Johnny Galvin leads Éire Óg comeback to Muskerry U21 title against Naomh Abán

Éire Óg: 0-16 (0-1-14) 

Naomh Abán: 2-9 (2-0-9) 

Éire Óg secured the Macroom Motors Muskerry U21 A football championship title after a great battle with Naomh Abán on Wednesday night.

A large crowd flocked to Cloughduv for this decider, with Éire Óg coming out on top to win this crown for the first time since 2021.

They recovered from a slow start and came through it by a point, which was a great feat considering they were without Darragh Clifford due to injury.

They did grow into it after a sluggish opening, but, in saying that, they trailed by four points going into the last quarter.

Liam Sheehan’s side, though, had the bench strength and the quality to prevail, led by Johnny Galvin, who hit 0-8.

Naomh Abán were without their star man, Ed Ó Mír, due to a hamstring injury, as their wait for a first crown at this level since 1995 goes on.

Éire Óg will face Douglas in the county quarter-final.

It took 11 minutes for the first score, when Fionnán Ó Briain pointed for Naomh Abán after a Sam Tinsley pass.

Naomh Abán added two further points, with Lúc Ó Liatháin and Jack Ó Donnchú on target.

Éire Óg waited 18 minutes to register a score, but it was well worth the wait when Colm Clifford raised a white flag following neat play, followed 40 seconds later by an Ethan Hyde effort.

The sides traded points in a cagey and error-strewn opening 30 minutes but, in a half where Éire Óg were second best on the scoreboard for a good chunk, a pair of Johnny Galvin frees gave his team a 0-5 to 0-4 half-time advantage.

The game needed a jolt and Naomh Abán provided it, hitting 1-2 without reply, with Aaron Ó Laighín accounting for all the scores.

His goal was smartly taken after he pounced on a mistake four minutes into the new half.

The teams traded points and then Seán Hurley left a goal in it at 1-7 to 0-7 after 40 minutes.

The next four white flags were evenly shared before a pair of Galvin points left just one in it with four minutes remaining, 1-9 to 0-11.

Éire Óg levelled through that man Galvin as they finished with a flourish. Seán Murphy and a Seán Hurley two-pointer pushed the Ovens outfit three clear.

Seán Murphy kicked another point, which proved to be the insurance score.

Naomh Abán did net a consolation goal right at the end through Breandán Ó Ceallacháin, with the final whistle sounding seconds later.

Éire Óg are back on top in Muskerry after five years.

Scorers for Éire Óg: J Galvin 0-8 (0-3 f), S Hurley 0-3 (1 2pt), C Clifford, S Murphy 0-2 each, E Hyde 0-1.

Naomh Abán: A Ó Laighín 1-2 (0-1 f), B Ó Ceallacháin 1-0, P Ó Ceallaigh, L Ó Liatháin 0-2 each, J Ó Donnchú, S Ó Loingsigh, F Ó Briain 0-1 each.

ÉIRE ÓG: C Sheehan; Cillian Murphy, S O’Callaghan, C Malone; O McLaughlin, M Sheehan, C Clifford; K Beechinor, E Hogan; J McCarthy, J Galvin (c), S Murphy; S Hurley, E Hyde, D Healy.

Subs: C O’Flynn for O McLaughlin, R Coakley for J McCarthy (both 41), D Sheehan for C Malone (45), Cathal Murphy for D Healy (48), J Healy for E Hyde (65).

NAOMH ABÁN: E Ó Luasa; S Ó Droma, T Ó Ceallaigh, J Mac Suibhne; P Ó Ceallaigh, S Tinsley, L Ó Liatháin; L Ó Murchú, J Ó Donnchú (c); É Ó Laighín, S Ó Loingsigh, A Ó Laighín; B Ó Ceallacháin, A Ó Cathasaigh, F Ó Briain.

Subs: J MacCárthaigh for E Ó Laighín (47), D Ó Loingsigh for J Ó Donnchú (52, inj), D Ó Luanaigh for A Ó Cathasaigh (61).

Referee: Peter Cotter (Gleann na Laoi).