Cullyhanna 1-08 Cill na Marta 0-07
Cullyhana made history by becoming the first team from Armagh to win an Intermediate All-Ireland title.
It was magnificent performance from the south Armagh men, as they were under the cosh from Cill na Marta in the second half who finished the game with 16 wides.
Cullyhanna were slow enough to get into the game but they dominated much of the opening half, which boded well, because they have been a second half team most of the season.
Cill na Marta may have felt a little short-changed at the break because they had twice as many wides as first half scores, although most of these were rushed.
Indeed, the Cork champions almost grabbed a goal in the opening 28 seconds but Daniel O'Dunnin screwed his shot wide. As the game progressed, Sean Og Irwin and Sean Connell in the Cullyhanna defence got to grip of Cill na Marta attack.
Although na Marta’s intentions were clear with the more natural shooting forward Graham O Mochain a late change for Danny O’Conaill.
Antoin O’Cuna opened Cill na Marta’s account, but Gary Mackin who was a late replacement for Barry McConville hit back. Daniel O’Dunnin edged the Munster men ahead but captain Pearse Casey pointed at the Hill 16 side, a shot out of nothing and then Armagh captain Aidan Nugent looked up and stroked over with 15 minutes gone.
Cill na Marta started to pack their defence, but Cullyhanna teased them out and with 20 minutes gone Micheal Murray’s shot was parried by keeper Padraig O’Criodain, young Neil McCreesh got a hand on the rebound and he guided it into the direction of Nugent who buried his shot into the net.
Ciaran O’ Duinnin and Nugent (free) traded points before Nugent’s third point after Jason Duffy was fouled gave the south Armagh men a four-point lead at the break.
It was a techy first ten minutes of the second period with Colm Mac Lochlainn the only scorer, to the close the gap, although they also registered their 11th frustrating wide and then on 42 minutes Cullyhanna corner-back Gavan Duffy restored the lead. The Cork champions dominated with Sean O’ Forreidh particularly impressive.
The following ten minutes was a barren spell for both teams as the wides racked up but as the game entered the last ten minutes Shea Hoey stroked over and immediately turned to the crowd to gain raise the noise levels.
Colm Mac Lochlainn swung over his third point of the afternoon as the Cork men tried to get reward for their second half dominance but when Jason Duffy floated over a point on third minute of additional time there was no way back for Cill na Marta, that said Cullyhanna keeper Jame Carragher had to look lively in the closing seconds, to steer Daniel O’Dunnin’s last gasp shot over the bar.
The day belonged to Cullyhanna as the celebrations begin.
Cill Na Marta: Padraig O'Criodain, Colm Mac Lochlainn (0-03), Tadgh O’Corcora, Finen O’Faolan, Graham O Mochain , Sean O’ Forreidh, Cianie O’Forreidh, Antoin O’Cuna (0-01), Gearoid O’Goillidhe, Daniel O’Dunnin (0-01), Ciaran O’ Duinnin (0-01), Damien O’Hurdail, Maidhci O’Duinnin, Michael O’Deasuna, Fionbarra O’Healaithe.
Subs used: Danny O’Conaill for M O’Deasuna (ht’), Shane O’Dunnin for D O’Hurdail (42’), Eion O’Conaill for M O’Duinnin (54’), Daire Mac Lochliann for F O’Healaithe (56’).
Cullyhana: James Carragher, Sean Og Irwin, Sean Connell, Gavan Duffy (0-01), Neil McCreesh, Michael Murray, Gary Mackin (0-01), Pearse Casey (0-01), Jason Duffy (0-01), Caolan Reavey, Shea Hoey (0-01), Ross McQuillan, Kieran McCooey, Tony Donnelly, Aidan Nugent (1-03, 0-2 frees)
Subs used: Barry McConville for N McCreesh (57’), Phelim Savage for C Reavey (63’).
Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo).
