Carrigaline preserve Senior A winning streak at Cill na Martra's expense
Carrigaline's Niall Quirke moves out from defence. Picture: Noel Sweeney
In a game where neither side could realistically go straight through to the semi-finals – there wasn't much to play for.
Nonetheless, it was a hard fought contest between the two – with Carrigaline edging Cill na Martra in the Cork Senior A Football Championship after Brian O’Driscoll starred in an impressive third quarter display.
The Gaeltacht side led by four at the break in Ballymaw but Carrigaline were outstanding on the resumption, outscoring Cill na Martra 0-7 to 0-1 throughout the next 15 minutes.
Scores from Niall Coakley were sandwiched by one from Dan Greene as Kieran McCarthy assisted him, before O’Driscoll levelled it with an excellent score on 38 minutes 0-12 to 1-9.
Eanna Desmond nudged the Carrigdhoun side in front from a free, and a well-worked team move finished by O’Driscoll gave Carrig a two point lead after 43 minutes.
After being hit for six scores in a row Cill na Matra played it patient and were rewarded with an important score though Ciarán Ó Duinnín.
Daniel Ó Duinnín’s fifth point and a free from Damien Ó hUrdail levelled the game for the seventh time – but that would mark the end of Cill na Martra’s scoring in the 50th minute.
An immediate response from O’Driscoll 30 seconds later put Carrigaline back in front – and they held their shape in the final 10 minutes.
They added three more scores, but their physical and robust defensive approach paid dividends as they kept their opponents scoreless.
Daniel Ó Duinnín was outstanding for Cill na Martra but Carrigaline managed to limit his damage – either by closing off any space he could run into or by bringing him down when he got through.
It was a convincing second half display that showed why they’re title favourites and was an improvement on what they produced in the first period.
Two points from Daniel Ó Duinnín put Cill na Martra 0-4 to 0-2 in front after 10 minutes, but Carrigaline’s response was green – with Brian Coakley passing to Cian Barry, who buried it into the net from close in.
Cill na Martra did get back in front thanks to points from Daniel Ó Duinnín and his cousin Maidhcí, but two frees from O’Driscoll restored Carrig’s one-point advantage by the 16th minute, 1-4 to 0-6.
That was the last time Carrigaline led until the 45th minute, as their opponents clinical in front of the posts for the rest of the half.
Shane Ó Duinnin levelled the contest after Damien Ó hUrdail assisted, and they outscored Carrig 0-5 to 0-1 to close out the half – though their opponents would produce a classy response in the second half to ensure they preserved their winning streak.
B O’Driscoll 0-6 (0-3 f), N Coakley 0-4 (0-2 f), E Desmond 0-3 (0-1 f), C Barry 1-0, D Greene 0-2.
D Ó Duinnín 0-5, S Ó Duinnín 0-4 (0-1 f), D Ó hUrdail 0-3 (0-2 f), J MacCárthaigh 0-2 (0-1 f), M Ó Duinnín, C Ó Duinnín 0-1 each.
S Mellet; N Quirke, I Sheerin, K McCarthy; D King, C O’Herlihy, J McCarthy (Cpt); B O’Driscoll, C Barry; A Cohalen, B Coakley, D Greene; E Landers, N Coakley, E Desmond.
K Kavanagh for King (43), E Ryle for Cohalen (50).
M Ó Deasúna; D Ó Conaill, T Ó Corcora, F Ó Faoláin; C Ó Duinnín, S Ó Foirréidh, C Ó Cróinín; G Ó Goillidhe (Cpt), F Ó h-Éalaithe; E Ó Conaill, D Ó Duinnín, J MacCárthaigh; M Ó Duinnín, D Ó hUrdail, S Ó Duinnín.
Subs: C Ó Foirreidh for Ó h-Éalaithe (HT), A Ó hUidhir for C Ó Foirreidh (39-41 bs), Ó hUidhir for Ó Conaill (48).
Canice Walsh (Nemo Rangers)
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