Tenacious Naomh Abán have the extra edge

A MORE clinical Naomh Abán edged out Carrigaline after extra-time in the Cork PIFC second round at Ovens on Saturday.

In a game of high intensity, the Baile Bhúirne side had seven wides over the 80 minutes compared to 17 for their opponents. Indeed Carrigaline could well have won the game, despite their profligacy, but a goal in the 56th minute by Seánnacháin MacCárthaigh put Naomh Abán into a one-point lead, an injury-time equaliser from David Drake necessitating the additional period.

After Artur Hankus and MacCárthaigh had edged Naomh Abán ahead in the extra 20 minutes, Carrig wasted more chances after Tony O’Sullivan had cut the gap and Daire Ó Súilleabháin’s second point wrapped things up late on.

His first was the game’s opener in the third minute, but 21 more would elapse before they scored another as Carrigaline notched seven in the interim. Having a monopoly in the aerial battle, Nicholas Murphy, Elliot O’Keeffe and Niall Coakley all winning good ball, they enjoyed excellent possession and a good spread of scorers, those seven points all from different players.

Even at that early stage the wides were a worry, the game’s first six all by the Carrigdhoun side, and despite being over-run for the most part, Naomh Abán actually had the two best early goal chances, Antaine Ó Loingsigh — who came through the 80 minutes relatively unscathed — denied by Sean Mellett’s save and Jason Mac Cárthaigh fisting against the post.

At the other end, Seánnacháin Ó hUidhír had to save well from Killian McIntyre on 21 minutes, but once Naomh Abán attacked more incisively they ate into the deficit, Micheál Ó Cróinín scoring three and setting up Séamus Ó Laoghaire for another as they trailed at half-time 0-7 to 0-5.

As has so often been the case, Ó Cróinín was the driving force of the attack and his two huge points early in the second-half ensured Carrig didn’t get too much momentum from Drake’s point within 12 seconds of the restart.

In addition, full-back Tadhg Ó Scanaill had come roaring into the game but Carrigaline were still posing an attacking threat and in the 37th minute were given a great chance to extend their lead when Peter Murphy was fouled for a penalty by Barry O’Keeffe who put his spot kick wide.

That miss mattered little in the immediate aftermath, however, as they pushed clear anyway, centre-back Cian Barry intercepting a loose pass and, playing a one-two with Simon O’Brien, beat Ó hUidhir at the second attempt to make it 1-8 to 0-7.

With little to separate the sides as the half wore on, Ó Laoghaire almost cancelled out that score only to hit the post on 47 minutes, but when Carrig sub Tony Murphy scored with his first touch with eight minutes left, it was 1-10 to 0-9.

MacCárthaigh and Ó Cróinín left two in it before the former’s goal, rounding off a lovely move. Then, with tension rising, Donncha Ó Cróinín and Colin Lynch were shown red cards following a melee.

Naomh Abán couldn’t hold out as the Carrig pressure told, but they finished the job in extra-time.

Scorers for Naomh Abán: M Ó Cróinín 0-7 (0-3f), S Mac Cárthaigh 1-3, D Ó Súilleabháin 0-2, S Ó Laoghaire, A Hankus 0-1 each.

Scorers for Carrigaline: D Drake 0-3 (0-1f), C Barry 1-0, K Kavanagh, P Murphy, E O’Keeffe, N Coakley, K McIntyre, S O’Brien, B O’Keeffe, T Murphy, T O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

NAOMH ABÁN: S Ó hUidhir; S Ó Mathúna, T Ó Scanaill, Amhlaoibh Ó Loingsigh; C de hÍde, Antaine Ó Loingsigh, C Ó Loingsigh; S Ó Laoghaire, A Hankus; D Ó Cróinín, M Ó Cróinín, D Ó Ceocháin; J Mac Cárthaigh, S Mac Cárthaigh, D Ó Súilleabháin.

Subs: S Ó Riada for C Ó Loingsigh (9-14, injured), SA Mac Cárthaigh (15th player for extra time), Ó Riada for de hÍde (73).

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

Subs: W O’Brien for O’Keeffe (47), P Ronayane for Forbes (48, injured), T Murphy for Coakley (57), T O’Sullivan for B O’Keeffe (60), E O’Keeffe (15th player for extra time), N Coakley for P Murphy (69, injured).

Referee: D White (St Mary’s).