Kanturk show steel and defiance to edge past Cill Na Martra in Premier IFC semi-final
Kanturk's Cian Clernon shoots from Cill na Martra's Tadhg O'Corcora and Graham O'Mocháin during the Bon Secours Cork Premier IFC semi-final at Mallow. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
AFTER a heartbreaking hurling defeat last week, it was joy aplenty for the Kanturk footballers in Mallow on Saturday when they edged out fancied Cill Na Martra to book a Cork Premier IFC final showdown with Knocknagree next weekend.
In a tough and sometimes uncompromising semi-final clash, where most of the good football was played in the opening half, Kanturk proved again they had the Indian sign over the Gaeltacht side with a show of steel in defence and some fine attacking play, particularly in that opening 30 minutes.
For Cill Na Martra it was heartache and particularly for centre-forward Micheàl Ó Deasúna who missed a first half penalty and three good free opportunities in the second half, the last one in the dying seconds to bring the game to extra time.
Kanturk boss Tim Healy was happy afterwards. “ Our backs really stood up today. Cill Na Martra were favourites, and justifiably so, but despite the disappointment of the hurling defeat last week our players were up for it despite three really tough games in succession.
“Lorcan was sent off last week but yet was first up for football training the following morning. That set the tone for us. Aidan has an injury and yet he came on in the second-half and was immense. We’ll freshen up for Knocknagree now it will be a different kind of game but we will be up for it.” With Aidan Walsh on the subs bench, brothers Paul and Ryan were quick into the action with Ryan pointing in the first minute. But Cill Na Martra too were up for it with brothers Daniel and Shane Ó Duinnín putting them ahead. Already it was shaping into a lively contest.
A couple of points from the excellent Ian Walsh had Kanturk 0-5 to 0-4 ahead before the water break when Cill Na Martra missed a glorious chance to go ahead. A quick raid involving Tadhg Ó Corcora and Daniel Ó Duinnín set up Danny Ó Conaill and when he was brought down by Lorcan O'Neill, busy referee Alan O’Connor awarded a penalty.
Ó Deasúna struck the penalty well but his shot hit the upright and bounced out for a 45 off keeper Jordan Fullerton which Ó Deasúna converted.
Some terrific free flowing football in the second quarter, Nollaig Ó Laoire denying Paul Walsh a goal with a terrific block and with corner-back Daire MacLoclainn keeping Kanturk dangerman Kyrle Holland quiet at the other end there was just two between them at the break, Kanturk leading 0-10 to 0-8.
Aidan Walsh came into the action for the second-half and played a pivotal role in a hard fought 30 minutes in which only five points were scored, three by Cill Na Martra. A Cian Clernon free and a third point from Ian Walsh had Kanturk four clear by the 36th minute but they could never shake off a tenacious Gaeltacht side who fought for every ball. Ciarán Ó Duinín pointed, Mícheál Ó Deasúna fired over a free and it was back to two again with Liam O’Keeffe also missing a goal chance for Kanturk after being set up by Aidan Walsh.
A late Daniel Ó Duinnín point made it a one point game and it looked like extra time when Ó Duinnín had a chance to equalise with a free. However, the centre-forward was off target again and Kanturk were on their way to the final.
C. Clernon (0-4, 0-1 free), I. Walsh (0-1 free) and R. Walsh (0-3 each), P. Walsh and L. O’Neill (0-1 each).
S. Ó Duinnín and M Ó Deasúna (0-1 45, 0-2 frees, 0-3 each), D. Ó Duinnín and C. Ó Duinnín (0-2 each), D Ó hUrdail (0-1 free).
J. Fullerton; J. McLoughlin, J. Browne, L. Cashman; L. O’ Neill, D. Browne, L. McLoughlin; J. Fitzpatrick, P. Walsh; R. Walsh, M. Healy, L. O’Keeffe: K. Holland, I.Walsh, C. Clernon.
A. Walsh for L. O’Neill (ht), A. Walsh for O’Keeffe (44m), B. O’Sullivan for Holland (45m), G. Kennehan for R. Walsh (55m).
A. Ó Conail; D. Mac Lochlainn, G. Ó Mocháin, E. Ó Loingsigh; T. Ó Corcora, N. Ó Laoire, D. Ó Conaill; S. Ó Fóirréidh, G. Ó Goillidhe; C. Ó Duinnín, M. Ó Deasúna, G. Ó Faoláin; D. Ó hUrdail, D. Ó Duinnín, S. O Duinnín.
C. Ó Meachair for Ó hUrdail (ht), S. Ó Loinsigh for Ó Fóirréidh (36m), M. Ó Concúir for Ó Faoláin (36m), C. Ó Laoire for E. Ó Loinsigh (45m), L. Ó Loinsigh for C. Ó Duinnín (51m).
A. O’Connor (Ballygarvan).
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