Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh and O’Donovan Rossa can't be separated after riveting SAFC clash

Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh 0-15 (0-0-15) O’Donovan Rossa 1-12 (1-0-12) 

It finished honours even between Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh and O’Donovan Rossa in Group 3 of the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork SAFC in Bantry on Sunday evening.

The importance of winning their opening championship game was heightened for the Ballingeary and Skibbereen clubs before a ball was thrown in at Wolf Tone Park. That’s because Bishopstown’s unexpected two-point defeat of Dohenys had already blown Group 3 wide open the evening before.

Yet, following an entertaining and evenly fought matchup, neither side could land a killer blow and had to settle for a share of the spoils. Diarmuid Mac Thomáis shone for Béal Átha’n, scoring seven of his side’s total while Elliot Connolly chipped in with a second-half 1-2 that looked set to earn Rossa’s victory.

Instead, a frantic closing period saw Béal Átha’n come from four points down to level via Donagh Seartan’s 63rd-minute equaliser.

Neither side emerged from the group stages of last year’s senior A county championship but it was Béal Átha’n who started positively with Diarmuid Mac Thomáis landing a first-minute free.

O’Donovan Rossa’s patient approach yielded a Kevin Davis (free) equaliser before Kevin Hurley blasted a goal opportunity wide. Mac Thomáis fired over the game’s first score from open play and Rory Byrne responded to level matters for a second time.

Amid a scrappy spell, Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh corner-forward Mac Thomáis continued to show his class by scoring his third and fourth points of the opening half. Goalkeeper Darren Ó Coill made it 0-5 to 0-2 via a converted 45 after 20 minutes.

Four wides hampered Rossa’s efforts during that period until a well-worked Ciarán Coombes effort left a goal in it. Conchúir Ó Loinsigh restored the Ballingeary club’s three-point advantage ahead of a high-octane end to the first period.

Kevin Davis (free) and Niall Daly white flags made it 0-6 to 0-5 but just as Skibbereen looked set to draw level, Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh hit them for two quickfire points. Patiently created Seán Ó Muimhneacháin and Mac Thomáis scores sent the Muskerry side in three ahead at the interval.

O’Donovan Rossa returned in determined mood with Luca Harte’s introduction adding impetus in the middle section.

The West Cork club levelled the score, 0-9 apiece, by the 37th minute thanks to Niall Daly, Rory Byrne and Kevin Davis’ accuracy. Seán Ó Luasa replied for their opponents.

A major turning point occurred shortly after when Elliot Connolly cut in along the byline and fired low into the net. Next, Connolly added a point to stretch Skibb’s lead, 1-10 to 0-9.

Creditably, Béal Átha’n struck back thanks to Seamus Ó Tuama, Diarmuid Ó Ceallacháin and Conor Ó Lionsigh efforts. Connolly and Mac Thomáis exchanged scores and it was 1-12 to 0-13 in Rossa’s favour once Thomás Hegarty fisted over as the clock hit 60 minutes.

Mac Thomáis replied once again from a close-in free after Rossa’s Frank Hurley had been black carded. Gaining possession from the ensuing kick-out, Béal Átha’n worked the ball to Donagh Seartan who split the posts to level for the final time.

Ryan Price had a late free that fell short and Diarmuid Mac Thomáis angled wide right at the end. Yet, a draw was the fairest result between two evenly matched teams.

Scorers for Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh: D Mac Thomáis 0-7 (0-3 f), C Ó Loinsigh 0-2, D Ó Coill (45), S Ó Muimhneacháin, S Ó Luasa, S Ó Tuama, D Ó Ceallacháin, D Seartan 0-1 each.

O’Donovan Rossa: E Connolly 1-2, K Davis (0-3 f), N Daly 0-3 each, R Byrne 0-2, K Hurley, T Hegarty 0-1 each.

BÉAL ÁTHA’N GHAORTHAIDH: D Ó Coill; S Ó Donnchú, B Ó hArgáin, E Ó Duinnín; D Seartan (c), C Ó Nuanáin, G Ó Laoire; D Ó Briain, C Ó Loinsigh; D Ó Ceallacháin, S Ó Luasa, N Ó Laoire; D Mac Thomáis, C Ó Duinnín, S Ó Muimhneacháin.

Subs: D Ó Ceallacháin for N Ó Laoire (43), S Ó Tuama for S Ó Luasa (46), P Ó Tuama for B Ó hArgáin (41, inj).

O’DONOVAN ROSSA: R Price; D Hourihan jnr, F Hurley, P O’Neill; O Lucey, K Hurley (c), C Coombes; R Byrne, D Daly; B Crowley, K Davis, N Daly; L Connolly, D Shannon, E Connolly.

Subs: L Harte for O Lucey (ht), T Hegarty for D Shannon (41).

Referee: Cormac Dineen (Douglas).