PIFC: Iveleary defeat Muskerry rivals Naomh Abán to advance to the quarter-finals

Iveleary: 2-9 Naomh Abán: 0-10 

IN a huge Muskerry derby with everything on the line, it was Iveleary who edged out Naomh Abán to advance to the knockout stages of the Bon Secours Hospital PIFC in what was a tense battle at Carrigadrohid on Saturday evening.

Iveleary will face Cill na Martra in the quarter-finals.

In front of a huge crowd, both teams traded early points, which were frees, before Chris Óg Jones nudged Iveleary in front with a point from an acute angle, 0-2 to 0-1 after nine minutes. Naomh Abán levelled after eleven minutes through a Dónal Ó Ceallaigh white flag.

The Ballyvourney side nudged ahead courtesy of a Éadbhard Ó Mír white flag, 0-3 to 0-2 after the first quarter.

Ó Mír converted a free for Náomh Abán from an impossible angle, the score of the match, as the team in blue and white pushed two points clear after 20 minutes. Scores were at a premium in the final 10 minutes of the half, but Iveleary did reduce the deficit down to a point through a Cathal Vaughan free, their first score in 18 minutes, 0-4 to 0-3 after 27 minutes.

The teams went into the dressing room all square after Vaughan landed a free, 0-4 each at the short whistle.

A brilliant long-range point from Timmy Roberts pushed Iveleary ahead 0-5 to 0-4, two minutes into the new half. The Inchigeela side went into a two-point lead when Chris Óg Jones split the posts before Darragh Ó Laoire pointed at the other end, 0-6 to 0-5 after 41 minutes. A massive score arrived after 43 minutes, which came from Iveleary, Daniel O’Donovan’s long-range effort, which looked like going over the bar, went all the way into the net to the surprise of everyone, 1-6 to 0-5.

Ó Mír converted a free for Naomh Abán before Iveleary took a firm grip on proceedings when Chris Óg Jones billowed the back of the net, 2-6 to 0-6 after 46 minutes. Naomh Abán's response was two quick-fire white flags. Iveleary kept their opposition at arms-length and with three minutes remaining, they led 2-7 to 0-9.

Points from Ian Jones and Chris Óg Jones gave the winners a six-point lead. Chris Óg Jones then received a black-card but the game was all but over. Iveleary then received another black card, this time it was Seanie O’Leary before Naomh Abán landed a consolation point from Conchúr Ó Criodáin.

Scorers for Iveleary: C Óg Jones 1-4, C Vaughan 0-3 f, D O’Donovan 1-0, T Roberts, I Jones 0-1 each.

Naomh Abán: É Ó Mír 0-5 (0-3 f), C Ó Criodáin 0-2, Dónal Ó Ceallaigh, D Ó Laoire, A Ó Luasa 0-1 each.

IVELEARY: J Creedon; D O’Donovan, D O’Riordan, B Murphy; F McSweeney, S O’Leary, T Roberts; C O’Riordan, C O’Leary; S O’Riordan, C Óg Jones, I Jones; B Cronin, C Vaughan, L Kearney.

Subs: B O’Riordan for L Kearney (h-t), S Pickering for S O’Riordan (44).

NAOMH ABÁN: G Ó Luasa; E Ó Criodáin, C Ó Deasúnaigh, C de Róiste; N Ó Ceallaigh, D Ó Loingsigh, J Ó Donnchú; C Ó Donnchú, D Ó Laoire; C Ó Criodáin, Dónal Ó Ceallaigh, S Hendy; Dermot Ó Ceallaigh, É Ó Mír, A Ó Luasa.

Subs: D Ó hAllamháin for Dermot Ó Ceallaigh (h-t), S Ó Riordáin for S Hendy (37, inj), P Ó Liatháin for N Ó Ceallaigh (39).

Referee: Michael Collins (Clonakilty).