Dramatic finish sees Fermoy have close win over Naomh Aban in Cork PIFC opening game

Fermoy 0-20 (0-3-14)

Naomh Aban 1-16 (1-3-10)

There was a dramatic finish to this McCarthy Insurance Cork County Premier IFC round 1 game at Ballyclough on Saturday. 

Naomh Aban led for most of the hour and when ahead 1-16 to 0-13 after 55 minutes and they looked like certain winners. 

However, Fermoy with a late burst gained supremecy. 

They came close to two goals but were denied by Gearoid O'Luasa. 

Three two pointers and a point gave them victory in the end.

Naomh Aban had the aid of the stiff breeze in the first half. 

Fermoy had the opening score by Ben Twomey. Darragh Daly placed Shane Aherne for a fourth minute point. 

By the seventh minute, the sides were level when Ed Mir landed two points, one a fisted effort. 

A Ben Twomey free edged Fermoy ahead with Donal O'Ceallaigh replying in off the upright. 

In the 18th minute, Fionn Lardner with a free edged the Avondhu side ahead. 

Three minutes later impressive Darragh M O'Loingsigh and Shane O'Loingsigh worked well for Darragh O'Laoire, who kicked a two pointer edging the Muskerry side ahead. 

Fermoy were quick to level when Darragh Daly and Eoin Healy combined for Garry O'Callaghan, who tied the game up at 0-5 each. 

Naomh Aban had a great two pointer by Donal O'Ceallaigh. 

They pushed on using the short passing to good effect. 

Ed Mir kicked a two pointer free. 

Just before the break Fionn Lardner with a free closed the gap at the break 0-9 to 0-6.

On the resumption, Darragh O'Laoire added a point. 

Fermoy kept in touch with a point. 

Both sides exchanged points as the Ballyvourney side led 0-11 to 0-8. 

Good play by Marc O'Criod led to a Donal O'Ceallaigh point. 

Fermoy kept in touch. Points by Shane Aherne and Ben Twomey cut the lead 0-13 to 0-10. 

Fermoy had a great point by Martin Brennan entering the final quarter. 

Gearoid O'Luasa saved well from Shane Aherne. Martin Brennan had a second point after good play by Darragh Daly and Garry O'Callaghan. Naomh Aban introduced Concubhair O'Criodan, who did well. 

Caoimhin O'Donnchu had a point before Concubhair O'Criodain worked well for Ed Mir, who had a brilliant goal opening up a five point lead, 1-14 to 0-12. 

Ben Twomey (free) and Ed Mir exchanged a point each before Wayne McCarthy had Naomh Aban's last score in the 55th minute to leave it 1-16 to 0-13. 

It was a dramatic finish.

Fermoy made a master move in moving Ben Twomey to wing back and Martin Brennan up front. 

First, Fionn Lardner kicked a two pointer free and Ben Twomey landed another two pointer in the 6lst minute to leave it 1-16 to 0-17. 

Twomey had another two pointer from a difficult angle and the same player followed with a very late winning point as Fermoy secured victory.

After the game an excited Fermoy manager Michael Dolan was thrilled with the win. 

He felt the win meant everything to Fermoy, their first championship win in four years. 

"Hopefully, we have turned the corner after being relegated from the Division three Football League this year. 

"It is so important to get a result from your opening game. 

"The win takes a bit of the pressure off. 

"We have a strong side with just two U21 players Fionn Lardner and Brendan Daly in the team."

Scorers for Fermoy: B Twomey 0-10 (2 x 2ptr. 0-1f), D Lardner 0-4 (1 x 2ptf, 0-2f), S Aherne 0-2, M Brennan 0-2, G O'Callaghan 0-1, D Daly 0-1.

Naomh Aban: E Mir 1-6 (1 x 2ptrf), D O'Ceallaigh 0-4 (1 x 2pt), D O'Laoire 0-4 (1 x 2pt), C O'Donnchu 0-1, W MacCarthaigh 0-1.

FERMOY: D Dawson, J Molloy. L Aherne, P O'Neill, D O'Flynn, T Clancy, B Daly, P Murphy, J O'Brien, D Daly, G O'Callaghan, E Healy, B Twomey, S Aherne, D Lardner. Subs : M Brennan for D O'Flynn, F Lardner for B Daly.

NAOMH ABAN: G O'Luasa, E O'Criodain, C de Roiste, S Tinsley, C O'Laoire, S O'Riordan, D M O'Loingsigh, J O'Donnchu, C O'Donnchu, S O'Loingsigh, D O'Laoire, M O'Criod, D O'Ceallaigh E Mir, W McCarthy. Fir ionad C O'Criodain in ionad M O'Criod, J Hendry in ionad C O'Laoire.

Referee: Jerry Kelleher (St John's)