SFL: Division 1: Cill Na Martra

McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Football League Division 1
Cill na Martra 2-13 (2-2-9)
Douglas 1-17 (1-2-13)

With the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Football League Division 1 campaign for 2026 approaching the closing straight, Douglas edged out a closely fought affair against Cill na Martra on Sunday morning.

This second Douglas victory of the season could prove a crucial one in their hopes to avoid relegation.

Douglas had the decisive say in the final minute of normal time, with Sean O’Leary keeping his composure to evade the Cill na Martra defence and find the net in the final minute of normal time.

As the opening half of action commenced, it was Douglas that settled the quicker and looked determined in the opening stages.

Points from Shane Aherne, Brendan Powter and Kevin Shanahan helped to get the city side off the mark.

Cill na Martra responded courtesy of scores from Daniel Ó Duinnín and a placed ball from Michael Ó Deasúna.

But it was Douglas that continued to edge the early exchanges, with the talented Sean Coakley putting the visitors ahead 0-6 to 0-2 after 15 minutes.

However the home side ignited into life over the following quarter, with Ciarán Ó Foirréidh and Jason Mac Carthaigh both slotting over points.

That was before Cill na Martra found the back of the net on 23 minutes. Danny Ó Conaill raced forward before finishing impressively. Dean Mac Cárthaigh added to the home side tally on the stroke of half time, as Cill na Martra led at this juncture 1-6 to the 0-8 of Douglas.

Douglas got a much needed boost early in the second half as Coakley added to his individual tally. But Danny Ó Conaill then got his and Cill na Martra’s second goal of the game from a tight angle, to see the hosts lead 2-8 to 0-11 after 35 minutes.

Douglas were not going away and Luis Dwan Fogarty then landed a lovely two pointer to reduce the gap.

Both sides continued to trade blow for blow. In the final ten minutes, Seán O Foirréidh  slotted over an exquisite score, as Cill na Martra held a three point lead with just four minutes remaining of normal time.

However there was to be a late twist in the tale in the favour of Douglas. Conor Russell got on the scoreboard. But then O’Leary secured the Douglas win with a cool finish to the net.

Scorers for Cill na Martra: D Ó Conaill 2-1, J Mac Cárthaigh 0-5 ( 2 2ptf), S Ó Foirréidh 0-2, M Ó Deasúna (45), A Ó Cuana, C Ó Foirréidh, D Ó Duinnín, D Mac Cárthaigh 0-1 each.

Douglas: S Coakley 0-8 (1 2pt, 0-3f), S O’Leary 1-0, L Dwan Fogarty (1 2pt), C Russell 0-2 each, S Aherne, B Powter, K Shanahan, D Mac Pháidín, H Quilligan 0-1 each.

CILL NA MARTRA: M Ó Deasúna; M Ó Cathasaigh, F Ó Faoláin, A Ó Duinnín; D Ó Conaill, S Ó Foirréidh, C Ó Cróinín; A Ó Cuana, G Ó Goillidhe; C Ó Foirréidh, D Ó Duinnín, J Mac Cárthaigh; A Ó Loingsigh, D Mac Cárthaigh, S Ó Duinnín.

Subs: M Ó Duinnín for Ó Loingsigh (46), D Ó Buachalla for A Ó Duinnín (59).

DOUGLAS: A Cotter; N Walsh, C Kenny, D O’Callaghan; S Aherne, L Dwan Fogarty, C Mac Pháidín; C Kingston, K Shanahan; D Mac Pháidín, B Powter, H Quilligan; S Coakley, J Cunningham, S O’Leary.

Subs: D Ward for Walsh (40), N Hartnett for Shanahan, A O’Hare for Quilligan (both 45), C Russell for Cunningham (49).

Referee: Liam O’Shea (Carbery Rangers).