: C Ó Meacchair for D Ó hUrdail (h-t), M Ó Conchúir for G Ó Faoláin (37), S Ó Loinsigh for T Ó Corcora(37), C Ó Laoire for E Ó Loingsigh(46), L Ó Loinsigh for C Ó Duinnín(52).

Referee: A O’Connor (Ballygarvan).