Béal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh prevail in all Gaeltacht tie

Béal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh 2-12 Naomh Abán 1-9

THE second Premier IFC game at Macroom on Sunday last was an all Muskerry Gaeltacht contest. With Cill na Martra beating Éire Óg in the first game in Macroom and Béal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh and Naomh Abán might have felt under extra pressure not to be the Gaeltacht side to lose in the first round.

These two are strong football clubs and they both enjoyed periods of dominance before a triumph over adversity enabled Béal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh to be ahead at the final whistle.

The winners were first to put scores on the board when their sharpshooter Aindrias Concannon converted two frees but they found themselves very much on the back foot subsequently. Naomh Abán put a good attacking movement together which involved Aodhán Ó Lúasa, Micháel Ó Liathaín, Diarmuid O Ceallaigh and finally Conor Ó Críodáin who found the net in expert fashion.

Deaglán Ó hAilleamhain added on a point from a free so the Baile Mhuire side now had the initiative. Daire Ó Ceallacháin got a point back for Béal Atha in the 13th minute but Naomh Abán were on top and Maidhc Ó Duínnín scored two points and a Ó hAilleamhaín minor from a 45 made it 1-4 to 0-4.

Diarmuid MacTomaís scored Béal Atha’s fifth point but Naomh Abán promptly replied with white flags from Diarmuid Ó Ceallaigh and Micheál Ó Liatháin.

Béal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh scored three points as the first moiety was drawing to a close but Naomh Abán had the final say prior to the short whistle. A Diarmuid Ó Ceallaigh point meant that they were leading 1-7 to 0-7.

Naomh Abán found it hard to make progress in attack in the third quarter. Len Ó Concubhair, Amhlaoibh Ó Loinsigh and Daire Ó Ceallachaín were outstanding defenders from Béal Atha whose forwards also made progress. Concannon and substitutes Colmán Ó Tuáma and Crothúir Ó Loinsigh scored points to ensure that the sides were level at the end of the third quarter.

Béal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh then suffered a major setback when Colmán Ó Tuáma made a high tackle and he was the recipient of a red card. Naomh Abán regained the lead when a Maidhc Ó Duínnín free was between the uprights and they appeared to hold all the aces with their numerical advantage. Béal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh rose to the challenge when the need was greatest however.

A strong attack yielded a penalty and Aindrias Concannon converted same. They determinedly defended their lead and Diarmuid MacTomáin converted two frees to enhance their prospects of victory. A point from a Maidhc Ó Duínnín free left a goal between the sides so Naomh Abán had to snatch a last minute goal to avoid defeat. It was Béal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh who found the net however when Diarmuid MacTomáis effectively finished off a good movement.

BÉAL ATHA’N GHAORTHAIDH: G Ó Muirthille, C Ó Núnáin, S Ó Donnchú, N Ó Laoire, D Ó Ceallacháin (0-1), L Ó Concubhair (0-1f), A Ó Loinsigh, E Ó Coill, M Ó Riordáin, D Seartan, C Ó Duínnín (0-1), S ÓTuáma, D MacTomáis (1-3), A Concannon (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-4f), E Ó Duínnín. Subs: C Ó Tuáma (0-1) for E Ó Duínnín (ht), C O Loinsigh (0-1) for C Núnáin (41)

NAOMH ABÁN: M Ó Donnchú, R De Hide, C Ó Deasúna, T Ó Hailíosa, D Ó Loinsigh, E Ó Criodáin, D Scanaill, C Ó Murchú, C de hÍde, D Ó hAileamhain (0-2, 1f, 1 ‘45’), M Ó Duínnín (0-4, 3f), C Ó Criodáin (1-0), D Ó Ceallaigh (0-2, 1f), A Ó Lúasa, M Ó Liatháin (0-1). Subs: S Ó Murchú for C Ó Criodaín (b/c, 34), P Ó Líathaín for D Ó Loinsigh (inj, 52), S Ó Ríada for S Ó Murchú (b/c, 56)

REFEREE: N Wall (Ballincollig)