Premier SFC: Muskerry outlast Avondhu to advance to seeded section

Muskerry: 3-16 Avondhu: 3-13 

MUSKERRY have advanced to the seeded section of the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC after getting past Avondhu at a blustery Glenville on Thursday evening.

As a result of Beara and Imokilly pulling out, this was the final of the unseeded section even though it was these two teams’ first competitive day out.

In what was an exciting affair, Muskerry went through the gears and raised goals at crucial stages and had enough in the end helped by 2-5 from Cork U20 footballer Ed Myers. The Mid-Cork division will now face either Duhallow, Carbery or UCC in the semi-final of the seeded section.

Avondhu made the better start as they led 0-4 to 0-1 after seven minutes with Mark Lenahan on fire with the Buttevant player landing three points, one coming from a free. After a ponderous start from Muskerry, they drew level after eight minutes when they were awarded a dubious penalty for an off the ball incident. Myers stepped up and made no mistake.

Points from Lenahan and Kevin Kiely restored Avondhu’s lead in what was an open and entertaining start, 0-6 to 1-1 after 12 minutes. Muskerry were looking dangerous every time they went forward and they pounced for a second goal after 14 minutes when Liam Wall bundled the ball into the back of the net.

That was the launchpad to drive on for the Mid-Cork side as they landed three of the next five points, 2-4 to 0-8. A third Muskerry goal came eight minutes before the break when Myers finished with aplomb followed by a Jack O’Donoghue effort as Conor Hurley’s side led by three points. 

Avondhu were certainly in this one and they raised a green flag after 25 minutes when the outstanding Lenahan palmed the ball into the net. But it was Muskerry who finished the half well, as they kicked four of the last five points, 3-9 to 1-9 at the break.

Wall clipped over a point for Muskerry four minutes into the second half before Avondhu scored 1-1 in two minutes, the goal coming after 37 minutes through the hard working Eoin Birchill, 3-10 to 2-10.

The sides traded the next four points before Liam O’Connor and Myers (free) stretched Muskerry’s advantage, 3-14 to 2-12 with 11 minutes remaining.

O’Connor pointed from a free for Muskerry before Avondhu scored 1-1, sub Gearóid Roche with the goal, an easy finish two minutes from time.

Muskerry settled again with a Myers free and despite late pressure from Avondhu, the Mid-Cork side held on to progress to the next stage of the competition.

Scorers for Muskerry: E Myers 2-5 (1-0 pen, 0-3 f), L Wall 1-1, L O’Connor 0-3 (0-1 f), L Twohig, D Kelly, A Quinn 0-2 each, J O’Donoghue 0-1.

Avondhu: M Lenahan 1-7 (0-4 f), E Birchill 1-1, D Hanlon (f), S Walsh 0-2 each, G Roche 1-0, K Kiely 0-1.

MUSKERRY: J Creedon (Iveleary); E Lehane (Canovee), C Roche (Naomh Abán), D O’Donovan (Iveleary); M Corrigan (Macroom), M Cronin (Macroom), E Dodd (Canovee); A Quinn (Macroom), J O’Donoghue (Naomh Abán); S O’Riordan (Iveleary), D Kelly (Naomh Abán), L Wall (Kilmurry); L O’Connor (Inniscarra), E Myers (Naomh Abán), L Twohig (Aghinagh).

Subs: L Aisling (Kilmurry) for E Dodd (h-t), J O’Dwyer (Inniscarra) for C Roche (52), K O’Connell (Donoughmore) for D Kelly (56), D Morrissey (Donoughmore) for L O’Connor (60).

AVONDHU: D O’Sullivan (Buttevant); S Murphy (Kilshannig), J Fogarty (Glanworth), M Walsh (Buttevant); E Twomey (Ballyhooly), W Fouhy (Kildorrery), J Whelan (Buttevant); S Walsh (Mitchelstown), A O’Neill (Buttevant); E Birchill (Killavullen), D Hanlon (Buttevant), L Cronin (Killavullen); K Kiely (Ballyhooly), M Lenahan (Buttevant), A Finnegan (Ballyclough).

Subs: K Cotter (Mitchelstown) for K Kiely (h-t), S Kenneally (Mitchelstown) for E Twomey (47), G Roche (Ballyhooly) for A Finnegan, P Behan (Buttevant) for L Cronin (both 56).

Referee: Eoin Coleman (Youghal).