Cullyhanna 1-8 Cill na Martra 0-7

Cullyhanna were crowned All-Ireland Intermediate Club champions with a fine display against Cork’s Cill na Martra. A first half goal from Aidan Nugent proved the crucial score as St Pat’s saw out a four-point win.

John Evans side were left to rue a number of gilt-edged chances as his side kicked 16 wides, dropped three shots short and had a couple of efforts on goal cleared away.

The Cullyhanna attack struggled during the early exchanges to really impose themselves on the game, and coughed up plenty of possession before Gary Mackin, a late addition to the starting line-up, replied with a point to Antóin Ó Cuana’s early score.

Indeed, Cill na Martra passed up a good few opportunities to raise white flags, hitting six wides and dropping another short inside the opening ten minutes, although Daniel Ó Duinnín did double their lead.

Pearse Casey got them back on level terms and could have put his side ahead. The skipper caught a Ross McQuillan 45 that dropped short, but his effort was pushed away by goalkeeper Pádraig Ó Críodán.

Talisman Aidan Nugent put them ahead before Neil McCreesh played Nugent through for the game’s opening goal. Ciarán Ó Duinnín and Colm Mac Lochlainn both traded scores with Nugent as Cullyhanna carried a 1-5 to 0-4 lead into the break.

Both sides were extremely wasteful at the start of the second half, but Mac Lochlainn finally broke the deadlock after eight minutes.

Gavan Duffy replied for St Patrick’s, assisted by his older brother Jason before Shea Hoey put them five clear. Mac Lochlainn added his third for Cill na Martra, which was cancelled out by Jason Duffy as Cullyhanna claimed the crown.

Cullyhanna Scorers: Aidan Nugent 1-3 (2f), Gary Mackin 0-1, Pearse Casey 0-1, Gavan Duffy 0-1, Shea Hoey 0-1, Jason Duffy 0-1.

Cill na Martra Scorers: Colm Mac Lochlainn 0-3, Ciarán Ó Duinnín 0-2, Antóin Ó Cuana 0-1, Daniel Ó Duinnín 0-1.