Tadhg MacCarthaigh forced to dig deep to see off Saints

TADHG MacCarthaigh were forced to show character and resolve to overcome a gritty St. Peters in the County Under 21 C FC semi-final at Cill na Martra.

At the end of the hour, the West Cork champions ability to take goal scoring chances hurt their opponents. On the evidence of a favourable performance, Tadhg MacCarthaigh can take plenty of encouragement against Donoughmore in the decider in going in search of a first time county title above minor level.

St Peters comprising players drawn from Rockchapel, Meelin and Freemount gave a decent account of themselves and though falling nine points adrift early in the second half, they mounted a spirited rally. However, the scores didn’t come as frequently as they had hoped and it allowed Tadhg MacCarthaigh survive the onslaught.

Not too much between the sides early on with both sides forfeiting goaling opportunities, St. Peters broke the deadlock on their only lead from midfielder Jack Curtin. However, the Caheragh boys served notice of their intentions, Tom Daly’s long ball found namesake Eugene to blast home a cracking goal followed by points to Dylan Murray.

Peters raised the stakes through the work-rate of Dean Collins, Daniel O’Callaghan, Curtin and two Eoin Collins points ensured a stalemate. Both ‘keepers were called into action, Brendan Keohane and Conor Casey dealt comfortably with dangerous situations.

Coming up to the break, Tadhg MacCarthaigh gained the upperhand, Charlie McCarthy and Eoin O’Donovan on target for their side enjoy a 1-6 to 0-6 advantage. Indeed, the Carbery side reinforced their dominance on the restart, defenders David O’Connor, Tom Daly and Charlie McCarthy gave little away to marshal the troops; Seán McCarthy and Cillian Murray emerged key figures at midfield with Dylan Murray and Eugene Daly combining to offer penetration in attack.

And the MacCarthaigh cause was helped enormously from a goal netted by Paddy Burke. At this stage, the outcome looked done and dusted yet fair play to St Peters, they offered commendable spirit on staying in the contest.

The loss of central defender Daly to a black card unsettled Tadhg McCarthaigh and St Peters proceeded to come forward in droves. However, they bemoaned missed chances, shooting twelve wides during the second half.

Crucially for Tadhg MacCarthaigh, they locked the door to goal to rubberstamp a place in a county final.

TADHG MAC CARTHAIGH: B Keohane; D O’Connor, G Barnett, M McCarthy; P Keane, T Daly, C McCarthy 0-4(0-2f); S McCarthy, C Murray; P Crowley, E O’Donovan 0-2, D Murray 0-2; E Daly 1-0, P Burke, 1-1 G Dineen Subs: B Crowley for T Daly (bc), M Cotter for P Crowley, C Crowley for C Daly

ST. PETERS: C Casey; J O’Sullivan, D O’Callaghan, D Keating; D Collins, M O’Keeffe, D Daly; S Curtin, J Curtin 0-1; N Linehan, M McAuliffe, M Murphy; M O’Callaghan 0-2, P Collins, E Collins 0-7(0-4f) Subs: M Daly for N Linehan, Linehan for E Collins (inj)

REFEREE: K Fury (Cill na Martra)