Cill na Martra make early progress

It was a satisfying evening for the club from the Muskerry Gaeltacht and the fact that the players who have impressed in under 21 in the last couple of years performed well in the adult sphere was important.

Cill Na Martra were promptly out of the traps and an early Bandon point from a Mark Sugrue free did not knock them out of their stride. That score was immediately nullified when the in form Dan Ó Dúinnín raised a white flag for the winners and Cill Na Martra went from strength to strength when the same player registered two more minors. Micheál Ó Deasúna and Martin Ó Conchúir then got in on the point scoring act so they moved comfortably ahead as the first moiety progressed.

Bandon only managed two additional points, before the interval, a second Sugrúe converted free and a Joe Harrington point from play. The West Cork side consequently trailed at the interval on a 0-11 to 0-3 scoreline so they certainly had it all to do facing the second period.

Cill Na Martra suffered set back when Cork Under 21 player Ó Dúinnín retired injured but they enjoyed a significant cushion when the action resumed. Cill Na Martra were foiled in their efforts at consolidating their position when the Bandon Cúl Baire Prendergast made a couple of top class saves and the West Cork sides play through the field improved subsequently.

Sugrue was their only scorer, however, as Cill Na Martra were still six points ahead entering the closing minutes. A Bandon major from substitute Adam Murphy was some cause of concern for Cill Na Martra but it was too late in the action.

Cill Na Martra consequently secured a deserved victory and they could prove to be formidable contenders for outright success in the competition.