Inniscarra face Macroom in Muskerry Under-21 ‘A’ football final
LAST weekend in Muskerry the Macroom Motors U-21 ‘B’ football championship came closer to a conclusion when the replayed quarter-final involving Eire Og and Kilmurry got a result.
Eire Og were victorious so they will play Aghabullogue in the semi-final next weekend and the winners will qualify for a final encounter with Cill Na Martra. A good hour’s football similar to the drawn encounter was anticipated at Annahala on Sunday last and those of us who attended were not disappointed. Both sides had periods of supremacy but the physically stronger Eire Og side were slightly the better team over the hour with their ability to capitalise on the goal scoring opportunities that came their way tilting the balance in their favour. The winners led 3-1 to 0-5 at the short whistle.
Kilmurry made a determined effort to turn their situation around when the action resumed but they were unable to get close enough to really make the situation uncomfortable for their stronger opponents. John Mullins and Daniel O’Connor were major figures in Eire Og’s victory. Next Saturday at Cloughduv, the semi-final contest between Aghabullogue and Eire Og will commence at 3pm and this encounter between these keen rivals is likely to go down to the wire.
Annahala is the venue for the Macroom Motors Under-21 ‘A’ final and it will be interesting to see if Inniscarra will finally succeed in overcoming Macroom in an U-21 football final. The U-21 football championship was first introduced in Muskerry in 1963 but surprisingly Macroom did not capture their first title until 1972. That historic victory was at Inniscarra’s expense, and in the ensuing years, when Macroom have enjoyed periods of dominance in U-21 football, they secured final victories over Inniscarra on a few occasions. Macroom were winners in finals in 1981, 1987 and 2007 and they were also successful when the sides met in the U-21 ‘B’ final last season when the clubs participated in the lower U-21 football grade. That final in 2014 produced an exciting hour’s play when Macroom produced that something extra to garner the spoils.
The teams representing both clubs on Sunday next will have in their ranks a good number of players who participated in last year’s ‘B’ final but Macroom will be without their outstanding performer on that occasion Pat Lucey, who is still eligible for selection. Lucey was unfortunate to be troubled by a bout of sickness recently, but has put it behind him. He is not ready yet for action but hopefully we will see him line out again in his clubs colours soon.
Looking ahead to next Sunday’s final, and looking at both Inniscarra and Macroom in their outings in the competition to date and comparing the talent at the participants’ disposal, Inniscarra have to be cast in the role of favourites entering the fray. They were well merited victors over reigning champions Ballincollig in their opening game on a 2-9 to 1-7 scoreline and one must bear in mind that they were without the services of leading footballers like Paul Farmer and Jack Hayes.
Macroom also had to overcome Ballincollig to qualify for the final as the latter stayed in the running due to a victory over Naomh Aban in a losers’ group outing. Macroom were victorious in their encounter with Ballincollig by 0-11 to 0-9 and it was a well-deserved victory at the semi-final stage. The former also secured a victory over Naomh Aban so they have reached the final on merit and they will make a determined effort to capture their 16th ‘A’ title on Sunday.
Inniscarra have just one U- 21 ‘A’ title to their credit one in 2001 and their hour seems to have arrived to increase that number but Sunday at Annahala will tell all. Players who are likely to be to the forefront of their quest for victory are Kevin O’Herlihy, Jack O’Dwyer, Aaron O’Raw, Stephen Dornan, Liam Collins, Tomás O’Connor, Paul Farmer and Sean O’Donoghue.
Macroom have outstanding footballers in David Horgan and Kevin O’Dwyer and others who should figure prominently in their quest for another U-21 crown are Emmett Quinlan, Robert Downey, John Murphy and Don Creedon. Sunday’s under 21 football final at Annahala is part of a very attractive Gaelic Football programme. The Muskerry Cup junior football final involving Canovee and Kilmurry is also down for decision at the venue.