Cill na Martra hold off Clyda Rovers to grab SAFC semi spot

Cill na Martra 0-15 (0-4-7) Clyda Rovers 0-12 (0-2-8) 

A comfortable win for Cill na Martra over Clyda Rovers in the McCarthy Insurance Senior A football championship clash at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday.

In a game dominated by two-pointers, both sides will be disappointed with their scoring averages as there were only nine flags raised after 37 minutes, which epitomised the standard of the game. Still, the Muskerry men are straight through to the semi-finals, on the other side of the draw to rivals Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh.

The strong wind was in Cill na Martra’s advantage in the first half and after Cian O’Sullivan kicked Clyda in front in the third minute, the Muskerry outfit responded with consecutive Jason Mac Carthaigh two-pointers. As the half matured, Cill na Martra continued to dominate and Shane O Duinnin will be wondering how he managed to miss a golden goal opportunity in the 11th minute when his shot was blocked by Mike Forde.

The accurate kicking of the Gaeltacht side continued when they added another brace of two pointers from Mac Carthaigh and full forward Damien O hUrdail.

Another goal opportunity came the way of Cill na Martra in the 17th minute when a ball across the square was fisted by Gearoid O Goillidhe but the ball went inches wide of the left post. A minute late Clyda came close to raising a green flag when Eoin Walsh was allowed free on goal but his finish crashed off the post to safety.

Amazingly after their superb start, Cill na Martra didn’t score in the second quarter. Luckily for them, Clyda only added one white flag from the boot of Conor Corbett that ended a 21-minute drought for the North Cork side.

The first half was a poor spectacle with Cill na Martra commanding a 0-9 to 0-2 interval lead of which four were two pointers with three coming from the boot of Jason Mac Carthaigh. The standard of football didn’t improve in the second half with Cill na Martra always looking the likely winners.

Eoin Walsh split the posts midway through the half for a stunning Clyda two-pointer but they were always chasing this game.

Cork footballer Conor Corbett did nail a late two-pointer but it was sheer consolation as Cill na Martra booked their place in the semis without too much fuss.

Scorers for Cill na Martra: J Mac Carthaigh 0-7 (3 2pt, 0-1 f), D O hUirdall 0-5 (0-1 f), D O Conaill, C O Meachair, C Duinnin 0-1 each.

Clyda Rovers: C Corbett 0-4 (1 2pt, 0-2 f), C O’Sullivan 0-4, E Walsh 0-3 (1 2pt, 0-1 f), B Nyhan 0-1.

CILL NA MARTRA: M O Deasuna; D O Conaill, T O Corcora, F O Faolain; C O Meachair, S O Foirreidh, C O Forreidh; A O Cuana, G O Goillidhe; D O Duinnin, C O Duinnin, J MacCarthaigh; E O Conaill, D O hUrdail, S O Duinnin.

Subs: C O Foirreidh for E O Conaill (43), A O Duinnin for S O Duinnin (62).

CLYDA: K Coffey; A Walsh, G Deane, M Forde; A Kelly, D Cooney, C O’Sullivan; B Nyhan, D Walsh; K Graham, C Corbett, P O’Grady; C Walsh, E Walsh, P Kissane.

Subs: S Dennehy for K Coffey (38), D Buckley for D Cooney (40), S Kelly for P Kissane (inj 42), C Kelly for G Deane (42), C Buckley for D Cooney (46).

Referee: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven).