Aghada rue misses as Cill na Martra get up and running 

The introduction of Dan Ó Duinnín steadied the Cill na Martra ship 

Cork Premier IFC: Cill na Martra 0-11 Aghada 0-8 

Aghada threw everything at Cill Na Martra in the Bon Secours Cork Premier IFC at Cloughduv on Saturday. But for all their hard work, they were left empty-handed, due in the main to a host of missed opportunities.

Credit must be give to Cill na Martra for withstanding the challenge. They never panicked, and when the game had yet to be decided in the second half, the introduction of Dan Ó Duinnín steadied the ship.

Also, Tadhg Ó Corcora kept a close eye on Aghada dangerman Aaron Berry.

Aghada trailed 0-3 to 0-5 at the interval after playing with the strong wind, albeit blowing towards the corner flag.

On seven minutes, they drew level through Danny Creedon, 0-2 apiece.

John Evan’s team, who are one of the favourites for this championship, led four-two on the quarter-hour mark. The second quarter, which was devoid of scores, belonged to Cill na Martra. When Micheál Ó Deasúna landed his fifth point from the left flank, it yielded a two-point cushion at the break.

Aghada missed some glorious chances after the restart, and it proved to be their downfall.

A two-point gap remained between the teams at the three-quarter mark (0-7 to 0-5), Jack Norris and a Diarmuid Byrne free cancelled by Fionnbarra Ó hÉalaithe and Maidhcí Ó Duinnín.

Byrne landed a couple of frees to keep Aghada in touch, the nearest they could get was two points.

Cill na Marta, meanwhile, turned the screw, kicking some eye-catching points from play and from many different angles. Ciarán Ó Duinnín, Ó Deasúna (free) and Maidhcí Ó Duinnín twice.

They were four up in stoppage when Ciarán Ó Duinnín received a black card, and despite Creedon converting a late free, they kept their composure.

In this group, Kilshannig and Cill na Martra are the front runners in round one, meaning Na Piarsaigh and Aghada have no room for error from here on in.

Scorers for Cill na Martra: M Ó Deasúna (0-6, 0-5 frees), M Ó Duinnín (0-3), C Ó Duinnín and F Ó hÉalaithe (0-1 each).

Scorers for Aghada: D Creedon (0-2 frees) and D Byrne (frees) (0-3 each), J Norris and T Hartnett (0-1 each).

CILL NA MARTRA: P Ó Críodáin; T Ó Corcora, G Ó Mocháin, F Ó Faoláin; D Ó Conaill, S Ó Fóirréidh, C Ó Fóirréidh; F Ó hÉalaithe, G Ó Goillidhe (Capt); C Mac Lochlainn, C Ó Duinnín, C Ó Meachair; S Ó Duinnín, M Ó Deasúna, M Ó Duinnín.

Subs: D Ó Duinnín for C Ó Meachair (41), E Ó Conaill for F Ó Éalaithe (50), A Ó Loingsigh for S Ó Duinnín (61).

AGHADA: C O’Shea; J Norris, E Leahy (Capt), D Collins; A O’Connell, J O’Donoghue, K O’Shea; D Phelan, D Byrne; T Hartnett, D Creedon, A Berry; C Hegarty, J Tynan, P O’Neill.

Subs: J Colbert for J O’Donoghue (half-time inj), J O’Hanlon for A O’Connell (41), S Whyte for C Hegarty (53), D Leahy for D Phelan (58).

Referee: Shane Scanlon (Newcestown).