Kiskeam finish strongly to grab PIFC semi-final spot from Macroom

Kiskeam 1-14 (1-2-10) Macroom 1-12 (1-2-8)

A superb second-half secured Kiskeam’s place in the semi-final of the McCarthy Insurance Premier IFC after their win over Macroom at Kanturk on Saturday evening.

The first half was a poor affair and at the break it was Macroom who were in the driving seat as they led by 0-7 to 1-1.

Four minutes into the second half and that lead became 1-9 to 1-1 and it looked all over for Kiskeam.

But they never panicked and with the likes of Gene Casey and Eoghan Daly leading by example they started to reel Macroom in and by the 50th minute that lead was down to two.

They finished the stronger of the two sides as they hit five without reply to advance to the semi. Macroom aren't gone though, they're into the quarter-final and paired with Mid Cork rivals Ballinora.

Macaulay Cronin opened the scoring for Kiskeam in the first minute, but it took until the eighth for the second score to arrive.

But before Pa Lucey got Macroom off the mark from a free to level it, he had a goal chance with his effort well blocked by Eolan O’Leary.

Both sides were guilty of poor shooting, before Kiskeam had their first goal chance of the half. A long ball in from a sideline by Adrian Carroll was caught by Kieran O’Connor, but somehow Ryan Sabas managed to dispossess him and clear the danger.

With 24 minutes gone Macroom went in front when Sean Kiely set up O’Leary to score, but their lead didn’t last long.

Straight from the restart Daire Murphy set up Shane O’Riordan to goal, to make it 1-1 to 0-2.

Macroom took over for the rest of the half, with four points from Alan Quinn, one a two-pointer, helping them to a 0-7 to 1-1 half-time lead.

A goal from Dylan Twomey, between points from Mark Corrigan and Quinn made it 1-9 to 1-1 and it looked all over for Kiskeam.

But they started to rally with Sean O’Sullivan and O’Riordan pointing.

With 40 minutes gone Adrian Carroll hit a two-pointer, quickly followed by points from O’Sullivan and Mike Casey, to make it 1-10 to 1-7.

A two-pointer from O’Sullivan had one between the sides, before an orange flag from O’Connor stretched Macroom’s lead to three.

But that proved to be their last score, with three points from Cronin, along with scores from Maurice Casey and O’Sullivan sealing the win for Kiskeam.

Scorers for Kiskeam: S O’Riordan 1-1, S O’Sullivan 0-5 (0-1 f, 1 2pt), M Cronin 0-4, A Carroll 0-2 (1 2pt), Mike Casey, Maurice Casey 0-1 each.

Macroom: D Twomey 1-0, A Quinn 0-7 (2 2pt), P Lucey (f), E O’Leary, D Horgan, T Dineen, M Corrigan 0-1 each.

KISKEAM: B Daly; J Daly, J O’Connor, M Casey; D Murphy, E Daly, K O’Connor; S Meehan, G Casey; A Carroll, AJ O’Connor, P O’Callaghan; S O’Sullivan, M Cronin, S O’Riordan.

Subs: D Scannell for S O’Riordan (39), M Collins for G Casey (47), Maurice Casey for D Murphy (50), A Dennehy for AJ O’Connor (52).

MACROOM: D Kiely; J Murphy, R Buckley, R Sabas; M Cronin, M Corrigan, A Quinn; T Dineen, C Dineen; D Creedon, D Horgan, E O’Leary; P Lucey, S Kiely, O O’Sullivan.

Subs: D Twomey for P Lucey (19 inj), M Condon for D Creedon (37 inj).

Referee: Aidan Hyland, Kilworth.