Éire Óg 0-13
Kanturk 0-10
Goalkeeper Chris Kelly was the hero for Éire Óg as they opened their McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC campaign with a win over Kanturk at Macroom on Friday night.
While the Ovens side had moved four points ahead through Dylan Foley in the 51st minute, it proved to be their last score of the night and their Duhallow opponents kept pressing.
Wing-back Mark Healy had been pushed up into the attack and he was fouled for a free converted by Grantis Bucinskas to leave a goal in it with four left. Then, Paul Walsh and Bucinskas found Healy in a goalscoring position – he was unable to get a shot off but was fouled. Referee Liam O’Shea gave a free initially before umpires’ advice saw a penalty become the decision – before it could be taken, jostling between the sets of players spilled over and Kanturk’s Brian O’Sullivan ended up with a red card for his troubles.
Order restored, it was Bucinskas against Kelly and the Éire Óg keeper dived to his left to keep out the shot. The final whistle brought two points for them, vital currency in a group also featuring Newmarket and last year’s Premier IFC winners Kilshannig.
Colm O’Callaghan of Éire Óg claims possession. Picture: Dan Linehan
The Castle Grounds have played host to more entertaining encounters but early-season group games are about the outcome and Harry O’Reilly’s side deserve credit for getting themselves on top and staying there.
While Johnny Galvin opened the scoring for the victors, Kanturk responded well as they made use of the breeze behind them.
After Paul Walsh’s leveller, Tommy Walsh – rampaging from a wing-back role – set up his cousin Ian Walsh to put them in front and Ian’s brother Colin made it 0-3 to 0-1 with a big effort.
Grantis Bucinskas, always a willing outlet in attack, followed a good catch with a well-taken point for a 0-4 to 0-1 lead but it was the biggest advantage they possessed. Their cause suffered as injury to Ryan Walsh meant he didn’t make half-time while his sibling Colin battled on after a first-half issue but was substituted before the final quarter.
Brian Hurley’s free for Éire Óg was followed by another that was awarded when Kanturk committed a three-up transgression and then Jack Murphy was the provider for a smart Dylan Foley leveller.
Though Bucinskas and Tommy Walsh moved Kanturk ahead again, it was the last time they led as Hurley’s point was followed by a Darragh Clifford double to end Éire Óg in with a 0-7 to 0-6 advantage.
A Bucinskas 45 tied the game on the restart but from there Éire Óg got on top around the middle and points for Hurley and Galvin might have resulted in goals but, even so, allowed them to pull clear.
Kelly with a 45, Jack Murphy and Ronan O’Toole had them 0-12 to 0-7 ahead before Ian Walsh and sub Bryan Healy gave Kanturk hope in the closing stages. They would have a chance to level but Kelly ensured it was Éire Óg’s night.
Scorers for Éire Óg: B Hurley 0-4 (0-2 f), D Foley, D Clifford (1 2pt), J Galvin 0-2 each, R O’Toole, J Murphy, C Kelly (45) 0-1 each.
Kanturk: G Bucinskas 0-4 (0-1 f, 0-1 45), I Walsh 0-2 (0-1 f), C Walsh, P Walsh, T Walsh, B Healy 0-1 each.
ÉIRE ÓG: C Kelly; M Brady, C McGoldrick, C Clifford; D McCarthy, M Griffin, H Murphy; C O’Callaghan, D Clifford; R O’Flynn, R O’Toole, J Galvin; D Foley, J Murphy, B Hurley.
Sub: D Dineen for H Murphy (15, injured).
KANTURK: R Cashman; L O’Neill, M Healy, C Mullane; T Walsh, R Walsh, J McLoughlin; A Walsh, P Walsh; L McLoughlin, B O’Sullivan, D O’Connell; G Bucinskas, C Walsh, I Walsh.
Subs: J Fitzpatrick for R Walsh (28, injured), B Healy for C Walsh (42, injured).
Referee: L O’Shea (Carbery Rangers).