Premier SFC: Chris Óg Jones fires late winner to send Muskerry past Carbery

Muskerry 1-15 Carbery 1-14 

Cork star Chris Óg Jones scored the winner as Muskerry advanced past Carbery in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC Divisions/Colleges semi-final at Ovens on Friday night.

Leading by three at half-time, 1-8 to 1-5, Muskerry held that advantage for much of the third quarter, with Jones unlucky to see one chance cannon off the top of the crossbar and over. However, Olan Corcoran had a good impact off the bench for Carbery and his second point was followed by a pair from Dan Mac Eoin as they tied the game.

Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t find a lead score but, after Liam Wall and goalkeeper Joseph Creedon pushed Muskerry back in front, Corcoran and Damien Gore had it level again.

In the fading light, the prosect of extra time was growing, but Muskerry, who had missed some chances coming down the stretch, kept their composure. Ian Jones, impressive throughout, held possession before picking the right moment to find his brother Chris Óg and he did the rest.

Muskerry seized the upper hand early – after the opening two points were shared, a nice move involving Ian and Chris Óg Jones ended with O’Leary crashing a shot to the Carbery net. Their shooting efficiency, in contrast to Carbery’s wastefulness, allowed them to build a 1-3 to 0-2 lead, with Liam Wall strong at midfield.

The lead could have been even greater as, twice in quick succession, Carbery were thankful to goalkeeper Mike Casey – on 14 minutes, he was out well to intercept a Chris Óg Jones pass intended for Liam Twohig and then he saved well from the countyman after Aaron O’Sullivan and Twohig had combined to set him up.

Not long after that, Carbery were right back in the game as Arthur Coakley weaved his way through the Muskerry defence and his dummy allowed him the space to find wing-back Seán Daly, who finished well.

That left them just one behind, 1-4 to 1-3, and, while Ian Jones moved Muskerry two in front, Carbery were level by the 24th minute thanks to a pair of Dan Mac Eoin points.

However, foreshadowing what was to come later, Muskerry went in leading by three thanks to two Liam Twohig frees and a good run and shot from Liam O’Connor.

They now progress to a final meeting with Duhallow.

Scorers for Muskerry: C Óg Jones 0-5, L Twohig 0-4 (0-2 f), L O’Connor 0-3 (0-1 f), E O’Leary 1-0, I Jones, L Wall, J Creedon (f) 0-1 each.

Carbery: D Gore (0-1 f), D Mac Eoin (0-2 f) 0-5 each, O Corcoran 0-3, S Daly 1-0, Keith O’Driscoll 0-1.

MUSKERRY: J Creedon (Uibh Laoire); W Ronan (Kilmurry), E Lehane (Canovee), D O'Donovan (Uibh Laoire); K Manning (Uibh Laoire), M Corrigan (Macroom), S O'Riordan (Uibh Laoire), C O'Donovan (Macroom), L Wall (Kilmurry); A O'Sullivan (Aghabullogue), C Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire), E O'Leary (Macroom); L O'Connor (Inniscarra), I Jones (Uibh Laoire), L Twohig (Aghinagh).

Subs: C Dodd (Canovee) for Corrigan (half-time), K O’Connell (Donoughmore) for O’Leary (38), M McLoughlin (Inniscarra) for C O’Donovan (53).

CARBERY: M Casey (Bantry Blues); D Twomey (Ballinascarthy), P Collins (Randal Óg), S O'Riordan (Barryroe); S Daly (Randal Óg), P Murphy (Bandon), G O'Callaghan (Gabriel Rangers); S O'Leary (Bantry Blues), Kevin O'Driscoll (Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh); R Deane (Bantry Blues), C O'Driscoll (Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh), Keith O'Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers); D McEoin (Ilen Rovers), D Gore (Kilmacabea), A Coakley (Bantry Blues).

Subs: S Ryan (Ballinascarthy) for K O’Driscoll, O Corcoran (St Mary’s) for Coakley (both half-time), P O’Driscoll (Ilen Rovers) for O’Callaghan (58).

Referee: B Coniry (Crosshaven).