Lynch and Ó Cróinín inspire Naomh Abán

Naomh Aban (Cork) 1-6 Gweedore (Donegal) 0-8

It was an extremely hard earned victory given that the Cork side were involved in two periods of extra-time in their quarter-final tie with An Gaeltacht (Kerry) and a bruising semi-final against the host club the previous day which they won by a point.

Naomh Aban's victory is all the more meritorious given that they didn't play Lynch and Ó Cróinín in their earlier games due to Cork's Munster semi-final against Clare next Sunday, and lost the services of Jonathan McCarthy (injury) and Jack Lynch (straight red card).

However, dire situations call for drastic action and both played major rolls. Lynch created the goal for his side when he took off on a mazy run only to see his shot cannon off the underside of the crossbar, but the alert Dara Ó Suilleabhain was on hand to drive home the rebound.

The first-half developed into a free-taking contest between Shane Ó Duibhir (Gweedore) and Naomh Aban's Dara Ó Suilleabhain, with the Donegal man pointing four and the Cork man scoring from three. The game suffered without the inter-county players Gweedore played without Kevin Cassidy and with both teams obsessed with the short passing game, is resulted in a lot of physical contact and a couple of players on both teams can could themselves a little fortunate to have finished the match.

There wasn't a hint of a score from play as both defences stood firm, but with Mairtin Ó Colla and Ruairi MacNiallais dominant at midfield, the visitors finished the half strongly to lead 0-4 to 0-3.

The arrival of Lynch and Ó Cróinín early in the second-half helped to lift the game considerably and after they drew level in the 40th minute, the first score from play arrived four minutes later when Mairtin Ó Colla pointed to restore Gweedore's advantage.

Clearly working to a pattern, Naomh Aban began to channel every ball up to Ó Cróinín and he responded superbly when he fisted the equaliser after a great run. Two minutes later Lynch took off on that great run, but his kick came back off the crossbar to Dara Ó Suilleabhan who scored the games's only goal, and the Cork side were in the driving seat.

Urged on by the home support, Naomh Aban swarmed all over the Gweedore defence and Donncha Croinin's point looked to be the insurance score. However, the Donegal side were not quite ready to give up their title, and they forced the West Cork followers to live on their nerves as they pinned Naomh in their own half for the remaining minutes.

Amid the incredible tension, Sean O Gallaghoir pointed a free, Shane O Duibhir and Stiofan O Coiseide missed a goal chance each which would have kept the title in Donegal for another season, and a very tired Naomh Aban side were grateful to hear the final whistle which eventually came after three minutes of injury time.

Scorers Naomh Aban: D. O Suilleabhain 1-3 (0-3 frees); M. O Croinin, D. O Croinin 0-1 each.

Gweedore: S. O Duibhir 0-5 (0-4 frees); S. O Gallaghoir 0-2 (frees); M. O Colla 0-1.

NAOMH ABAN: D. O Croinin; S. O hIarlaithe, T. O Scannaill, P. O Duinin; A. O Tuama, P. O hIarlaithe, D. O Liathain; C. O Luasa, G. O Loinsigh; S. O Cuill, C. O Tuama, D. O Croinin; C. O Loinsigh, D. O Suilleabhain, G. Og O Laoinsigh. Fir Ionaid: A. O Loinsigh for O Cuill; M. O Croinin for C. O Loinsigh.

GWEEDORE: A O Dubha; S. O Gallagoir, D. MacGiolla Bhreide. C. O Conainn; P. MacGiolla Bhreide, N. McGee, S. O Dubhaigh; M. O Colla, R. MacNiallais; B. McGee, R. MacCumhaill, T. O Duibhir; S. O Duibhir, S. O Coiseide, P. MacGabhbeith.

Referee, M. Collins (Clonakilty)