Aghabullogue return to Premier IFC final after nailbiting encounter against Naomh Abán
They were in front by two clear goals and the final 10 minutes left to play, but Naomh Abán came with a late flourish that yielded four unanswered points. They had done really well to turn around the deficit, but they just couldn’t fashion the levelling scores. To be fair though, it would have been hard on Aghabullogue who were never led, because their usual tenacity and will-to-win was evident from the throw-in with none other than inspirational captain John Corkery, who was a doubt due to injury, landing the opening point. It was blow for blow until Luke Casey got in for the first of his two goals in the 11th minute. A soccer player of note, he squeezed his shot through a narrow gap, but there will surely be questions asked in Naomh Abán as to how it was conceded. A two-pointer free from Maidhc Ó Duinnín and a point from Darragh Ó Laoire levelled the match, 1-2 to 0-5 at the end of the quarter. The game swung from side to side until Casey found the net again on the stroke of half-time - the green flag was raised following a marvellous long delivery from the industrious Matthew Bradley. Paul Ring picked up a yellow card for an off-the-ball incident prior to the goal, as he side went to the dressing room 2-5 to 0-8 ahead. Last season’s finalists Aghabullogue made their presence felt from the resumption, this despite Donncha Ó Ceocháin restarting the scoreboard. Aaron O’Sullivan and a trio of impressive Bradley points saw them take control, 2-9 to 0-9 midway through the half. The third point came after goalkeeper Micheál Ó Dunnchú was penalised for taking too much time over his kick out. A Caoimhín Ó Dunnchú point, set up by Ed Ó Mír, helped them regroup. Ó Mír continued the rally when he converted a free to cut the deficit to four. A brilliant two-pointer free from Evan O’Sullivan interrupted their run. They bounced back once more through Micheál Ó Liatháin (2) and Ó Mír, 2-11 to 0-14. The introduction of Dhani Merrick raised Aghabullogue team spirits as the clock went into overtime. They were put to the pin of their collar when Dónal Ó Ceallaigh pointed in stoppage. A two-point game now as Naomh Abán travelled back and forth around the arc. Tom Long intercepted and that was that. Another mid Cork derby awaits in the final after Uibh Laoire defeated Aghada. Next weekend Aghabullogue will turn their attention to hurling when they contest the Cork IAHC final against Bandon. Scorers for Aghabullogue: L Casey 2-0, M Bradley 0-6 (0-1f 2pt, 0-1 free), E O’Sullivan 0-2f (2pt), A O’Sullivan 0-1, J Corkery 0-1 and P Ring 0-1. Scorers for Naomh Abán: E Ó Mír 0-4 (2f), M Ó Duinnín 0-3 (1f, 1x2pt), D Ó Laoire 0-2, M Ó Liatháin 0-2, D Ó Ceocháin 0-1, D Ó Ceallaigh 0-1, A Ó Luasa 0-,C Ó Donnchú 0-1. AGHABULLOGUE: J Buckley; T Long, C Smyth, P Dilworth; P Ring, S Tarrant, B O’Sullivan; C Gillespie, A Murphy; A O’Sullivan, J Corkery (Capt), P O’Sullivan; M Bradley, E O’Sullivan, L Casey. Subs: C O’Sullivan for P O’Sullivan (55), O O’Connell for A O’Sullivan (57), D Merrick for J Corkery (60). NAOMH ABÁN: M Ó Donnchú; S (Jim) Hendy, C Ó Déasunaigh, C de Róiste; J Ó Donnchú, D (Mickey) Ó Loingsigh (Capt), É Ó Criodáin; S Ó Riordáin, C Ó Donnchú; A Ó Luasa, M Ó Duinnín, D Ó Ceocháin; D Ó Ceallaigh, D Ó Laoire, E Ó Mír. Subs: M Ó Liatháin for M Ó Duinnín (43), C de hÍde for É Ó Criodáin (45), N Ó Ceallaigh for D Ó Ceocháin (49), W MacCarthaigh for C Ó Dunnchú (55), M Ó Criod for C de Róiste (63). Referee: Liam O’Shea (Carbery Rangers).
