Early scores decisive as Naomh Abán edge past Bantry

A WHIRLWIND start, allied to the brilliance of Anthony Lynch and the immaculate place-kicking of Miceál Ó Croínín, laid the foundations for Naomh Abán’s exciting replay victory over Bantry Blues in the Evening Echo Cork County SFC at Inchigeela on Saturday.

Early scores from Donncha Ó Croínín, Miceál Ó Croínín and Daire Ó Súilleabháin opened up a four -point gap between the sides before Ó Súilleabháin, picking up a long clearance from Lynch, billowed the Bantry net in the 10th minute.

In fact Naomh Abán weren’t to score again for 37 minutes as Bantry began to pile on the pressure with their own attacking wares after a fisted point in the 16th minute from wing forward Donal McGrath.

Three points from Jeremy Canty (free), full-forward Damien O’Neill and Declan Barron (free) brought the Blues within range at half time when trailing 1-4 to 0-5. A third point from Barron seven minutes after the resumption edged Bantry to within a point of Naomh Abán.

Miceál Ó Croínín, with a point from a free in the 42nd minute, restored Naomh Abán’s lead to two, but a marvellous fetch and kick effort by Damien O’Neill left the bare minimum between them again entering the closing quarter.

As both sides strove for victory, Naomh Abán’s response to the challenge proved greatest and three points without reply, two from Miceál Ó Croínín, who converted a free and then landed one from play, powered Naomh Abán four points in front with five minutes of normal time remaining.

Courageously, however, Bantry hit back again and two points in rapid succession from second-half substitute Philip Clifford and Declan Barron, from a free, again threw the game back into the melting pot. But Miceál Ó Croínín, with a mighty point from a long-range free, sealed victory for Naomh Abán four minutes into injury time.

Scorers for Naomh Abán: D Ó Súilleabháin 1-2; M Ó Croínín 0-5 (0-2 from frees; 0-1 from 45); C Ó Luasa and D Ó Croínín 0-1 each.

Bantry Blues: D Barron 0-4 (0-4 from frees); D O’Neill 0-2; D McGrath, P Clifford and J Canty (free) 0-1 each.