Kiskeam turn on the power

Kiskeam 0-21 Naomh Abán 0-16

When the hard questions were asked early in the second half, Kiskeam had the answers to overcome the concession of eight points and a run of seven unanswered points regained control of the lively proceedings.

Not even a monsoon-like shower could deter some splendid individual shooting in both attacks. And a cool and composed Kiskeam coach Jimmy Dennehy reacted with satisfaction on a job well done as they face into the business end of the championship.

“That’s the first time, we’ve kicked 0-21, some great scores and coming back from a half-time deficit, showed great resolve. Every day is a test in this competition and we’re pleased to move on and face new challenges,” said Dennehy.

As the game progressed, Kiskeam grabbed a foothold to enjoy a 0-8 to 0-4 grip thanks to points from David Scannell and Diarmuid Fitzgerald to take a 0-8 to 0-4 advantage.

But as the heavens opened, Naomh Abán raised the pace and intensity with Michéal and Seamus Ó Laoire winning primary possession in midfield. Indeed the Gaeltacht outfit turned the screw as Shane MacCarthaigh, Michéal Ó Cróinín and Diarmuid Ó Liatháin boomed over massive points to change the complexion of the game, Naomh Abán ahead 0-11 to 0-8 at the short whistle.

That lead was extended to four on the restart but Kiskeam never lost belief and rallied brilliantly.

In defence Joseph Dennehy, A J O’Connor and Padraig O’Leary emerged a much more focused force.

Up front, the astute switch of central attackers Mike Herlihy and Niall Cronin offered Kiskeam more of a cutting edge to register seven consecutive points. Naomh Abán refused to buckle and it took a brilliant block by county minor keeper Anthony Casey to deny Ó Liatháin.

Points by Ó Cróinín offered Naomh Abán encouragement but Kiskeam never lost composure and closed out the game with white flags from Herlihy and Tom O’Sullivan to earn a quarter-final date against St Michael’s or Valley Rovers.

Scorers for Kiskeam: D Scannell 0-5, M Herlihy 0-4, B Dennehy 0-3f, N Cronin 0-3, D Fitzgerald 0-2, R Carroll, M Casey, A J O’Connor and T O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Naomh Abán: S MacCarthaigh 0-6(0-4f), M Ó Cróinín 0-5(0-1f), D Ó Liatháin 0-2, M Ó Duinnín, S O’Laoire and D Ó Cróinín 0-1 each.

KISKEAM: A Casey; P Cronin, J Dennehy, D J Casey; AJ O’Connor, D Linehan, P O’Leary; M Casey, E O’Mahony; D Fitzgerald, M Herlihy, R Carroll; D Scannell, B Dennehy, N Cronin.

Subs: S Linehan for P Cronin(33), T O’Sullivan for Carroll(45).

NAOMH ABÁN: S Ó hUidir; L Mac Suibhne, S Ó Mathúna, C Ó Deaúna, D Ó Scannaill, T Ó Scannaill, A Ó Loinsigh; M Ó Laoire, S Ó Laoire; D Ó Liatháin, D Ó Ceocháin, N Ó Ceallaigh; S MacCarthaigh, M Ó Cróinín, M Ó Duinnín.

Subs: D Ó Sulleabháin for Ó Ceocháin (46), D Ó Cróinín for Ó Ceallaigh(47).

Referee: J O’Leary (Malllow).