Kanturk make big statement in Cill win
Cill na Martra 0-13 Kanturk 3-8
TWO goals in quick succession helped Kanturk deliver a power packed performance to grind down Cill Na Martra in a hot competitive quarter-final at a rain-drenched Millstreet on Saturday last.
On doing so, Kanturk performed the business in extremely unfavourable conditions, wind and driving rain made it difficult yet there was no doubting the commitment of both sides. Indeed Kanturk deserved their success if only for the manner in which they refused to be ruffled after Cill na Martra threatened to snatch the initiative either side of the interval.
Goals win matches and here, Kanturk possessed all the trump cards, holding a greater punch up front to deliver three telling strikes. Last season’s County IFC kingpins Cill na Martra gave a decent account of themselves and might well had got a return if they possessed more penetration.
However, the Gaeltacht side came up short in the crucial areas of physique and teamwork where at key stages, Kanturk pushed home their advantage thanks in no small part by a brace of goals in a two minute spell midway through the second half.
From a highly entertaining encounter, an all round Kanturk team performance surfaced, underlined by a remarkable work ethic in wretched weather conditions allows Kanturk progress much to the joy of manager Jerome Walsh.
Indeed a slicker and physically stronger Kanturk carried too much stamina, helped enormously by those three goals that provided the demolition job on serious opposition.
“They say goals win matches, they came at vital stages to turn the game in our favour. Our last football championship game was against Castletownbere in April, much of the intervening spell was devoted to senior hurling for eight weeks,” he said.
Kanturk performed the business in unfavourable and miserable conditions, an afternoon of rain and high wind militated against fancy football yet the Duhallow side adapted much better.
“It was back to football for the past three weeks, the boys are refreshed, capable of playing in any conditions, every week, they appear to be getting better. Once we were in the hunt at half time, we were capable of pushing on in the second half, we opened up the Cill na Martra defence,” said Walsh.
From the outset, Kanturk made light of the conditions and rushed into an early 0-5 to 0-1 lead with the Walsh brothers Paul and Ian contributing as did Cork Under 20 player Daniel O’Connell with three.
Only the woodwork denied Kanturk more opportunities such was their domination, their lead might be greater. Cill na Martra got to grips with the situation, their confidence boosted on points from Shane and Dan Ó Duinnín along with a Micheál Ó Deasúna effort that forced parity.
Kanturk reasserted themselves, Aidan Walsh initiated a move for cousins Ian and Ryan combine for Aidan to accept the return pass to net. Again Cill na Martra remained in the hunt, Tadgh Ó Corcora and Ó Deasúna pointing to trim the arrears 1-5 to 0-7 at the break.
On the restart, Cill na Martra took up where they left off, effective substitute Damien Ó hUrdail pointed back to back. At this stage, Kanturk had fallen behind yet they ratcheted up the intensity and two goals in as many minutes determined the ultimate outcome. Initially, good work from Ian Walsh allowed O’Connell avail of the advantage rule to net.
And Walsh turned executioner, a Mark Healy free saw James Fitzpatrick feed the ball into danger man to steer low to the net. Key Cill na Martra sub O hUrdail shaped up well in attack to land his third point, their best chance of a goal saw another substitute Maidhchí Ó Duinnín force a terrific save from Kanturk ‘keeper Jordan Fullerton.
Despite the conditions, this was a contest right out of the top drawer for the grade, Cill na Martra remained in the hunt from points to Máirtín Ó Conchúir and Ó Deasúna only for Kanturk to remain a safe distance ahead courtesy of points to team captain Mark Healy and Lorcan O’Neill.
At the end of a saturated hour Kanturk were the driving seat to secure a semi final date with St. Michaels.
KANTURK: J Fullerton; J McLoughlin, D Browne, D O’Connor; A Sheehy, L O’Neill 0-1, L McLoughlin; A Walsh 1-0, P Walsh 0-1; M Healy 0-1f, R Walsh, D O’Connell 1-3; C Clernon, I Walsh 1-2, J Fitzpatrick Subs: J Carver for A Sheehy (44inj), L O’Keeffe for C Clernon (57)
CILL NA MARTRA: A Ó Conaill; D Mac Lochlainn, G Ó Mocháin, E Ó Loingsigh; S Ó Fóirréidh 0-1, N Ó Laoire, S Ó Céilleachair; G Ó Goillidhe, F Ó hÉalaithe; D Ó Duinnín, M Ó Deasúna 0-4(0-2f, 0-1’45), D Ó Conail; C Ó Duinnín 0-1, T O Corcora 0-1, S Ó Duinnín 0-2 Subs: D Ó hUrdail 0-3 for F Ó hÉalaithe (22), M Ó Conchúir 0-1 for C Ó Duinnín (ht), C Ó Laoire for S Ó Foirréidh (48), M Ó Duinnín for S Ó Duinnín (52), G Ó Faoláin for D Ó Connaill (55)
REFEREE: M Sheehan (Liscarroll).