Kinsale back with a vengeance

Kinsale 2-12 Cill na Martra 1-9

In junior ranks for decades, Kinsale took the step-up in style and lightning fast goals from centre-forward Padraig Buckley and wing forward Fergus O’Callaghan laid the foundations for their richly deserved success.

Kinsale’s start stunned Cill na Martra and although the winners were reduced to 14-men when corner back Lyndon Kiely was red-carded near the end they still had plenty in hand.

Following Kinsale’s initial burst, full-forward Richard Hoare brought Cill na Martra back into the game with two points in rapid succession but, with Richard O’Sullivan dazzling at midfield and Buckley, O’Callaghan and Kevin Cahill sparkling up front, Kinsale maintained control and led by 2-3 to 0-4 after the opening quarter.

With top-scorer Hoare kicking accurately from both play and frees, Cill na Martra reduced the deficit to four points but Kinsale hit another purple patch and a sequence of points stretched their lead to 2-7 to 0-6 at the break.

Kinsale continued to pile on the pressure after the resumption with two smart points without reply from Cahill. However, Cill na Martra had cause for hope in the 51st minute when their ace marksman Hoare finally pierced the superb Kinsale defence with a goal from close range. That left five points between them and when Kiely was sent off a minute later it looked as if Kinsale would have a fight on their hands.

But they held firm and killed off Cill na Martra’s challenge with another point from Cahill six minutes from time.

Scorers: Kinsale: P. Buckley 1-2; F. O’Callaghan 1-1; K. Cahill 0-4 (0-2 from frees); R. O’Sullivan 0-3; C. O’Brien 0-2 (0-1 from free). Cill na Martra scorers: R. Hoare 1-5 (0-3 from frees); B. Lynch, C. O’Leary, M. Connors and D. Buckley 0-1 each.

KINSALE: A. Lynch; C. Lane, M. O’Sullivan, L. Kiely; B. Murphy, M. O’Connell, M. Coughlan; D. Coughlan, R. O’Sullivan; F. O’Callaghan, P. Buckley, C. McCarthy; C. O’Brien, M. O’Leary, K. Cahill.

Substitutes: B. Gray for McCarthy; K. O’Regan for O’Leary; G. Murphy for Cahill.

CILL NA MARTRA: S. Hoare; B. Cooney, C. McSweeney, P. Connors; S. Kelleher, G. Dineen, B. Lynch; C. Vaughan, N. O’Leary; D. O’Leary, C. O’Leary, M. Connors; D. Buckley, R. Hoare, K. O’Sullivan.

Substitute: S. Lynch for P. Connors.

Referee: J. Kearney (Na Piarsaigh).