Cill na Martra into Senior A semi-final after Gaeltacht derby with Beál Átha'n Ghaorthaidh

Cill na Martra 1-16 (1-1-14) Beal Àtha’n Ghaorthaidh 0-12 (0-1-10) 

Cill na Martra are one step closer to McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Senior A Football Championship glory after defeating their very familiar foes Beal Àtha’n Ghaorthaidh in this derby at Ballyvourney on Saturday afternoon.

Despite the pre-match excitement, the opening half was largely controlled by Cill na Martra, who held a 0-8 to 0-3 advantage at the break. They held that lead until the end, setting up a semi-final with Éire Óg.

A lovely taken point by Antóin Ó Cuana opened the scoring with Tadhg Ó Corcora slotting over following a slick passing move. Cill na Martra continued to build on that early momemtum when Shane Ó Duinnín got on the scoreboard, with his side leading 0-5 to no score.

Beal Àtha’n Ghaorthaidh got a badly-needed point through Séamas Ó Tuama to open their account with Conchúir Ó Loingsigh spitting the posts shortly after.

Cill na Martra responded with a lovely skillful run towards goal from Pádraig Ó h-Éalaithe resulting in a well-taken point.

Early second-half points from Cill na Martra saw them extend their lead out to 0-11 to 0-3 on 35 minutes, including a fine effort from Cormac Ó Cróinín.

Beal Àtha’n Ghaorthaidh finally kicked into gear, with four consecutive scores reducing the deficit down to 0-11 to 0-8 on 47 minutes. Lúc Mac Thomáis, Conchúir Ó Loingsigh and a lovely free from goalkeeper Darren Ó Coill coming during this fruitful spell for Liam Shorten’s side.

Heading into the final 10 minutes, Micheál Ó Deasúna landed over a lovely two-point free. Moments later, the Cill na Martra shot-stopper was called into action to produce a terrific save to deny an attempt on goal from Diarmuid Ó Ceallacháin, and the rebound for good measure.

Although the keenly contested affair many had been anticipating eventually bubbled to the surface, Cill na Martra managed to keep calm in the chaos as second-half stoppage time edged ever closer.

Shane Ó Duinnín found the back of the net from a late free to rubberstamp Cill na Martra’s place in the final four.

Scorers for Cill na Martra: S Ó Duinnín 1-4 (1-3 f), M Ó Deasúna (1 2ptf), A Ó Cuana 0-2 each, C Ó Cróinín, S Ó Fóirréidh, C Ó Fóirréidh, C Ó Duinnín, P Ó hÉalaithe, D Mac Lochlainn, T Ó Corcora, D Ó hUrdail 0-1 each.

Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh: L Mac Thomáis 0-3 (0-1 f), D Ó Coill (1 2ptf), D Seartan, C Ó Loingsigh 0-2 each, D Ó Briain, S Ó Tuama, É Ó Céilleachair 0-1 each.

CILL NA MARTRA: M Ó Deasúna; J Ó Loingsigh, T Ó Corcora , D Mac Lochlainn; P Ó h-Éalaithe, D Ó Conaill, S Ó Fóirréidh; A Ó Cuana, G Ó Goillidhe; C Ó Cróinín, S Ó Céilleachair, E Ó Conaill; D Ó Duinnín, S Ó Duinnín, C Ó Duinnín.

Subs: C Ó Fóirréidh for Ó Céilleachair, D Ó hUrdail for Ó Conaill (both h-t), A Ó Duinnín for Ó Cróinín (58), F Ó Faoláin for Mac Lochlainn (62).

BÉAL ÁTHA’N GHAORTHAIDH: D Ó Coill; S Ó Donnchu, É Ó Duinnín, C Ó Nuanáin; C Ó Duinnín, B Ó hArgáin, G Ó Laoire; Diarmuid Ó Ceallacháin, D Ó Briain; Daire Ó Ceallacháin, D Seartan, N Ó Laoire; C Ó Loingsigh, S Ó Tuama, S Ó Muimhneacháin.

Subs: É Ó Céilleachair for Ó Laoire (36), L Mac Thomáis for Ó Muimhneacháin (39), C Ó Tuama for Daire Ó Ceallacháin (49, inj), B Seartan for Ó Donnchu (59).

Referee: Pa O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers).