Cill na Martra win Munster Intermediate Club Football Final 2023
Cill na Martra celebrating their victory over Mungret in the AIB Munster Club Intermediate Football Championship Final, at Mallow.
Picture: David Keane.
Echo Sport
10.12.2023
Match report from Irish Examiner
Cill na Martra ended a 10-year wait for Cork clubs when they claimed the AIB Munster club IFC title at Mallow on Sunday with a comprehensive win over Mungret St Paul’s.
Once they developed early momentum, there was no question of who would be crowned champions, most of the damage was done in a wind-assisted opening half. County player Dan Ó Duinnín among those to shine with a return of 2-2.
The John Evans coached team had already been installed as hot favourites following the dismissal of Kerry’s Milltown-Castlemaine in the semi-final, and they certainly lived up to the billing.
They were on bonus territory before any ball was thrown-in with captain Gearóid Ó Goillidhe having his red card overturned following a successful appeal.
Mungret St Paul’s, meanwhile, situated on the outskirts of Limerick city, were looking for a first provincial crown at this level for a Limerick club, but this now means a sixth runners-up spot for the Shannonsiders despite a good fightback in the second-half.
With the strong wind blowing straight down the field and in favour of Cill na Martra, it was a factor as the mid Cork side opened the scoring just 20 seconds in when Dan Ó Duinnín teed up Michael Ó Deasúna.
A short kick-out that didn’t go to plan provided the next score when Maidhcí Ó Duinnín intercepted in the second minute.
The flow of scores continued, this time Ó Deasúna from a ’45 following a goal-shot that was diverted out over the end line by James Garvey.
Ó Deasúna kicked another huge point, before a trademark white flag from centre-back Seán Ó Fórréidh – who saw out the final couple of minutes from the sideline following a black card – put them five points to nil up after quarter of an hour.
Mungret St Paul’s spurned chances and at the other end they were under severe pressure every time Cill na Martra went forward, Brian Barry and goalkeeper Ronan McElligott coming to the rescue, as the momentum remained with the Gaeltacht men.
Another brace of points arrived before the floodgates opened.
In the 21st minute, Dan Ó Dunnín pounced for the first goal, Mungret failing to clear their lines.
It was the 24th minute before Mungret St Paul’s got on the scoreboard through Brendan Giltinane.
The joy was short, as a minute later Maidhcí Ó Duinnín liked with Dan Ó Duinnín for Cill na Martra’s second goal, and they added another brace of points to leave the half-time score 2-9 to 0-1.
The influential Dan Ó Duinnín was involved in a brilliant team move that ended with a third goal six minutes after the restart.
With the wind behind them, Mungret St Paul’s did make a bit more headway through points from captain John Hutton (3), Liam Harrington, Diarmaid Hynes and Shane Barry. the score at the three-quarter mark, 3-11 to 0-7.
In a dominant spell, their seventh successive point from midfielder Darragh O’Hagan further closed the gap.
Whilst the Cill na Martra scores dried up somewhat, they had done enough, the bench starting to empty on the stretch.
: D Ó Duinnín (2-2), M Ó Duinnín (1-2), M Ó Deasúna (0-4, 0-1 free, 0-1 ’45), D Ó hUrdail (0-2), S Ó Fórréidh and C Ó Duinnín (0-1 each).
: J Hutton (0-4, 0-3 frees), B Giltiinane, S Barry, D O’Hagan, L Harrington and D Hynes (0-1 each).
P Ó Críodáin; C Mac Lochlainn; T Ó Corcora, F Ó Faoláin; D Ó Conaill, S Ó Fórréidh, C Ó Fórréidh; A Ó Cuana, G Ó Goillidhe (Capt); D Ó Duinnín, C Ó Duinnín, D Ó hUrdail; M Ó Duinnín, M Ó Deasúna, F Ó hÉalaithe.
S Ó Duinnín for M Ó Deasúna (54), G Ó Mocháin for F Ó Faoláin (56), C Ó Meachair for M Ó Duinnín (58), D Mac Lochlainn for D Ó hUrdail (60), E Ó Conaill for A Ó Cuana (62).
: R McElligott; J Hassett, R Hegarty, L Harrington; F Corcoran, J McCarthy, J Garvey; C Deane, D O’Hagan; J Killian, J Hutton (Capt), B Barry; B Giltenane, S Barry, D Bridgeman.
D Hynes for C Deane, O Moss for J Garvey (both half-time), T Lloyd for J Killian (38), E Ryan fort B Giltenane (48), D O’Sullivan for S Barry (55).
Brendan Griffin (Kerry).
