John Corkery points Aghabullogue past Naomh Abán into another final
Aghabullogue's Evan O'Sullivan gathers possession from Naomh Abán's Conchúr Ó'Criodáin. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Under lights in Macroom's Tom Creedon Park, Aghabullogue and Naomh Abán slugged it out in an evenly-matched thriller with a a smashing point from John Corkery in the final minute sending last year's Intermediate A winners to another final.
Added time saw Naomh Abán go on the attack but they could not get into scoring range and eventually their final attack was broken down and Clonakilty referee Andrew Whelton blew the final whistle, deciding this gripping PIFC semi.
Aghabullogue had started the better, going into an early 0-2 lead with a pointed free from Matthew Bradley, who would eventually finish up with seven points, and a score from play by midfielder Colm Gillespie. But, in a pattern that would be repeated a number of times during the 60 minutes, Naomh Abán came back with scores from Maidhcí Ó Duinnín, a pointed free in the seventh minute to settle the Gaeltacht side and a fine score from play in the 15th minute to level proceedings.
Dara Ó Laoire, who put in a commanding performance on the 40 for the Gaeltacht Mhúscraí men, scored a fine point from play moments later after a good build-up but that was followed by scores from Bradley and Aaron O'Sullivan to put Aghabullogue 0-5 to 0-3 ahead.
Naomh Abán midfielder, Seán Ó Riordáin, put the ball over the bar to narrow the gap but Evan O'Sullivan responded with an Aghabullogue point. The final score of the half came from Ó Riordáin to leave the narrowest of gaps between the sides at the interval.
The second half was an even tighter affair but in the early minutes of the third quarter, Aghabullogue appeared to have the edge, pinning Naomh Abán into their own half. That dominance did not translate to the scoreboard until the 38th minute when Luke Casey scored.
The defensive units of both sides were putting in stern displays, breaking up the swift attacks of their opponents and going on the counter-attack swiftly.
It didn't appear that a green flag would be raised such was their solidity, until suddenly, Dara Ó Laoire popped up to send the ball to the net with a rasping shot from the edge of the square in the 43rd minute.
Suddenly the momentum was with Naomh Abán and a few minutes later they would add another score from the boot of Maidhcí Ó Duinnín. The Gaeltacht side were two points ahead and appeared to be in control.
That period didn't last long and Bradley scored two points to level proceedings at 1-6 to 0-9 with 10 minutes remaining. Daniel O'Ceallaigh gave the Gaeltacht side a momentary lead again on 54 minutes but that was quickly cancelled with another Bradley point.
With five minutes remaining, the result could have gone either way but Aghabullogue found that extra gear in that last few minutes and, eventually, the pressure told and John Corkery, the Aghabullogue skipper, put the ball over the bar to snatch what would be the winning point.
Naomh Abán didn't give up and continued to attack but they could never find the extra man in sufficient space to score an equaliser, such was the tenacity of their defence. Aghabullogue were deserving winners but such was the closeness of the encounter, the Gaeltacht side will rue missed chances and could very well have overcome the semi-final hurdle themselves.
M Bradley 0-7 (0-4 f), C Gillespie, A O'Sullivan, E O'Sullivan, J Corkery 0-1 each
D Ó Laoire 1-1, M Ó Duinnín 0-3 (0-2 f), S Ó Riordáin 0-2, D Ó Ceallaigh 0-1.
I O'Sullivanl C Smith, M Dennehy, P Dilworth; A O'Sullivan, T Long, B O'Sullivan; C Gillespie, D Merrick; P O'Sullivan, E O'Sullivan, J Corkery; M Bradley, A Murphy, L Casey.
K O'Sullivan for P O Sullivan.
G O Luasa; C De Roiste, C O Deasunaigh, É O Criodain; D O Loinsigh (c), C de hIde, J O Donnchu; C O Donnchu, S O Riordain; C O Criodain, D O Laoire, M O Criod; D O Ceallaigh, M O Duinnin, W MacCarthaigh.
C Ó Murchú for W. MacCarthaigh, S. Hendy for C. De hÍde, D Ó Ceocháin for S Ó Riordáin.
Andrew Whelton (Clonakilty)
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