U21 Football Championship

Macroom    0-8     Blarney   1-4

In a very exciting and closely contested semi-final final game at a heavy Blarney pitch Macroom came out on top by the narrowest of margins, the winning point coming well into added time after the sides had finished level as the clock ticked over the sixty minutes mark and the referee announced at least four more minutes would be played.  Macroom are now through to the final against Kilmichael with memories of last year’s hectic encounter indicating another close battle.

Macroom opened the scoring with a smashing point from Cormac Burke, the Blarney ‘keeper then saved a well struck penalty kick from Oisín O’Sullivan, and Kieran Doody had a point to increase the lead in the ninth minute.  Points were exchanged, Colin Kelleher for Macroom, and Nia Koller twice saved Macroom with fine saves.  Again points were exchanged, both from frees and Macroom led by 0-4 to 0-2 at half time and were happy enough to be in front after a very even half hour.

Blarney had the advantage of the slight wind in the second half and got a point back on 40 and in a contest where score were at a premium a goal for Blarney in the 50th minute could have been the definitive score of the game as it put the home side into a two point lead, 1-3to 0-4.

The Macroom response in the closing stages was terrific as the players threw everything at the opposition in a bid to save the day.  Oisín O’Sullivan had a fine point on 54 and Mark Hunt levelled the scores a minute later.  Ben O’Connell set up Mark Hunt for the lead point on 57 but Blarney levelled with the clock on 60.  Three minutes into added time Oisín O’Sullivan kicked over another lead point for Macroom and they held on with marvellous defending until the final whistle brought joy... and relief.

Macroom: Nia Koller: Sam Kelleher, Liam McSweeney: Bobby Murphy, Ryan Sabas, Cormac Burke: Mark Condon, Mark Hunt: Liam Holland, Oisín O’Sullivan, Darragh Kiernan: Kieran Doody, Colin Kelleher and Ben O’Connell, Jack Sexton, Cian O’Sullivan, Cian Noonan, all effective second half substitutes.