SAFC: Cill na Martra edge out rivals Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh to book knockout spot
Dara Ó Briain and Seán Ó Fóirréidh rise the highest for a dropping ball during the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC match between Cill na Martra and Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh. Picture: David Creedon
Cill na Martra have qualified for the knockout stages of the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC after securing the bragging rights over neighbours Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh in a gripping battle at sun-kissed Ballyvourney on Sunday evening.
A capacity and noisy crowd were present for this Muskerry derby, but it was last year’s PIFC winners that made it two wins from two in Group 1 and in the process secure a place in the business end with a game to spare.
They were driven on by the likes of Tadhg Ó Corcora, Seán Ó Fóirréidh, Shane Ó Duinnín and Daniel Ó Duinnín. The latter in particular who pretty much ran the show.
Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh suffer a second defeat as they are now unable to make the top two. They looked in trouble with 10 minutes to go as they trailed by five points but were level two minutes later with two quick-fire goals doing the trick, but it was Cill na Martra who showed experience and guile late on to get the win.
The best for Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh was without a doubt Ben Seartan up front who gave an exhibition, hitting 0-8, six from play.
Credit must be given to the highly respected referee Brian Coniry who left the game flow as much as possible but made the big calls when they had to be made.
In the first championship meeting between these rivals in 21 years, Cill na Martra were fast out of the traps with a point after two minutes through Danny Ó Conaill. After a lateral opening, Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh put together two unanswered points through Ben Seartan and Seán Ó Muineacháin.
The game finally picked up in intensity with Jason Mac Cárthaigh (free) and Daniel Ó Duinnín raising white flags to push Cill na Martra 0-3 to 0-2 ahead after 11 minutes.
A Diarmuid Mac Tomáis mark drew Johnny Crowley’s side level before they were rocked after 16 minutes when Cill na Martra billowed the back of the net. Great work by Daniel Ó Duinnín set up Shane Ó Duinnín and the latter finished with aplomb.
That was followed by a long range free from goalkeeper Micheál Ó Deasúna as Cill na Martra opened up a four-point gap. Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh were well in this game and three unanswered points brought them to within a point of their opposition, 1-4 to 0-6 after 24 enjoyable minutes.
It was though Morgan O’Sullivan’s charges who were slightly better at this juncture as they tacked on three successive points with Arran Ó hUídhir’s effort a highlight. The sides traded points before the break as Cill na Martra led 1-8 to 0-7 at half-time.
The eventual winners made a fast start to the new half when Damien Ó hUrdaill pointed only for Ben Seartan to do the same for his side a minute later. Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh were hanging in there and the aforementioned Ben Seartan and sub Matt Ó Riordáin raised white flags to reduce the deficit to two points, 1-9 to 0-10 after 36 minutes.
Cill na Martra were dangerous going forward and 1-1 without reply gave them a healthy lead. Mac Cárthaigh with a boomer of a point and Shane Ó Duinnín got his second goal after 39 minutes. A great finish into the roof of the net, 2-10 to 0-10.
The team in white and blue had the experience to keep their neighbours at arms-length for a short period. They led 2-12 to 0-13 with 10 minutes remaining. It was game on a minute later when Seán Ó Luasa unleashed a pile driver to the back of the net. Daniel Ó Duinnín put three points between the sides until Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh got their second goal in two minutes when Seamus Ó Tuama finished to the net, 2-13 apiece after 53 minutes.
Cill na Martra settled again with points from Damien Ó hUrdaill (free) and Maidhcí Ó Duinnín after 57 cracking minutes.
Nollaig Ó Laoire left one in it as we went into injury time but Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh couldn’t find an equaliser.
Cill na Martra meet Carrigaline in the final group game in four weeks. For Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh, they will meet Kiskeam with both teams without any points in what is effectively a relegation play-off semi-final.
S Ó Duinnín 2-2 (0-1 m), D Ó Duinnín 0-4, D Ó HUrdaill (0-1 f), J Mac Cárthaigh (0-1 f) 0-2 each, M Ó Deasúna (f), A Ó hUídhir, D Ó Conaill, S Ó Fóirréidh, M Ó Duinnín 0-1 each.
B Seartan 0-8 (0-2 f), S Ó Tuama, S Ó Luasa 1-0 each, D Mac Tomáis 0-2 (0-1 m), M Ó Riordáin, N Ó Laoire, D Seartan, S Ó Muineacháin 0-1 each.
M Ó Deasúna; D Mac Lochlainn, T Ó Corcora, F Ó Faoláin; D Ó Conaill, S Ó Fóirréidh, C Ó Fóirréidh; C Ó Duinnín, G Ó Goillidhe (c); J Mac Cárthaigh, D Ó hUrdaill, A Ó hUídhir; D Ó Duinnín, M Ó Duinnín, S Ó Duinnín.
E Ó Conaill for A Ó hUídhir (49), F Ó Faoláin for G Ó Goillidhe (53), D Mac Cárthaigh for S Ó Duinnín (63, inj).
D Ó Coill; C Ó Duinnín; B Ó hÁrgáin, J Ó Donnchú; D Ó Briain, É Ó Duinnín (c), D Ó Ceallacháin; S Ó Luasa, S Ó Tuama; L Ó Criodáin, D Seartan, S Ó Muineacháin; C Ó Loingsigh, D Mac Tomáis, B Seartan.
N Ó Laoire for D Ó Ceallacháin (h-t), M Ó Riordáin for L Ó Criodáin (33), G Ó Laoire for J Ó Donnchú (43), C Ó Tuama for É Ó Duinnín (49), L Seartan for S Ó Muineacháin (56).
Brian Coniry (Crosshaven).
App?
