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broke kindly for Ruairi O’Hagan, who, showing good composure, fired in a stunning goal.

Fermoy improved considerably in all sectors following that boost, although Macroom twice managed to nudge ahead in the ensuing minutes, with points from David Goold and Fintan Goold – who, in fairness, remained a threat with limited possession – sandwiching another score from the inspirational O’Hagan.

With O’Hagan slotting over a couple of frees, Fermoy hit the front at the three-quarter stage, but Macroom replied through David Goold, who pointed a placed ball from distance to set the scene for a nail-biting finale.

As their defence grew in stature, applying sufficient pressure to ensure that the Macroom forwards struggled to find their range on the run-in, Fermoy put in the stronger finish, with O’Hagan posting a sublime point from play before landing the insurance score in stoppage time, after substitute Kieran Dorgan gathered a high ball at the edge of the square to earn a free.

All in all, Fermoy’s win was fully deserved, but they will have to plan without Jack Hutchings for their next assignment, as he was red-carded following his involvement in a minor flare-up shortly before the last whistle.