Naomh Abán through to PIFC knockout phase after strong finish against Glanmire
Jack Ó Donnchu of Naomh Abán battles in the air with Glanmire's Tiernan Hourihan during their Premier IFC clash at Coachford. Picture: David Keane.
Naomh Abán finished strong to book their place in the knockout stages of the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier IFC as they defeated Glanmire in Coachford on Sunday evening.
A coolly converted penalty by Dónal Ó Ceallaigh when the teams were level with seven minutes remaining proved to be decisive as Naomh Abán made it two wins out of two in Group 2.
Both sides were victorious in their opening fixture just over three weeks ago, Glanmire defeating Bandon while Naomh Abán overcame Rockchapel.
Bandon and Rockchapel’s 1-12 apiece draw on Saturday meant that these two sides remained joint top of the standings – although Naomh Abán claimed first place on scoring difference – heading into this fixture, giving the winners a chance to seal their place in the knockout rounds.
Glanmire were dealt a blow shortly before throw-in as Ronan McSweeney was forced to withdraw after injuring his ankle in the warm-up.
Despite opening the scoring with a Daniel Molden free, the late change soon took its toll as Naomh Abán scored five points without reply by the end of the first quarter, the pick of the scores coming from Darragh Ó Laoire and Dónal Ó Ceallaigh.
But Glanmire hit back impressively early in the second quarter as they levelled terms by the 24th minute, with Molden’s two-point free helping to swing momentum in their favour.
The two teams soon swapped points before an Ed Ó Mír free – he took over responsibility for dead-ball situations after Maidhc Ó Duinnín withdrew with a knock – edged Naomh Abán into a 0-7 to 0-6 lead at the break.
Glanmire, who also picked up three yellow cards in the first period, started the second with 14 men after substitute Harry Jones was shown a black card before the interval.
But they dug deep and shortly after his sin bin had ended, it was Jones who kicked them in front with 19 minutes remaining, 0-8 to 0-7.
But that would be Glanmire’s last score of the evening as Naomh Abán rallied and after Dónal Ó Ceallaigh levelled the scores once again, he soon won and then slotted a crucial penalty into the far bottom left corner of the net.
Glanmire, who effectively finished the game with 14 men as Darren Kenneally was also shown a black card for conceding the penalty, battled until the end.
But all they could muster was a couple of two-point efforts that drifted wide before Dara Mickey and Ed Ó Mír sealed Naomh Abán’s place in the last six with superb strikes from open play late on.
D Ó Ceallaigh 1-2 (1-0 pen), E Ó Mir 0-3, M Ó Duinnín 0-2 f, J Ó Donnchú, D Ó Laoire, D Ó Loinsigh 0-1 each.
D Molden 0-4 (1 2pt f, 2f), C Crowley, C McCarthy, H Jones, L Hackett 0-1 each.
E Ó Luasa; S Ó Mathúna, C Ó Déasúnaigh, C de Róiste; J Ó Donnchú, D Ó Lionsigh, É Ó Criodáin; S Ó Riordáin, C Ó Donnchú; M Ó Criod, M Ó Duinnín, W MacCarthaigh; D Ó Ceallaigh, D Ó Laoire, E Ó Mír.
D Ó hAllmháin for M Ó Duinnín (24), N Ó Ceallaigh for W MacCarthaigh (46), D Ó Ceocháin for S Ó Riordáin (58).
B O’Connell; C Nelligan, C O’Donovan, O Kelleher; B Murphy, D Kenneally. D Murray; C Crowley, T Hourihan; D Hogan, D Lynch, B Galvin; C McCarthy, D Molden, J Crowley.
H Jones for D Lynch (12), L Hackett for J Crowley (h-t), R McCarthy for B Galvin (46), A Marron for C Nelligan (52), K Kenneally for B Murphy (56).
John Enright (Ballyteague).
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