Micheál Ó Deasúna excels as sweeper keeper for Cill na Martra but Jack Cahalane helps Castlehaven secure draw

Cill na Martra (0-3-11) 0-17 Castlehaven  (1-2-10) 1-14 

Cill na Martra and Castlehaven could not be separated following an entertaining contest in the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Football League Division 1 on Saturday evening.

The Muskerry side led for large portions of the contest and showed why they are tough opponents for anyone on home turf, with Micheál Ó Deasúna showing red-hot scoring accuracy in a sweeper-keeper role.

Former Cork Senior Footballer Mark Collins showed all of his class, with his penalty midway through the second half proving crucial to his side coming away with the draw.

Castlehaven settled into an early attacking groove, with Cathal Maguire kicking a fine point for the opening score. Collins then got a lovely effort to put Castlehaven 0-5 to 0-0 ahead with eight minutes played.

Cill na Martra then found their rhythm and grew into what was to become a compelling duel. Ó Deasúna has been their go-to man for orange flags and landed over a series of fine scores in the opening half.

Shane Ó Duinnín also slotted over for the hosts, who led 0-7 to 0-6 after 26 minutes.

Castlehaven responded well and got back level through Jamie Walsh. But Cill Na Martra went in 0-9 to 0-7 ahead at the break, with Ó Duinnín and Sean Ó Fóirréidh splitting the posts.

Morgan O’Sullivan’s Cill na Martra side came charging out early in the second half. Ó Deasúna added to his impressive tally, with further scores from Daniel Ó Duinnín and Eoin Ó Conaill seeing the home side ahead 0-13 to 0-7 on 40 minutes.

Castlehaven found a second wind of momentum, with Jack Cahalane showcasing his impressive talent when introduced into the action.

Midway through the second half the visitors were awarded a penalty when Maguire was taken down.

Up stepped Mark Collins and he blasted the ball home impressively to the roof of the net, before the same man pointed to see the sides level 0-13 to 1-10 after 48 minutes.

This front-footed battle saw Cill na Martra charge back ahead as Ó Deasúna and Shane Ó Duinnín added to their scoring tally. But Castlehaven were to have the final say, with points from Maguire and Jack Cahalane helping to ensure this clash ended in a draw.

Scorers for Cill na Martra: M Ó Deasúna 0-9 (2 2pt f, 1 2pt, 0-2 f, 0-1 45), S Ó Duinnín 0-4 (0-2 f), S Ó Fóirréidh 0-2, E Ó Conaill, D Ó Duinnín 0-1 each.

Castlehaven: M Collins 1-4 (1-0 pen, 1 2pt f, 0-2 f), C Maguire 0-4 (1 2pt f), J Cahalane 0-2, J Walsh, S Browne, C Nolan, M Hurley 0-1 each.

Cill NA MARTRA: M Ó Deasúna; C Ó Cróinín, M Ó Cathasaigh, F Ó Faoláin; D Ó Conaill, S Ó Fóirréidh, C Ó Fóirréidh; A Ó Duinnín, G Ó Goillidhe; A Ó hUidhir, D Ó Duinnín, J Ó Loingsigh; E Ó Conaill, A Ó Loingsigh, S Ó Duinnín.

Subs: D Mac Cárthaigh for D Ó Duinnín (17-23, temp), D Ó Buachalla for Ó Conaill, Mac Cárthaigh for Ó Loingsigh (both 55) 

CASTLEHAVEN:D Cahalane; J O’Regan, J Bohane, D O’Callaghan; S Walsh, J Walsh, W O'Donovan; M Collins, J O’Neill; S Browne, R Minihane, C Nolan; C Maguire, K O’Donovan, M Hurley.

Subs: A Whelton for W O’Donovan, J Cahalane for K O’Donovan (both h-t), J O’Driscoll for O’Callaghan (37), K O’Donovan for Hurley (47).

Referee: John Ryan(Macroom).