Ballingeary in control

BÉAL Atha ‘n Ghaorthaidh withstood a ferocious second-half rally from Macroom for a deserved victory at Páirc Uí Chuana, Cill na Martra yesterday to progress to the next round of the Evening Echo Cork Co IFC and a mouth watering clash with Valley Rovers.

An inspirational display from captain, Peadar Ó Coinceannain, who was assisted by his nephew, Liam, in the centre of the field saw Beal Atha ‘n Ghaorthaidh chalk up an impressive 0-8 to 0-2 half-time lead. The advantage was due more to the dominance of a wholehearted and disciplined defence that gave nothing away rather than the effectiveness of an attack that was relying mainly on the free-taking of Liam Seartan and Andreas Ó Coinceannain.

The youthful Macroom team, featuring a number of players from the promising minor and U21 sides, was put at a huge disadvantage when injured Fintan Goold did not start the game, but his introduction 10 minutes in the second-half lifted spirits.

At that point his young brother, David, an outstanding minor, was already stamping his mark on the game as Macroom fought their way back.

They had serious problems up front — reflected by six wides in the opening 10 minutes of the second half — yet they had cut the arrears to just three points when Fintan Goold appeared on the field of play.

Fourteen minutes had elapsed before Beal Atha ‘n Ghaorthaidh had their first second-half point from an Aindreas Ó Coinceannain free. Garry Morris scored a quick point in reply and Fintan Goold drew the biggest cheer of the afternoon when he intercepted the pass by Peadar Ó Coinceannain and put the ball over the bar. With just a single point separating them Beal Atha ‘n Ghaorthaidh rallied again.

At the end of normal time Macroom had a golden opportunity to score an equaliser but Fintan Goold’s shot was inches wide and then a piercing run from Peadar Ó Coinceannain took the ball into the Macroom half where Aindreas Ó Coinceannain was on hand to score a point and seal victory.

Scorers: Beal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh: L. Seartan 0-5 (0-3 frees), A. Ó Coinceannain 0-5 (0-4 frees). Macroom: D. Goold 0-3 (frees), G. Morris 0-3 (frees), D. Deasey 0-1, F. Goold 0-1.

BEAL ATHA’N GHAORTHAIDH: S. Ó Coinceannain; C. Ó Loinsigh, A. Ó Loingsigh, F. O Loingsigh; N. Ó Tuama, D. MacCarthaigh, B. Ó Coinceannain; P. Ó Coinceannain, L. Ó Coinceannain; C. Ó Tuama, S. Ó Tuama, P. Ó Buachalla; L. Seartan, A. Ó Coinceannain, C. Ó Liathain.

Subs: E. Ó Coill for P. Ó Buachalla and S. Ó Duinnin for D. MacCarthaigh.

MACROOM: J. O’Connell; J. Angland, E. O’Mahoney, P. Lynch; R. Buckley, B. O’Donnell, M. Cahill; J. Goold, P. Corrigan; D. Deasey, I. Casey, S. Dunne; S. Kiely, G. Morris, D. Goold.

Sub: F. Goold for D. Deasey.

Referee: J. Dorgan (Nemo Rangers).