Carrigaline preserve winning streak with victory over Cill na Martra

After a bright start from the Gaeltacht side that saw them lead by eight at the break – led by Cork senior football Brian O’Drsicoll, Carrigaline produced a superb response

Neither side progress to the semi-finals directly

Cork SAFC: Carrigaline 1-15 Cill na Martra 0-16 

it was a game that carried little weight, with scoring difference meaning neither side were likely to advance directly to the semi-finals. And yet, both teams put up impressive performances, with Carrigaline narrowly edging out Cill na Martra in Ballymaw on Sunday afternoon.

After a bright start from the Gaeltacht side that saw them lead by eight at the break – led by Cork senior football Brian O’Driscoll, Carrigaline produced a superb response.

They hit Cill na Martra for six points in a row on the restart, and by the end of the third quarter led their opponents by two. The first of their six in a row came from a Niall Coakley free, before Dan Greene and Coakley added another couple of points to draw level on 38, 0-12 to 1-9.

Eanna Desmond nudged the Carrigdhoun side in front from a free, and a well-worked team move finished by O’Driscoll gave Carrig a two point lead after 43 minutes.

After being hit for six scores in a row Cill na Matra played it patient and were rewarded with an important score though Ciarán Ó Duinnín.

Daniel Ó Duinnín’s fifth point and a free from Damien Ó hUrdail levelled the game for the seventh time – but that would mark the end of Cill na Martra’s scoring in the 50th minute.

An immediate response from O’Driscoll 30 seconds later put Carrigaline back in front – and they held their shape in the final 10 minutes.

Cill Na Martra's Daniel O'Dúinnin was impressive on the day

They added three more scores, but their physical and robust defensive approach paid dividends as they kept their opponents scoreless.

Daniel Ó Duinnín was outstanding for Cill na Martra but Carrigaline managed to limit his damage – either by closing off any space he could run into or by bringing him down when he got through.

It was a convincing second half display that showed why they’re title favourites and was an improvement on what they produced in the first period.

Two points from Daniel Ó Duinnín put Cill na Martra 0-4 to 0-2 in front after 10 minutes, but Carrigaline’s response was green – with Brian Coakley passing to Cian Barry, who buried it into the net from close in.

Cill na Martra did get back in front thanks to points from Daniel Ó Duinnín and his cousin Maidhcí, but two frees from O’Driscoll restored Carrig’s one-point advantage by the 16th minute, 1-4 to 0-6.

That was the last time Carrigaline led until the 45th minute, as their opponents clinical in front of the posts for the rest of the half.

Shane Ó Duinnin levelled the contest after Damien Ó hUrdail assisted, and they outscored Carrig 0-5 to 0-1 to close out the half – though their opponents would produce a classy response in the second half to ensure they preserved their winning streak.

Scorers for Carrigaline: B O’Driscoll 0-6 (0-3 f), N Coakley 0-4 (0-2 f), E Desmond 0-3 (0-1 f), C Barry 1-0, D Greene 0-2.

Cill na Martra: D Ó Duinnín 0-5, S Ó Duinnín 0-4 (0-1 f), D Ó hUrdail 0-3 (0-2 f), J MacCárthaigh 0-2 (0-1 f), M Ó Duinnín, C Ó Duinnín 0-1 each.

CARRIGALINE: S Mellet; N Quirke, I Sheerin, K McCarthy; D King, C O’Herlihy, J McCarthy (Cpt); B O’Driscoll, C Barry; A Cohalen, B Coakley, D Greene; E Landers, N Coakley, E Desmond. Subs: K Kavanagh for King (43), E Ryle for Cohalen (50).

CILL NA MARTRA: M Ó Deasúna; D Ó Conaill, T Ó Corcora, F Ó Faoláin; C Ó Duinnín, S Ó Foirréidh, C Ó Cróinín; G Ó Goillidhe (Cpt), F Ó h-Éalaithe; E Ó Conaill, D Ó Duinnín, J MacCárthaigh; M Ó Duinnín, D Ó hUrdail, S Ó Duinnín. Subs: C Ó Foirreidh for Ó h-Éalaithe (HT), A Ó hUidhir for C Ó Foirreidh (39-41 bs), Ó hUidhir for Ó Conaill (48).

Referee: Canice Walsh (Nemo Rangers)