Naomh Abán hold nerve against Bandon to secure winning start

The result was not secure until a Marc Ó Críod fisted point in stoppage time.

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024 - 21:48

Therese O’Callaghan, Carrigadrohid

Naomh Abán 0-12 Bandon 0-9

Naomh Abán claimed the points in the opening round of the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier IFC in Carrigadrohid on Sunday night.

They had to hold their nerve in a tense finish as the result was not secure until a Marc Ó Críod fisted point in stoppage time.

In a group that includes 2023 finalists Bantry Blues and Nemo Rangers, Naomh Abán were in front by the minimum at half-time, but pushed ahead early in the second-half to lead by double scores only for Bandon to cut the gap to two as the clock moved into the red.

Manager Diarmuid Scannell and coach Carthrach Keane will be delighted with the result especially as they were missing Cork U20 player Ed Myers due to injury. Delighted too with corner-forward Wayne MacCárthaigh, their leading scorer from play with five brilliant points.

It was Naomh Abán who were quickest off the mark, Dara Mickey Ó Loingsigh and a Maidhc Ó Duinnín free put them two up. It was four two after 20 minutes.

Bandon, who started with the breeze at their backs, found scores harder to come by but when they got motoring Mike Cahalane (3) and Darren Crowley kicked some glorious points.

They drew level 0-4 apiece approaching the interval, but MacCárthaigh had the final say of the half to leave the scoreline 0-5 to 0-4 in favour of Naomh Abán.

Bandon's Darren Crowley tackling Naomh Aban's Dara Mickey Ó Loingsigh. Picture Denis Boyle

And they played great football on the resumption, three scores on the spin from MacCárthaigh (2) and Ó Loingsigh put them four ahead.

Midway through the second-half, they were still four up, 0-10 to 0-6.

When Conor Calnan and Ó Duinnín swapped points, they were still the better side.

But, Bandon managed by Ray Brennan and coached by Pat Prendergast, produced a strong finish. Cahalane (who also finished with five points) floated over a point from play and when sub Mark Sugrue sent over another the deficit was reduced to two points and Bandon were doing all the pressing.

However as hard as they tried to convert their possession into scores, it didn’t happen for them.

Naomh Abán lived dangerously and despite being under pressure, Ó Críod managed to break free and nab the insurance point.

Scorers for Naomh Abán: W MacCarthaigh (0-5), M Ó Duinnín (0-3, 0-1 f), D M Ó Loingsigh (0-2), M Ó Críod and D Ó Ceallaigh (0-1 each).

Scorers for Bandon: M Cahalane (0-5, 0-2 fs), C Calnan D Crowley. M Sugrue and B Donegan (0-1 each).

NAOMH ABÁN: G Ó Luasa; C de Róiste, C Ó Deasúnaigh, S Ó Mathúna; N Ó Ceallaigh, C de hÍde, É Ó Criodáin; D M Ó Loingsigh (Capt), J Ó Donnchú; C (John C) Ó Criodáin, M Ó Críod, M Ó Liatháin; W MacCárthaigh, M Ó Duinnín, D Ó Ceallaigh.

Subs: S Hendy for S Ó Mathúna (half-time), A Ó Cathasaigh for N Ó Ceallaigh (49).

BANDON: C McCarthy; S Aherne, B Crowley, E McSweeney; C Calnan, P Murphy (Capt), C O’Mahony; T Twohig, D O’Donovan; R Long, J Mulcahy, J Callanan; C Long, M Cahalane, D Crowley.

Subs: B Donegan for R Long (half-time), M Sugrue for J Callanan (53), P Callanan for C O’Mahony (55).

Referee: Cathal Egan (St Nick’s).