Hero Honohan stands tallest as CSN claim thrilling derby spoils
Not even two-goal hero Eoin Forde could steal the spotlight from the talented Honohan, who scored all of CSN’s eight points and set up both goals for the wing-forward in a masterful show.
Why two city sides had to venture deep into Carbery country to play this Munster senior football championship game boggles the mind, but those present saw a game high in intensity, especially when Críost Rí came at the winners in the second half with all guns blazing.
With just four minutes of normal time remaining, a goal from Eric Kennedy and an equalising point from Greg Browne deservedly brought Críost Rí back to parity after a succession of missed chances, and they looked likely winners.
But Honohan again showed his mettle when needed. Twice he was fouled when menacing and twice he pointed the frees. Then, in nine minutes of injury time, he put Forde in for his second goal and Spioraid Naoimh were on their way to semi-final meeting with Tralee CBS.
In a good, competitive opening half, CSN got the better start and were never subsequently headed. Honohan fired his first point and after five minutes he showed both power and aggression in setting up Forde for his opening goal.
CSN were on a high. Michael Power was mighty at full-back. Ian Jones and Conor Luttrell were superb around him and, at midfield, Jamie O’Sullivan and Rory Fitzgibbon were top dogs. Críost Rí were in trouble, depending too much on the influential Eric Hegarty, but they did have their chances. Hegarty and Patrick Horgan should have done better before the former finally got them on the scoresheet in the 12th minute, as CSN led 1-2 to 0-1 after the opening quarter.
The contest was turning into a Honohan-Hegarty show now, scoring four points apiece in the opening half, but Forde’s goal separated the sides at the break, CSN leading 1-4 to 0-4.
When Honohan added his fifth point after the restart, the omens looked good for CSN, but Críost Rí came at them with a vengeance. Colin O’Sullivan was excellent at midfield now with new partner Ian Leahy, but in a five-minute spell in the third quarter they lost the game, missing a plethora of chances. Twice full-forward Ian Madden was denied goals, first by the eagle-eyed Jones and then by goalkeeper O’Shea.
Even when C ríost Rí got level late on, they had no-one with the quality and steel of Honohan to finish the job. The soccer international was top drawer, rising to the challenge magnificently to steer his side into the semi-final.
Scorers for CSN: P. Honohan 0-8 (0-5 frees), E. Forde 2-0.
Scorers for Críost Rí: E. Hegarty 0-5 (0-3 frees), E. Kennedy 1-0, G. Brown 0-2.
CSN: E. O’Shea; C. Luttrell, M. Power, M. O’Donovan; S. McCarthy J. Neville, I. Jones; R. Fitzgibbon, Jamie O’Sullivan; D. Lynch, R. Buie, E. Forde; James O’Sullivan, P. Honohan, B. O’Callaghan.
CRÍOST RÍ: D. Farry; S. Sheehan, C. Lucey, E. Kennedy; S. Martin, T. Hayes, B. O’Sullivan; E. Allen, C. O’Sullivan; I. Leahy, E. Hegarty, G. Browne; E. McCarthy, I. Madden, P. Horgan.
Sub: J. Holland for Allen (ht).
Referee: N. Barrett (Carrigtwohill).
