PIFC: Aghabullogue book semi-final spot following hard-fought win over Iveleary

Aghabullogue 1-12 

Iveleary: 0-13 

In this Muskerry derby, it was Aghabullogue who came out on the right side against Iveleary in the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC at a blustery and damp Kilmurry on Saturday evening.

As a result of this two-point win, the Coachford-based side progress to the semi-finals where they will play the winners of Naomh Abán and Rockchapel. Iveleary move onto the quarter-final stage and a meeting with familiar foes Bantry Blues.

This final game in Group 1 pitted two fancied teams at this grade locking horns safe in the knowledge that both were heading into the business end. It was a very open game of football with the safety net in play with no love lost between the teams in what was a typical derby contest in front of a fine attendance. 

This was an excellent team performance from Aghabullogue. They did the heavy lifting in the first half. They led by six points at the break and even though they were hanging on towards the end, they probably should have been out of sight earlier with poor shooting leaving them down.

The biggest concern for Iveleary would be the injury to Chris Óg Jones with the Cork footballer leaving the pitch in added time in the second half. He did walk off, but he looked in discomfort with their next game in two weeks. 

Last year’s IAFC winners conceded the first score after three minutes when Seán O’Riordan clipped over a point, but Ray Keane’s side replied with 1-4 on the trot. The goal coming from Luke Casey after seven minutes after he was quickest to react after Iveleary goalkeeper Joe Creedon was unable to deal with the dropping ball. Colm Gillespie's effort was the pick of those four points for the winners.  

Chris Óg Jones, well marshalled by Paul Dilworth in the opening 30 minutes, converted a free for Iveleary, but it was Aghabullogue in the driving seat. The sides traded points before Iveleary’s Ian Jones received a black card after 21 minutes. Barry Oldham's charges down to 14 players for 10 minutes. 

Luke Casey pushed Aghabullogue 1-6 to 0-3 clear before Chris Óg Jones pointed for his side. The winners kicked two of the last three points of the half as the team in green and white led 1-8 to 0-5 at half-time. 

A Brian Cronin point three minutes into the new half was just the start for Iveleary as they then landed three of the next four points to reduce the deficit down to a goal after 43 minutes, 1-9 to 0-9.

Evan O’Sullivan settled the Aghabullogue nerves with a white flag followed by a Padraic O’Sullivan fisted effort. Both sides had goal chances but nothing came to fruition. The teams exchanged points, 1-12 to 0-10 with two minutes remaining.

Iveleary tacked on points from Ian Jones and Cronin (free) as Chris Óg Jones went off injured. A Seán O’Leary point left two points in it but Aghabullogue hung on to book a semi-final place, which is a great achievement for the newcomers playing at this grade for the first time ever.

Iveleary will have to improve for their quarter-final clash with Bantry Blues.

Scorers for Aghabullogue: M Bradley 0-5 (0-1 f), L Casey 1-1, E O’Sullivan 0-3 (0-2 f), B O’Sullivan, C Gillespie, P O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Iveleary: C Óg Jones 0-6 (0-3 f), B Cronin (0-1 f), S O’Riordan 0-2 each, S O’Leary, T Roberts, I Jones 0-1 each.

AGHABULLOGUE: I O’Sullivan; C Smith, M Dennehy, T Long; P Ring, P Dilworth, B O’Sullivan; C Gillespie, D Merrick; P O’Sullivan, J Corkery, A O’Sullivan; M Bradley, E O’Sullivan, L Casey.

Subs: A Murphy for M Dennehy (52), C O’Sullivan for J Corkery (53), R Dennehy for E O’Sullivan (59), B Casey for A O’Sullivan (62).

IVELEARY: J Creedon; B Murphy, D O’Riordan, C Galvin; K Manning, S O’Leary, T Roberts; C O’Leary, B O’Leary; A O’Donovan, C Óg Jones, S O’Riordan; B Cronin, L Kearney, I Jones.

Subs: S Pickering for B O’Leary (51), D O’Donovan for K Manning (54), K Jones for B Murphy (56), J Sweeney for C Óg Jones (62, inj).

Referee: Shane Scanlon (Newcestown).