McCarthy seals sensational win for Naomh Abán in cracker

Another belter of a match between these sides in Kilmichael on Saturday as Naomh Abán kicked a goal and two points in the dying embers of the Cork Premier IFC fourth round replay to win by one.

It was an amazing finish on a damp night leaving contrasting emotions.

In the drawn game both teams dug deep at different stages and this was no different. Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh appeared to be heading to the quarter-final against St Vincent’s when they led 1-9 to 1-5 with normal time almost up. But, Naomh Abán got a second wind and it was Shane McCarthy who slotted over the winner from a free after McCarthy himself was brought down.

Factor in too Anthony Lynch being forced off with a leg injury a few minutes in. It was two points apiece before Micheál Ó Cróinín crashed home a penalty in the second quarter following a foul on Denis Keohane. A brace of points in the run up to the interval from Andy Concannon (who tallied 1-5) and Leonard O’Connor left the score 1-2 to 0-4 in favour of Naomh Abán.

Naomh Abán stretched their advantage to a clear goal after the restart but Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh levelled with Andy Concannon landing two huge frees. Naomh Abán edged it again 1-5 to 0-7, yet Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh replied — Andy Concannon’s goal the highlight. Naomh Abán went through a barren spell wasting many chances while Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh moved ahead 1-9 to 1-5.

The next couple of minutes came unscripted. Keohane pointed. Colm Murphy punched a spectacular goal and in injury time Shane McCarthy coolly slotted the winner.

Scorers for Naomh Abán: M Ó Cróinín 1-1 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), S MacCárthaigh 0-4 (0-3fs), C Ó Murchú 1-0, S Ó Laoighaire and D Ó Ceochain 0-1 each.

Scorers for Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh: A Ó Coinceannain 1-5 (3fs), C Ó Tuama 0-2, L Shorten and L Ó Conchúir 0-1 each.

NAOMH ABÁN: S Ó hUidhir; Amhlaoibh Ó Loinsigh, S Ó Mathúna, C Ó Deasúna; D Ó Scanaill, Antaine Ó Loinsigh, C Ó Tuama; T Ó Scanaill, S Ó Laoighaire; D Ó Liathain, D Ó Suilleabháin, C Ó Murchú; S MacCárthaigh, M Ó Cróinín, D Ó Ceochain.

Subs: L MacSuibhne for Antaine Ó Loingsigh (5 inj), J MacCárthaigh for L MacSuibhne (47).

BÉAL ÁTHAN GHAORTHAID: G Ó Muirthile; N Ó Duinnín, A Ó Loingsigh, D MacCárthaigh, S Ó Donnachú, B Ó Coinceannain, S Ó Duinnín; L Ó Conchúir, C Ó Tuama; P Ó Buachalla, L Ó Coinceannain, L Shorten; T Ó Laoire, A Ó Coinceannain, B Shorten.

Subs: C Ó Duinnín for T Ó Laoire (ht), M Ó Tuama for P Ó Buachalla (53).

Referee: J Bermingham (Bride Rovers).