Macroom eke out win
TWO teams from the Muskerry division were in action in the first round of the Premier intermediate football championship at Cill Na Martra on Sunday afternoon last and it took extra time to get a result in a game that was at all times closely contested.
The participants were representing clubs who have been involved in many exciting encounters at every level of Gaelic football over the years and it was expected that last Sunday’s contest would go right down to the wire.
The close encounter did manifest itself but the quality of play proved to be disappointing as the tense atmosphere prevailing stymied the players ability to express themselves.
The excitement for patrons was enormous however with the issue always in doubt. Naomh Abán did better in the early stages with two early points scored by Colm Ó Murchú boosting their morale and the opening minor could have been a goal.
Macroom’s Cul Baire Declan Kiely did well to push powerful drive over the bar. The latter were finding it hard to make progress in attack at that stage when they were wide of the post on six occasions.
It was a source of relief to Macroom when defender David Cotter raised a white flag in the 16th minute to open their account and their fortunes improved subsequently. Stalwart performer Fintan Goold stood out in the second quarter when he scored four points and they were not flattered to lead 0-7 to 0-5 at the short whistle Macroom’s wides total was nine at that stage.
Five minutes into the second moiety the Ballyvourney side were on level terms following points from Micheál Ó Croinín and Donncha Ó Ceocháin, but Macroom responded promptly with two points from substitute Alan Quinn.
The sides were again level when Micheál Ó Laoire and Ó Croinín raised white flags for Naomh Abán and a subsequent exchange of points between Pa Lucey and Seamus Ó Laoire still left the sides all squares following 50 minutes of action.
A minute later Fintan Goold and Muiris Ó Donnchú were presented with red cards following some off the ball incident and one wondered if Goold’s absence would be a significant set back to Macroom.
Naomh Abán were next to score when a Donncha Ó Ceocháin point put them ahead, but Sean Kiely equalised three minutes from full-time. Micheál Ó Liatháin appeared to have won the game for Naomh Abán when he was on target in the 59th minute but a last ditch attacking effort by Macroom yielded a free.
It was 45 meters from the opposing goal but Pa Lucey off the ground sent the football between the uprights. Extra time had consequently to be undertaken by the participants and Naomh Abán went on the offensive.
They scored two points to greatly enhance their prospects of victory. Alan Quinn got point back for Macroom seconds before the first extra time period ended and the same player equalised shortly after the restart.
Four minutes into the second period David Horgan for Macroom scored the all important winning point as neither side managed to change the score board during the remaining playing time.