Noel O'Leary relishing clash with Éire Óg after Cill na Martra edge Gaeltacht derby to progress to semis

In Ballyvourney on Saturday afternoon, Cill na Martra beat Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh in the eagerly anticipated Gaeltacht Muskerry derby and march on to the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Senior A Football Championship semi-final.

Cill na Martra were good value for their 1-16 to 0-12 win. They charged out of the blocks to build up a lead, before fending off a gallant Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh fightback in the second half.

The Cork 2010 All-Ireland football winner Noel O’Leary is part of the management ticket with Cill na Martra, who are just one hour away from making it to a second Cork SAFC decider in a row.

“The overriding thing is that we are delighted with the win and relieved as well. It is like all these local derbies: There is a lot on the line,” said O’Leary.

“We probably would have been disappointed with the midway patch there in the second half, where we lost our way a small bit.

“But when we needed lads to pull it out of the fire at the finish, there was a response there. They showed character. We were under the cosh and when we needed to win ball, our big guys stood up.”

When Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh produced a fightback during the second half, Cill na Martra goalkeeper Mícheál Ó Deasúna rose to the occasion. After slotting over a wonderfully taken free on 50 minutes, less than two minutes later, the Cill na Martra goalkeeper produced a majestic save to deny an attempt on goal from Diarmuid Ó Ceallacháin. 

“It was key,” said O’Leary of the contribution of the Cill na Martra goalkeeper.

The save really sticks out in my head. That had ‘goal’ written all over it.

“You need guys like that, who can do those things. Today was Mike’s day. It might be someone else’s the next day. So, we are glad that he did it for us today.”

Strong challenge

Next up for Cill na Martra is a semi-final meeting with Éire Óg. Cill na Martra are hungry to go one extra step forward, after losing the Cork SAFC final to Knocknagree last year. But they have to first overcome what should be a very stern challenge from the men from Ovens in the final four.

O’Leary is looking forward to what should be a big few weeks ahead for Cill na Martra.

“If is anyone’s championship really, if you look at the teams that are left. Every team has a shout in this.

“So I think it is whoever is best prepared and who can perform on the day, that is what it really comes down to.” O’Leary said.

“We’d have huge respect for Éire Óg, who are, in my eyes, probably are favourites to see this thing out. We are under no illusion with what we are facing there.

“Again, there will only be a kick of a ball in that. It is an easy thing to say, but it really will come down to who performs on the day.”