Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh's late surge enough to dump Dohenys out

Fionn Herlihy holds possession for Dohenys against Séamas O'Tuama, Ballingeary. Pic: Larry Cummins

Cork Senior A FC: Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh 2-14 (2-2-10) Dohenys 1-14 (1-1-12) 

Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh’s late scoring surge gave them victory over Dohenys in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC at Inchigeela on Saturday.

While they fell 1-11 to 1-10 behind when Dohenys goalkeeper Stephen Daly scored a two-point free with 11 minutes left, the Gaeltacht side responded with an unanswered 1-3.

They were immediately level thanks to a point from sub Ben Seartan – playing his first match in five months after being out injured – and then when Daire Ó Ceallacháin was fouled on 53, Seartan sent over the free.

It was to get even better as, with the Béal Átha having established a strong grip around the middle, the resultant kickout was turned over and Conchúr Ó Loingsigh and Seartan combined for Diarmuid Mac Thomáis to find the net. Another sub, Nollaig Ó Laoire, profited from good work by captain Donagh Seartan to fire over and it was 2-13 to 1-11.

While they had to face a late Dohenys onslaught, the Béal Átha defence stood firm, with corner-back Ciarán Ó Nuanáin excellent throughout, and it was fitting that Ó Loingsigh and midfielder Daire Ó Briain should combine for Donagh Seartan to fire over their last point as all three were excellent.

With a point already claimed after a draw with O’Donovan Rossa, Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh will now go into their last match against Bishopstown with a chance to top the group; while Jerry Collins and Rhys Coakley had late points for Dohenys, this defeat on the back of the Town loss means that the 2023 finalists cannot now qualify.

They had started very well. With Béal Átha playing a two-man full-forward line, Jerry Farrell was able to sweep and that in turn freed centre-back Eoin Lavers to make attacking forays – he was the beneficiary of Aaron Mannix’s build-up play to score a fifth-minute goal and Fionn Herlihy’s point had them 1-2 to 0-2 in front in the ninth minute.

They couldn’t push on, though, and two-pointers for Ó Loingsigh and Séamas Ó Tuama had them in front. Things got even better as Donagh Seartan and Seán Ó Luasa exchanged passes before the latter raised a green flag, with Ó Loingsigh’s point leaving it 1-8 to 1-4 on 21.

Dohenys did finish the half well with frees from captain Keith White, though they did need good defending from Donal Rice and Adam O’Donovan to deny Mac Thomáis a goal just before the break – 1-8 to 1-7 at half-time.

White’s free levelled before Daly came forward to land a 45 and put Dohenys back in front, with Keith McCarthy working tirelessly for them.

They could never shake off their opponents though and Béal Átha’s impact from the bench was key in pushing them on for the win.

Scorers for Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh: D Mac Thomáis 1-3 (0-1 f), C Ó Loingsigh 0-3 (1 2pt), S Ó Luasa 1-0, D Seartan, S Ó Tuama (1 2pt), B Seartan (0-1 f) 0-2 each, N Ó Laoire, S Ó Muineacháin 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dohenys: K White 0-4 f, S Daly 0-3 (1 2ptf, 0-1 45), E Lavers 1-0, F Herlihy, R Coakley 0-2 each, S Barry, K McCarthy, J Collins 0-1 each.

BÉAL ÁTHA’N GHAORTHAIDH: D Ó Coill; P Ó Tuama, S Ó Donnchú, C Ó Nuanáin; S Ó Luasa, É Ó Duinnín, G Ó Laoire; D Ó Briain, S Ó Tuama; Daire Ó Ceallacháin, C Ó Loingsigh, D Seartan; D Mac Thomáis, C Ó Duinnín, Diarmuid Ó Ceallacháin.

Subs: S Ó Muineacháin for Ó Luasa (35, injured), B Seartan for Ó Ceallacháoon, N Ó Laoire for C Ó Duinnín (both 45).

DOHENYS: S Daly; J Farrell, D Collins, D Rice; B O’Donovan, E Lavers, C Daly; A O’Donovan, A Mannix; K McCarthy, F Herlihy, R Coakley; K White, M Buckley, S Barry.

Sub: J Collins for Lavers (half-time, injured).

Referee: J Bermingham (Bride Rovers).