PIFC: Naomh Abán rue missed chances as Nemo Rangers strike late

Naomh Abán 1-11 Nemo Rangers 1-11 

After getting off to a dream start with a goal within 14 seconds of the throw-in, Naomh Abán ended up ruing missed chances as their city opponents in this Premier Intermediate clash at Kilmurry snatched a late equalising point well into the third minute of added time.

In what seemed like a blink of an eye following the throw-in, the Gaeltacht side playing against a stiff enough breeze were off to a flyer with a goal coming from Daniel Ó Ceallaigh. He was at the end of Ó a move started when team captain Dara Micí Ó Loingsigh secured possession and passed to Conchur John C Ó Críodáin whose run through the middle paved the way for a pass to Wayne Mac Carthaigh and the other corner-forward at the edge of the square and there was no mistake from there.

Nemo responded well, a point from Ciarán Dalton in the first minute was followed in short order by a point from full-forward Conor O’Donovan.

There was a lot of possession football played by both. Despite this the play was lively and both sets of players showed they were able to get in for their scores with incisive runs.

Points followed from Naomh Abán’s Maidhc Ó Duinnín and Wayne Mac Carthaigh and Jack Coogan responded with a brace for Nemo. On the quarter-hour mark Conchúr Ó Críodáin snatched a point and the corresponding score from Nemo was put over by corner-back Shane Dwyer, who launched a long-range effort from the wing.

At half time, Naomh Abán would have felt they had the advantage facing into a second half when they would be playing with the breeze and enjoying a two-point cushion at the interval, 1-5 to 0-6.

It was the turn of Nemo Rangers to get off to a bit of a flyer after the break, scoring three points to no reply, through Brian Hayes and Coogan (2). The second point, a Coogan free, followed an excellent block from Colm de Róiste. However the free had been awarded moments before.

A long-range Maidhc Ó Duinnín free from well outside 45m secured an equaliser for Naomh Abán as that quarter expired and they took the lead again through a Jack Ó Donnchú point moments later. 

A replying point from Coogan on 20 minutes was followed by four points from Naomh Abán – substitute Maidhcí Ó Liatháin, Wayne Mac Carthaiggh, Marc Ó Críód and Conchur John C Ó Críodáin all scoring and they looked unassailable, four points up and 30 seconds of normal time left. 

Nemo put the pressure once more and despite a lot of valiant defending by Naomh Abán, the wall was penetrated by Colm Kiely who found the back of the net. This was followed in the third minute of injury time by a careless foul and Coogan pointed the resulting free. 

Naomh Abán face Bantry Blues in the final round-robin game, a tough proposition, while Nemo will take on Bandon.

Scorers for Naomh Abán: D Ó Ceallaigh 1-1, M Ó Duinnín 0-3 (0-2 f), W. Mac Carthaigh, C Ó Críodáin 0-2 each, J Ó Donnchú, M. Críod, M. Ó Liatháin 0-1 each. 

Nemo Rangers: J Coogan 0-6 (0-3 f), C Kiely 1-0, C Dalton, B Hayes 0-2 each, S Dwyer 0-1.

NAOMH ABÁN: G Ó Luasa; C de Róiste, C Ó Deasúnaigh, S Hendy; N Ó Ceallaigh, C de hÍde, É Ó Críodáin; DM Ó Loingsigh, J Ó Donnchú; C Ó Críodáin, D Ó Laoghaire, M Ó Críod; D Ó Ceallaigh, M Ó Duinnín, W MacCarthaigh.

Subs: M Ó Liatháin for N Ó Ceallaigh, A Ó Cathasaigh for de hÍde.

NEMO: D O'Leary; M Hill, C Shaloe, S O’Dwyer; D Quinn, B Murphy, A Cronin; B O’Neill, C Cusack; C Kiely, J Coogan, C Dalton; E Mangan, C O’Donovan, B Hayes.

Subs: C O’Neill for D Quinn, B O’Connor for E Mangan, R Hogan for B Hayes.

Referee: M Collins (Clonakilty).