Kanturk seal SAFC semi-final spot but Fermoy still in relegation danger

Kanturk 2-8 Fermoy 0-10

Kanturk's superior firepower in the closing stages saw them maintain their McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC unbeaten run at Glantane.

With the clock counting down, Kanturk’s challenge appeared to be flagging on trailing by a point. However a late goal from Grantas Buckinanas revived Kanturk and an insurance point from Lorcán McLoughlin secured a place in a semi-final against Bishopstown or Carrigaline.

It was a heartbreak ending for Fermoy, missing a couple of late chances and still not out of relegation trouble.

Early on Buckinanas and Gary O’Callaghan traded points. Kanturk proceeded to enjoy a spell of dominance, Alan and Ian Walsh together with Buckinanas on target for a 0-5 to 0-2 advantage.

Fermoy roared back with great enthusiasm and clearly upping their game yielded points from Tomás Clancy and Padraig de Róiste.

Fermoy were close to a goal, David Lardner denied by a timely block from Kanturk keeper Jordan Fullerton, Lardner availing of advantage to point the resultant free to tie up the contest 0-5 apiece at the interval.

On the restart, Fermoy took a first time lead, De Róiste on target. Kanturk answered in emphatic fashion, Brian O’Sullivan laid off for Paul Walsh to net in the 38th min. To their credit, Fermoy stemmed the flow, cancelling out the concession of the goal with three points in quick succession from O’Callaghan and Ben Twomey to regain the lead 0-9 to 1-5.

As the sides traded points to Arlen Aherne and Alan Walsh, Fermoy held the greater share of possession, passing up two glorious opportunities to add to their tally. That gave Kanturk a lifeline, Aidan Walsh delivered a smashing point to level matters for the fifth occasion.

Winning a number of turnovers, Kanturk grew in stature, a sweeping move saw Paul and Tommy Walsh combine for Buckinanas to drill home a goal in the last minute.

In the subsequent play, Fermoy pressure went unrewarded, now Kanturk held a confidence to finish on the ascendancy and a late Lorcán McLoughlin point proved the insurance score.

Topping the Group, Kanturk’s box seat position earns a meeting with Carrigaline or Bishopstown in the penultimate hurdle but first, the majority of their players must turn their attention to Blackrock in the Co-Op SuperStores Premier SHC quarter-final next Saturday in Fermoy.

Scorers for Kanturk: G Bucinskas 1-2, P Walsh 1-0, Alan Walsh 0-2, L O'Neill, I Walsh (f), Aidan Walsh, L McLoughlin 0-1 each.

Fermoy: D Lardner 0-2, (0-1 m, 0-1f), G O'Callaghan, P de Roiste 0-2 each, T Clancy, D Daly, B Twomey, A Aherne 0-1 each.

KANTURK: J Fullerton; J McLoughlin, R Walsh, B O’Sullivan; M Healy, R Walsh, L O’Neill; P Walsh, Aidan Walsh; AlanWalsh, C Clernon, L O’Keeffe; G Bucinskas, C Walsh, L McLoughlin. 

Sub: B Healy for L O’Keeffe (58).

FERMOY: L Coleman; S Shanahan, D O’Carroll, R O’Sullivan; P Murphy, T Clancy, A Creed; J O’Brien, S Ahene; J Molloy, P De Roiste, D Daly; B Twomey, G O’Callaghan, D Lardner.

Subs: M Brennan for J Molloy (38), D O’Flynn for J O’Brien (46 inj), A Aherne for D Daly (46).

Referee: Robert Whelan (Aghada).