Frustration for Cill na Martra in narrow All-Ireland final loss at Croke Park
Danny Ó Conaill of Cill na Martra jumps over the tackle of Jason Duffy of St Patrick's Cullyhanna during the AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship final at Croke Park. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
CILL na Martra were left to rue their inaccuracy as they came up short against Armagh's St Patrick's Cullyhanna in the AIB All-Ireland IFC final at Croke Park on Sunday.
The Muskerry club were looking to become the first Cork winners of this competition since Carbery Rangers’ six-point victory in 2005, and they had won four big battles since securing the Cork Premier Intermediate title over the Bantry Blues to reach this decider.
Cill na Martra got the opening score of the game with a peach of a point in the third minute from midfielder Antoin O Cuana, although their Cork senior Daniel Ó Duinnín was off target with three efforts on goal in the opening five minutes.
St Patrick’s corner-forward Gary Mackin levelled in the eighth minute before Daniel Ó Duinnín found his range two minutes later for the Cork champions.
Midfielder Pearse Casey soon landed a quality score from long range for the Armagh outfit and sharpshooter Aidan Nugent notched another in the 17th minute to give his side the lead for the first time, and two minutes later he blasted to the back of the net after St. Patrick’s had regathered a dropping ball around the Cill na Martra house.
Ciaran Ó Duinnín landed a much-needed settler for Cill na Martra in the 23rd minute, and while corner back Colm Mac Lochlainn landed a beauty under pressure on the half-hour mark, this score was sandwiched between two Nugent scores from frees, as St.
Patrick’s led by 1-5 to 0-4 at halftime.
Colm Mac Lochlainn steadied the nerves with another super score in the 38th minute but Gavan Duffy replied with a similar effort for Cullyhanna.
The direct running of Daniel Ó Duinnín was causing problems but the Cill na Martra inaccuracy continued, meaning they did not capitalise on what was another dominant spell of possession with the wide tally reaching the 13-wides mark by the 50th minute.
St Patrick’s centre forward Shea Hoey split the posts in the 52nd minute but unfortunately for the Cork men, the misses kept coming, as chances that had been floating over earlier in the campaign were now being snatched at.
Cill na Martra needed a goal and they almost snatched one when Daniel Ó Duinnín forced St Patrick’s goalkeeper James Carragher into a fine save in the 53rd minute.
The impressive Colm Mac Lochlainn landed his third point of the game in the 57th minute to reduce the margin back down to four, but Cullyhanna captain Jason Duffy had the final say when he landed the final score of the game.
Cill na Martra forced another couple saves from Carragher at the death, but it wasn't to be their day.
A Nugent 1-3 (0-2 f), P Casey, G Mackin, G Duffy, J Duffy 0-1 each.
C Mac Lochlainn 0-3, C Ó Duinnín 0-2, A Cuana, D Ó Duinnín 0-1 each.
J Carragher; S Og Irwin, S Connell, G Duffy; N McCreesh, M Murray, B McConville; P Casey, J Duffy; C Reavey, S Hoey, R McQuillan; G Mackin, T Donnelly, A Nugent.
P Savage for C Reavey (60).
P Ó Críodáin; C Mac Lochlainn, T Ó Corcora, F Ó Faoláin; G Ó Mochain, S Ó Fórréidh, C Ó Fórréidh; A Ó Cuana, G Ó Goillidhe (capt); D Ó Duinnín, C Ó Duinnín, D Ó hUrdail; M Ó Duinnín, M Ó Deasúna, F Ó Héalaithe.
D Ó Conaill for A Ó Cuana (29), A Ó Cuana for D Ó Conaill (32), D Ó Conaill for M Ó Deasúna (HT), S Ó Duinnín for D Ó hUrdail (43), E Ó Conaill for M Ó Duinnín (54), D Mac Lochlainn for F Ó Héalaithe (56).
Liam Devenney (Mayo).
App?
