Cill na Martra 2-15 Béal Átha ‘n Ghaorthaidh 2-14 Cill na Martra survived a stern test of their credentials to eventually see off Béal Átha ‘n Ghaorthaidh and book their place in the knockout stages of the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork SAFC in a resplendent Baile Bhuirne on Sunday afternoon. The win, coupled with Carrigaline’s victory over Kiskeam, means that those two teams have now qualified from Group 1 while Béal Átha and Kiskeam must face off to try and stave off the threat of relegation. A powerful third quarter seemed to have put Cill na Martra in total control as they led by 2-12 to 0-11.
However, Ben Seartan had other ideas. The inside forward was outstanding all through, kicking eight points, six of which came from play. He kicked two beauties to narrow the gap before Seán Ó Luasa turned the game on its head.
He was on the end of a fine move involving Donagh Seartan and Colmán Ó Tuama to rattle the Cill na Martra net, and to give his supporters hope. Dan Ó Duinnín responded with a point immediately, but soon Micheál Ó Desúna was picking the ball out of his net again. This time Diarmuid Mac Tomáis and Ben Seartan combined to put Séamus Ó Tuama through.
He finished to the net brilliantly, and the sides were level for the first time since the 15th minute, 2-13 each. Cill na Martra dug deep, however, and a Damien Ó hUrdail free and a beauty from Maidhcí Ó Duinnín put them two clear with two to go. Nollaig Ó Laoire brought it back to one, but Béal Átha just couldn’t work the opportunity the needed.
The opening quarter was a typical cat and mouse affair that goes with the territory of such a rivalry. There were big hits, oodles of cantankerousness and nothing between them. They were level three times with Danny Ó Conaill, Jason Mac Cárthaigh and Dan Ó Duinnín on target for Cilln a Martra while Ben Seartan, Seán Ó Muineacháin and a Diarmuid Mac Tomáis replied in kind for Béal Átha.
Dan Ó Duinnín was on his game though - he ran the show in the opening half – and a trademark burst from him after being put through by Gearóid Ó Goillidhe cut through the Béal Átha rearguard before he squared for Shane Ó Duinnín who finished smartly to the net. A free from Micheál Ó Deasúna followed, and Cill na Martra were in control with 10 to go to half time. Two scores from Ben Seartan then sandwiched a fine effort from his brother, Donagh, as Béal Átha showed they had no intention of going away.
Still, two more points from Dan Ó Duinnín and one each from Shane Ó Duinnín and Arran Ó hUidhir out did Mac Tomáis’s second to give Cill na Martra a 1-8 to 0-7 half time lead. Béal Átha took the game to Cill na Martra on the resumption. Ó hUrdail extended their lead, but two from Seartan and one from Matt Ó Riordáin left just two between them.
Cill na Martra then struck for what seemed like it would be a fatal blow. Mac Cárthaigh kicked a point and then won the resultant kickout before feeding Shane Ó Duinnín who cracked home a goal of real quality. Ben Seartan – who else – responded, but consecutive scores from Shane Ó Duinnín and Seán Fóirréidh put Cill na Martra 2-12 to 0-11 to the good.
Then came the Béal Átha spurt, but when it mattered Cilln a Martra got the scores they needed. Scorers for Cilln a Martra : S Ó Duinnín (2-2, 0-1 mark), D Ó Duinnín (0-4), J Mac Cárthaigh (0-1 free) and D Ó hUrdail (0-1 free) (0-2 each), 0-1 free, M Ó Deasúna (free), A Ó hUidhir, D Ó Conaill, S Ó Fóirréidh and M Ó Duinnín (free) 0-1 each) Scorers for Béal Átha ‘n Ghaorthaidh : B Seartan (0-8, 0-2 frees), S Ó Luasa and S Ó Tuama (1-0 each), D Mac Tomáis (0-2, 0-1 mark), M Ó Riordáin, N Ó Laoire, D Seartan and S Ó Muineacháin (0-1 each). CILL NA MARTRA : M Ó Deasúna; D Mac Lochlainn, T Ó Corcora, F Ó Faoláin; D Ó Conaill, S Ó Fóirréidh, C Ó Fóirréidh; C Ó Duinnín, G Ó Goillidhe (c); J Mac Cárthaigh, D Ó hUrdail, A Ó hUidhir; D Ó Duinnín, M Ó Duinnín, S Ó Duinnín.
Subs: F Ó h-Éalaithe for Ó Goillidhe (blood, 17-24), E Ó Conaill for Ó hUidhir (49), F Ó Faoláin for Ó Goillidhe (53), D Mac Cárthaigh for S Ó Duinnín (inj, 62). BÉAL ÁTHA ‘N GHAORTHAIDH: D Ó Coill; C Ó Duinnín, B Ó hÁrgáin, J Ó Donnchú; D Ó Briain, É Ó Duinnín, D Ó Ceallacháin; S Ó Luasa, S Ó Tuama; L Ó Criodáin, D Seartan, S Ó Muineacháin; C Ó Loingsigh, D Mac Tomáis, B Seartan. Subs: N Ó Laoire for Ó Ceallacháin (h/t), M Ó Riordáin for Ó Críodáin (33), G Ó Laoire for Ó Donnchú (43), C Ó Tuama for É Ó Duinnín (48), L Seartan for Ó Muineacháin (55).
Referee : Brian Coniry (Crosshaven). A collection of the latest sports news, reports and analysis from Cork..
