Battling Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh pile on the pressure in second-half

Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh 0-10 Carrigaline 0-8

First round games are all about securing a place in round four – this they achieved following an accomplished second-half performance as the teams were tied 0-5 each after an eagerly contested opening 30 minutes.

The commitment from both sides was impressive as despite the continuous downpour they did their utmost to serve up decent fare and referee Eamonn Sheehy also deserves praise for officiating sensibly in difficult conditions.

It was apparent early on that little was going to divide the teams because once Carrigaline’s danger man Barry O’Keeffe opened the scoring on three minutes, Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh full-forward Ian Ó Coinceannain replied.

At the end of the quarter they were locked at 0-2 each, but worrying for Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh – thanks in the main to strong defending by Carrigaline – they accumulated some poor wides. David Drake’s excellent point scoring was significant for Carrigaline, as was the determined play of Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh’s wingback Nollaig Ó Duinnín who, as well as marking closely, roamed up field to bag an important score.

Drake and Ben Seartan exchanged points and with the half-time whistle fast approaching they swapped scores once again – Seartan’s effort was a fine individual punt that rallied his troops as they headed to the dressing-room 0-5 apiece.

With the light fading the fear was extra-time might be required. However, Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh had other ideas and proceeded to take the game to Carrigaline immediately from the restart.

They attacked with purpose. Two pointed frees and a marvellous effort from play from the boot of Liam Searton, plus an Andreas Ó Coinceannain flag and the mid Cork outfit had moved four points clear. Carrigaline had yet to score entering the fourth quarter and were forced to make substitutions up front.

Eventually a pair of points arrived from midfielder Peter Murphy.

Then, on the 60 minute mark Andreas Ó Conceannain landed a huge point from the left wing to leave Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh with a three-point lead. Carrigaline won a close-in free and they needed a goal. However, Drake opted for the point.

They attacked once more and won a free. Drake lobbed the ball towards goal this time, but the clock won out.

Scorers for Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh: L Seartan and B Seartan (2f) 0-3 each, A Ó Coinceannain 0-2, N Ó Duinnín and I Ó Coinceannain 0-1 each.

Scorers for Carrigaline: D Drake 0-4 (3f), P Murphy 0-2, B O’Keeffe and E O’Keeffe 0-1 each.

BÉAL ÁTHA AN GHAORTHAIDH: G Ó Muirthile; F Ó Loinsigh, L Ó Conchúir, A Ó Loinsigh; N Ó Duinnín, S Ó Donnachú, S Ó Duinnín; E Choill, L Ó Coinceannain (c); C Ó Duinnín, A Ó Coinceannain, T Ó Laoire; L Seartan, I Ó Coinceannain, B Seartan.

Subs: G MacCárthaigh for T Ó Laoire (56).

CARRIGALINE: S Mellett; C Lynch, G Harrington, B Irwin; K Forbes, E O’Sullivan, C Barry; P Murphy, N Murphy; E O’Keeffe, B O’Keeffe, W O’Brien; S O’Brien, N Coakley, D Drake.

Subs: D O’Regan for O’Brien, T O’Connor for Irwin (ht), A Noonan for Harrington (39 inj), T Murphy for Coakley (51), R Keohane for S O’Brien (58).

Referee: E Sheehy (Newcestown).