Aghabullogue double dream is on after cracking PIFC win over Naomh Abán

Aghabullogue 2-11 (2-2-7) Naomh Abán 0-15 (0-1-13) 

The big crowd at the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier IFC semi-final in the Castle Grounds, Macroom on Saturday were kept on the edge of their seats for the closing few minutes of this derby tie.

Aghabullogue were in front by two clear goals and the final 10 minutes left to play, but Naomh Abán came with a late flourish that yielded four unanswered points.

They had done really well to turn around the deficit, but they just couldn’t fashion the levelling scores.

To be fair though, it would have been hard on Aghabullogue who were never led, because their usual tenacity and will-to-win was evident from the throw-in with none other than inspirational captain John Corkery, who was a doubt due to injury, landing the opening point.

It was blow-for-blow until Luke Casey got in for the first of his two goals in the 11th minute. A soccer player of note, he squeezed his shot through a narrow gap, but there will surely be questions asked in Naomh Abán as to how it was conceded.

A two-pointer free from Maidhc Ó Duinnín and a point from Darragh Ó Laoire levelled the match, 1-2 to 0-5 at the end of the quarter.

The game swung from side to side until Casey found the net again on the stroke of half-time - the green flag was raised after a marvellous long delivery from the industrious Matthew Bradley.

Paul Ring picked up a yellow card for an off-the-ball incident prior to the goal as his side went to the dressing room 2-5 to 0-8 ahead.

Last season’s finalists Aghabullogue made their presence felt from the restart.

Aaron O’Sullivan and a trio of impressive Bradley points saw them take control, 2-9 to 0-9 midway through the half.

While Naomh Abán would outscore them six to two, Aghabullogue held on for a merited victory.

The introduction of Dhani Merrick raised team spirits as the clock went into overtime.

Another Mid Cork derby awaits in the final after Uibh Laoire defeated Aghada.

However, before that, the dual club will contest the Cork IAHC final next weekend against Bandon.

Scorers for Aghabullogue: L Casey 2-0, M Bradley 0-6 (1 2ptf, 0-1 f), E O’Sullivan 0-2 (1 2ptf), A O’Sullivan, J Corkery, P Ring 0-1 each.

Naomh Abán: E Ó Mír 0-4 (0-2 f), M Ó Duinnín 0-3 (0-1 f, 1 2ptf), D Ó Laoire, M Ó Liatháin 0-2 each, D Ó Ceocháin D Ó Ceallaigh, A Ó Luasa and C Ó Donnchú 0-1 each.

AGHABULLOGUE: J Buckley; T Long, C Smyth, P Dilworth; P Ring, S Tarrant, B O’Sullivan; C Gillespie, A Murphy; A O’Sullivan, J Corkery (Capt), P O’Sullivan; M Bradley, E O’Sullivan, L Casey.

Subs: C O’Sullivan for P O’Sullivan (55), O O’Connell for A O’Sullivan (57), D Merrick for J Corkery (60).

NAOMH ABÁN: M Ó Donnchú; S (Jim) Hendy, C Ó Déasunaigh, C de Róiste; J Ó Donnchú, D (Mickey) Ó Loingsigh (Capt), É Ó Criodáin; S Ó Riordáin, C Ó Donnchú; A Ó Luasa, M Ó Duinnín, D Ó Ceocháin; D Ó Ceallaigh, D Ó Laoire, E Ó Mír.

Subs: M Ó Liatháin for M Ó Duinnín (43), C de hÍde for É Ó Criodáin (45), N Ó Ceallaigh for D Ó Ceocháin (49), W MacCarthaigh for C Ó Dunnchú (55), M Ó Criod for C de Róiste (63).

Referee: Liam O’Shea (Carbery Rangers).