Super sub Liam O'Connor points Inniscarra to victory over Kilmacabea in County JAFC semi

Inniscarra: 2-9 

Kilmacabea: 1-9 

Inniscarra’s quest of a first County JAFC title remains alive following this brilliant victory over a fancied Kilmacabea side at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday afternoon.

Scarra only won the Muskerry JAFC this season for the first time since 1989 as they now meet Ballygarvan in the final.

Key in recording this semi-final victory was Inniscarra’s two goals inside the first quarter as well as super sub Liam O’Connor, who was outstanding when he was introduced after 38 minutes. 

The forward, who played an integral role for Muskerry this year, hit 0-4 (0-1 f, 0-1 m). It was a brilliant team performance though as they now have real momentum behind them.

The West Cork side got the first score through a Colin McCarthy free but following patient build up play, Inniscarra goaled after six minutes. The evergreen Dan O’Connell did superbly to win his duel with Darren Whooley and the forward made no mistake to finish to the net.

Kilmacabea’s response was two quick points through former Cork footballer Damien Gore and Colin McCarthy before they were rocked again after 11 minutes. Inniscarra wing-back Jack O’Dwyer was allowed run and run and he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net, 2-0 to 0-3.

The response was again very encouraging from the West Cork outfit, landing two successive white flags, courtesy of Eamon Shanahan and Gore. Inniscarra’s first point arrived after 20 minutes when O’Connell converted a mark.

The momentum was with the team in green and gold though at this juncture, who were doing all the attacking, but were struggling to break down Inniscarra’s resilient defence. They did draw level before the break, with Colin McCarthy slotting over two points, one coming from a free, 0-7 to 2-1 at half-time.

After a relatively quiet opening first half by his standards, Seán O’Donoghue got his first score of the game three minutes into the new half. A great point from a free followed by a long-range effort from the Cork hurler. The Muskerry side opening up a two-point gap. Shay Dineen pointed to give the winners breathing space. 

As the heavens opened, Inniscarra were adapting better to the greasy ball, but against the run of play, Kilmacabea got a much needed score after 43 minutes. It was a wonderful goal following a neat move involving Shanahan and Gore which resulted in Liam McCarthy finishing to the net. Their first score of the half, 1-7 to 2-4.

It was going to go down to the wire with the teams sharing the next four points, 2-6 to 1-9 with seven minutes remaining. A minute later, Kilmacabea were down to 14 players when Shanahan picked up a second yellow card.

O’Connor nudged his side in front with a free before Scarra had a man sent off after 57 minutes when Seán Sheehan was also shown a second yellow card. There would be no denying the Muskerry men though who landed the last two points. The outstanding O’Connor with both efforts, one which was a mark.

A gritty team performance from the team in blue and white. The decider is down for next Sunday. 

Scorers for Inniscarra: D O’Connell 1-1 (0-1 m), L O’Connor 0-4 (0-1 f, 0-1 m), J O’Dwyer 1-0, S O’Donoghue 0-2 (0-1 f), D O’Keeffe, S Dineen 0-1 each.

Kilmacabea: C McCarthy 0-5 (0-4 f), L McCarthy 1-0, D Gore 0-2, I Jennings, E Shanahan 0-1 each.

INNISCARRA: D Kelleher; D Keane, L Ryan, J O’Callaghan (c); D O’Keeffe, C Dineen, J O’Dwyer; S Sheehan, D Coughlan; F Horgan, S Dineen, S O’Donoghue; T Lyons, D O’Connell, D O’Sullivan.

Subs: L O’Connor for D O’Sullivan (38), M McLoughlin for D O’Keeffe (53), J O’Sullivan for J O’Callaghan (64).

KILMACABEA: K McCarthy; L Tobin, D Whooley, D Tobin; O Tobin, D O’Callaghan (c), R Hourihane; M Collins, I Jennings; D McCarthy, C McCarthy, J Collins; E Shanahan, D Gore, L McCarthy.

Subs: D O’Donovan for L Tobin (39), C Sweetnam for L McCarthy (56).

Referee: Cormac Dineen (Douglas).