Barryroe GAA

Mardyke, 18:30PM

Echo 3/09/2025 by Denis Hurley

P2MFC: Strong start to second half stands to Ibane Gaels as they see off Na Piarsaigh

West Cork side open up lead after interval and stay on top to reach semi-finals

Ibane Gaels 1-18 (1-2-14) Na Piarsaigh 1-13 (1-1-11)

The good times continue for Ibane Gaels. After last week’s Carbery U21AFC victory, the Barryroe-Argideen Rangers combination produced a fine display to see off Na Piarsaigh at the Mardyke and reach the semi-finals of the Rebel Óg Premier 2 MFC. Leading by 0-8 to 0-7 at half-time, Ibane outscored their city opponents by 1-3 to 0-1 in the third quarter, with sub Paul Deasy influential around the middle. After Riley O’Donovan brought his tally to four points – he would finish with seven – to make it 0-11 to 0-9, the ever-dangerous Luke Murphy benefited from a Jamie Collins turnover to fire home a goal. When that was followed by a two-pointer from Conrad Murphy, the score was 1-13 to 0-9. Na Piarsaigh had not been totally outplayed in the period since half-time – Corey O’Sullivan and Jamie Coughlan had both gone close to goals – and they responded well, with a point from their key forward Luke Hurley followed by a goal from Coughlan, set up by Nathan Coffey. That left it 1-13 to 1-10 and the margin was three again as two lovely O’Donovan points were answered by a two-pointer from totemic Piarsaigh full-back Bobby Kelleher, but Ibane Gaels were able to close the game out in an assured fashion as they retained possession and picked off late points. Before the first score, the woodwork had been hit three times – twice by Piarsaigh, once by Ibane – but points from Luke Murphy and Conrad Murphy had the west Cork side off to a good start. While Jamie Coughlan opened the Na Piarsaigh account, Ibane also struck for a goal as Donagh Flynn capitalised on a defensive mix-up but goalkeeper Cian Quinn was quick off his line to make the angle narrow and the shot went wide. Having begun to gain a foothold around the middle, Na Piarsaigh profited as Hurley impressed in attack for them and it was a quick 45 by the latter to Jamie Coughlan allowed him to put them ahead for the first time, 0-4 to 0-3 after 20 minutes. While full-back Kevin Hennessy and Donagh Flynn combined for Jamie Collins to level for Ibane, a Hurley free put Na Piarsaigh back in front – however, it was to be the last time they led and Ibane made a surge. A superb two-point free by Riley O’Donovan made it 0-6 to 0-5 before Flynn’s turnover led to O’Donovan adding another and then Luke Murphy’s third of the half opened up the game’s biggest lead up to then, 0-8 to 0-5. Na Piarsaigh did finish the half with points from James Ring – who was unlucky not to goal – and Hurley, but the strong start to the second period from Ibane solidified their position and they held it to the end.

Scorers for Ibane Gaels: R O’Donovan 0-7 (1 2ptf, 0-2 f), L Murphy 1-3, C Murphy 0-4 (1 2pt), J Collins 0-3, J Twomey 0-1.

Na Piarsaigh: L Hurley 0-7 (0-5 f), J Coughlan 1-2, B Kelleher 0-2 (2pt), J Ring, C O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

IBANE GAELS: A Hunt; D Murphy, M Collins, K Hennessy; B O’Dwyer, A Fleming, S Flynn; D Dineen, C Murphy; J Twomey, L Murphy, R Hennessy; D Flynn, J Collins, R O’Donovan.

Sub: P Deasy for R Hennessy (half-time).

NA PIARSAIGH: C Quinn; D O’Leary, R Cronin, N Coffey; G Dwyer Harrington, B Kelleher, D Scanlon; C Gardiner, J Cahalane; J Ring, B Sheehan, C O’Sullivan; J Coughlan, L Hurley, J McGrath.

Subs: C O’Sullivan for Gardiner (half-time), R Quinlan for O’Leary (42), R Manley for McGrath (45), J Burke for Sheehan (35), D Casey for Manley (59, injured).

Referee: T Hanley (Inniscarra).