Dohenys down Cill na Martra to reach SAFC semi-final

Dohenys 2-14 Cill na Martra 0-14 

Dohenys will face Knocknagree in the last four of this year’s McCarthy Insurance Group senior A football championship after coming through the sternest Cill na Martra examinations.

Under Macroom’s Friday night lights, it was the West Cork club who emerged triumphant from a quarter-final in which Adam O’Donovan’s green flag and an unfortunate own goal proved crucial.

As a result, Dohenys have set up a repeat of last year’s meeting with Knocknagree, won 1-19 to 2-12 by the Carbery side. Declan O’Dwyer and his players will be eager to build on momentum gained from wins over Fermoy, West Cork neighbours O’Donovan Rossa and now Cill na Martra before contesting a second consecutive county semi-final.

Cill na Martra held a slender 0-3 to 0-2 lead after 10 evenly-fought opening minutes. Rhys Coakley and Fionn Herlihy scores were answered by Jason MacCárthaigh (free), Ciarán Ó Duinnín and Sean Ó Fóirréidh.

A scrappy spell followed with each side guilty of kicking three wides apiece before the closing stages of the opening half finally warmed up.

Rhys Coakley’s free levelled matters for a second time prior to Keith White making his presence felt. The Dohenys corner-forward kicked and fisted consecutive points to hand the West Cork team their first lead.

Then, a black card for Dohenys’ Barry O’Donovan handed their opponents an opportunity.

The Muskerry club was unable to capitalise on its numerical advantage however, as Rhys Coakley (free) and Keith White answered a Jason Mac Cárthaigh placed ball. Gearoid Ó Goillidhe fired over from distance but it was Dohenys who changed ends 0-7 to 0-5 ahead.

Fionn Herlihy fisted over the bar to start the second period before two Jason Mac Cárthaigh efforts put the bare minimum between the teams.

That was Adam O’Donovan’s cue to take the game by the scruff of the neck and find the top corner with a rasping drive.

1-8 to 0-7 behind, Cill na Martra’s Danny Ó Connaill had a goal attempt saved by Stephen Daly. The sides exchanged scores during a rip-roaring fourth quarter as Cill na Martra levelled matters, 0-12 to 1-9, thanks to Sean Ó Fóirréidh and Shane Ó Duinnín’s accuracy.

Then, in the 48th minute, an unfortunate own goal off a Cill na Martra defender edged Dohenys back in front. The West Cork club kicked for home with Keith White and Shane Barry amongst a flurry of late scores to send Dohenys through.

Scorers for Dohenys: K White 0-5, R Coakley (0-2 f), F Herlihy 0-3 each, A O’Donovan 1-0, OG 1-0, B Murphy, S Barry, C O’Shea, C Daly 0-1 each.

Cill na Martra: J MacCárthaigh (0-3 f), S Ó Fóirréidh 0-4 each, S Ó Duinnín 0-2, C Ó Duinnín, G Ó Goillidhe, D Ó Connaill, D Ó Duinnín 0-1 each.

DOHENYS: S Daly; D Rice, E Lavers, J Farrell; B O’Donovan, C Barry, C Daly; B Murphy, R Coakley; A O’Donovan, F Herlihy, S Barry; K White (ca), G Farr, M Buckley.

Subs: C O’Donovan for G Farr (44), C O’Shea for S Barry (54), D Collins for B Murphy (56), O McCarthy for M Buckley (60).

CILL NA MARTRA: M Ó Deasúna; D Mac Lochlainn, T Ó Corcora, F Ó Faoláin; D Ó Connaill, S Ó Fóirréidh, C Ó Fóirréidh; D Ó Duinnín, G Ó Goillidhe (c); F Ó hÉalaithe, C Ó Duinnín, J MacCárthaigh; M Ó Duinnín, A Ó hUidhir, S Ó Duinnín.

Subs: D Ó hUrdail for A Ó hUidhi (26), C Ó Cróinín for F Ó hÉalaithe (53).

Referee: Alan O’Connor (Ballygarvan).