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Irish Examiner
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Cork Premier SHC: Muskerry have too much firepower for UCC
Cork Premier SHC Divisions/Colleges semi-final: Muskerry 4-15 UCC 0-21 Muskerry had too much firepower for UCC in a low-key Co Op Superstores Divisions/Colleges Senior hurling championship semi-final at Riverstown on Sunday. The winners led by the inspirational Aghabullogue talisman Matthew Bradley who finished the evening with a 1-9 tally had too much pace and firepower for the students' defence. UCC have been competitive in the Cork senior hurling championship for many years and won the title in 1963 and 1970. Coincidentally, the last time they won the championship in 1970 they defeated Muskerry 2-12 to 0-15 in a game that was played at the old Athletic Grounds. It was the first time that Muskerry competed in the Cork final and they were denied the elusive double as they won the football equivalent in that year. Over the years the Cork college have had notable players like Joe Deane, James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, Ray Cummins, Nicky English and Tommy Walsh don the jersey. The also have 43 Fitzgibbon titles at university level but in recent years they have struggled to make an impression in the top tier of Cork hurling. It only took Muskerry 30 seconds to open proceedings courtesy of a classy James Foley point. The students were soon back on parity, but they were stunned into submission in the third minute with a superb Muskerry goal. Colm O'Callaghan gathered the ball 40 yards from goal as he showed incredible pace before unleashing an unstoppable shot to the corner of the net. UCC looked useful going forward and three consecutive points brought the minimum between the teams in the 12th minute. Credit to Muskerry, they responded in style and once again it was O'Callaghan who showed tremendous pace and craft to assist a pinpoint pass to James Lane who placed the ball to the empty net. At times UCC played some free-flowing hurling but they lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. The college half-forward Mark Mahony from the Waterford club An Rinn had a great goal opportunity but he placed his shot to the side netting. In truth Muskerry forwards were moving far quicker as the UCC defence were struggling to restrict them. In the closing minutes Bradley and O'Callaghan continued to cause the students' defence havoc with their movement and it was no surprise the divisional side went in at the break commanding a seven-point lead - 2-10 to 0-9. UCC, helped by some classy play from Fionn Desmond, gave themselves a lift as he drilled over consecutive points and was unlucky not to raise a green flag but his goal attempt was superbly saved by the Muskerry keeper. On the rare occasion UCC threatened a mini-revival, Muskerry responded in style and two more goals from James Foley and Bradley well and truly killed off the tame students' challenge. Scorers for Muskerry: M Bradley 1-9 (0-6f), C O'Callaghan 1-4, J Lane 1-1, J Foley 1-0, S Tarrant 0-1. Scorers for UCC: A O'Sullivan 0-9 (0-8f),M Mahony 0-5, E Coughlan 0-3, F Desmond 0-2, M Murphy, S Daly (0-1 each). MUSKERRY: J Walsh (Grenagh); P O'Sullivan (Aghabullogue), C Timmons (Aghabullogue), R Honohan (Donoughmore); M Brady (Éire Óg), C McGoldrick (Éire Óg), W Aherne (Cloughduv); S Tarrant (Aghabullogue), M O'Connell (Dripsey); S Joyce (Grenagh), J Foley (Aghabullogue), C O'Callaghan (Éire Óg); M Bradley (Aghabullogue), J Lane (Aghabullogue), D Twomey (Grenagh). Subs: O O'Shea (Éire Óg) for S Joyce (37), K Murphy (Ballinora) for D Twomey (37), T Twomey (Grenagh) for C Timmons (48), A Dinan (Donoughmore) for C O'Callaghan (58). UCC: F O'Brien (Bruree); R Quinlan (Whites Cross), K Lyon (Ballygarvan), J Byrne (Ballinora); D Scully (Dromina Athlaca), E Guinane (Valley Rovers), S Murnane (St Colum's); S Daly (Randal Og), F Desmond (Ballymartle); T Hourigan (Pallasgreen), A O'Sullivan (Ballinhassig), M Mahony (An Rinn); J Murray (Youghal), E Coughlan (Whites Cross), M Murphy (Kinsale). Subs: C O'Mahony (Ballygunner) for J Murray ((37), D Mulholland (Rower-Inistogue) for M Murphy (40), E Fogarty (Thurles Sars) for M Mahony (50), J Doyle (Bennetsbridge) for D Scully (50). Referee: Ian McCarthy (Bandon).
Irish Examiner
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Fluid and polished Charleville in control throughout in 11-point victory over Newcestown
Cork Premier SHC: Charleville 2-23 Newcestown 0-18 This had the feel of a decisive two points banked by Charleville. The opening weekend though it is, Group B has already taken shape and doesn't look for bending. Charleville were in control of this fixture from the seventh minute. They finished 11 in front. They move on to the North Cork derby with Newtownshandrum in a fortnight's time full of confidence and assured in the knowledge that if they bank another two points there, they'll reach a first quarter-final since 2023 with a round to spare. For Newcestown, their championship appears over no sooner than it threw in. Their next assignment is Midleton. Failing a sizable shock there, they'll require Newtown to better Charleville before they themselves must better Newtown on the final day. And even at that, their score difference, currently at -11, would likely come against them. In sum, Newcestown are in trouble. Newcestown were in trouble turning around. They had the breeze behind them in the opening half. But the interval scoreline showed them 1-11 to 0-9 behind. They'd registered seven first half wides and had a pair of green flag opportunities, struck by Seamus O'Sullivan and Colm Dinneen, saved and repelled by Charleville goalkeeper Conor Reynolds. Gearóid O'Donovan's touch-tight marking job on Darragh Fitzgibbon had kept the Cork senior to one first-half point from play, even if the All-Star did win a free and smartly linked the play at other times. Newcestown's difficulties were elsewhere. And they were many. The movement of the Charleville players, especially from the half-forward line, consistently saw lines broken and overlaps created. Sean Bresnan, in particular, was so effective in this regard, as was Jack Callaghan surging from midfield. Their opening goal seven minutes in stemmed from one such running play. Darragh Fitzgibbon played through Callaghan who played through Daniel O'Flynn. This sequence of passes was reversed for a Fitzgibbon white flag immediately after. A third consecutive Callaghan assist, this time for Sean Bresnan, surged Charleville 1-3 to 0-2 clear on 11 minutes. Charleville's Daniel O'FLynn celebrates his goal. Picture: David Keane Newcestown never came closer than a goal. Reynolds denied them the green flag comeback momentum they so desperately craved. Luke Meade was pushed from centre-back to midfield to increase his involvement and increase their middle third creativity. Two Richard O'Sullivan frees once again brought Newcestown within three at the beginning of the second period. Darren Butler cleared a Luke Meade looping effort off the line. Newcestown just couldn't find a straight road back into proper contention. Darragh Fitzgibbon then began to roam and Charleville began to slowly edge into a space where their into-the-elements opponents could not reach them. Fitzgibbon forcing a turnover led to their opening point of the second period. His second from play of the second period was a down the sideline strike that shoved the difference out to seven, 1-18 to 0-14, on 52 minutes. Where Newcestown relied far too heavily on the placed-ball work of Richard O'Sullivan for scores, Charleville got 1-3 from their bench. Tim Hawe, set up by fellow sub Darren Casey, goaled on 59 minutes. Another replacement Conor Buckley raised three white flags upon his introduction, the last of which was a sublime piece of skill off the hurl. Not even a Fitzgibbon penalty saved by Cathal Wilson at the death could take any of the shine off a terribly fluid and polished Charleville start. Scorers for Charleville: D Fitzgibbon (0-11, 0-6 frees, 0-1' 65); D O'Flynn (1-2); C Buckley (0-3); T Hawe (1-0); Z Biggane, S Bresnan (0-2 each); R Carroll (free), J Callaghan, G Kelleher (0-1 each). Scorers for Newcestown: R O'Sullivan (0-10, 0-7 frees, 0-2 '65); S O'Sullivan, D Buckley (0-2 each); L Meade (free), E Kenneally, C Dinneen, C Hurley (0-1 each). CHARLEVILLE: C Reynolds; D Butler, J Meade, A Dennehy; F Cagney, J Buckley, R Carroll; C O'Carroll, J Callaghan; Z Biggane, S Bresnan, D Fitzgibbon; D Forde, D O'Flynn, G Kelleher. Subs: T Hawe for O'Flynn (43); C Buckley for Kelleher (46); A Cagney for Forde (50); D Casey for Bresnan (51); O O'Connell for O'Carroll (55). NEWCESTOWN: C Wilson; M McSweeney, E Collins, J Kelleher; Colm O'Donovan, L Meade, G O'Donovan; C O'Sullivan, R O'Sullivan; S O'Sullivan, J Meade, C Dinneen; D Buckley, E Kenneally, S O'Donovan. Subs: C O'Neill for McSweeney (38); C Hurley for S O'Sullivan (46, inj); Ciarán O'Donovan for S O'Donovan (54, inj). Referee: W King.
Irish Examiner
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
O'Halloran goal proves key as Rockies keep Kanturk at arm's length
Cork Premier SHC: Blackrock 1-20 Kanturk 0-18 A Michael O'Halloran goal early into the second half proved crucial as Blackrock defeated Kanturk by five points in the Co-Op SuperStores Premier SHC Group 3 Round 1 clash at Mallow on Saturday evening. The outcome of this game was not known until very late into the second half in what was an enjoyable affair. The Rockies only led by three points at half-time and could never shake off their stubborn opposition, it was a display that they won't be too pleased with, but a win is a win. O'Halloran's goal early into the second 30 minutes was a vital score that gave the Rockies the platform to keep Kanturk at arm's length. To be fair, Kanturk battled gamely and if it wasn't for some poor shooting, it could have been closer. They weren't helped with a number of crucial absentees including Ryan and Colin Walsh. They did play the closing stages with 14 players after a Tommy Walsh red card. In a repeat of last year's quarter-final, which Blackrock won by eight points, this latest one took some time to settle given difficult wind conditions. Cork senior hurler Alan Connolly did give the Rockies an early lead with a point over the shoulder, but Rory Sheahan (free) and a Brian O'Sullivan effort was a result of a positive Kanturk opening, 0-2 to 0-1 after six minutes. Alan O'Callaghan and John Cashman helped Blackrock gain a foothold in defence, as they put together five unanswered white flags. Tadhg Deasy hit two long range efforts and it was 0-6 to 0-2 after 10 minutes. The sides traded points before Kanturk had their own period of dominance. With Brian O'Sullivan busy around midfield and Kanturk now after getting a handle on Blackrock's sweeper, the Duhallow team hit three unanswered points, Sheahan with two frees and an Ian Walsh effort leaving them a point behind. Jamie Harrington's outfit were playing within themselves even if Kanturk were giving as good as they got. Blackrock did land three of the next four points with Alan Connolly tapping over two frees, but he was well marked by Cork senior footballer Tommy Walsh. The score was 0-10 to 0-7 after 25 minutes. O'Sullivan struck over a fantastic point for Kanturk, but Blackrock were getting their scores easier and got two of the last three white flags of the half to lead 0-12 to 0-9 at half-time. It was a fast start to the new half with four shots four scores three minutes into the second half, shared evenly, 0-14 to 0-11. A crucial score did come after 35 minutes when Michael O'Halloran finished brilliantly into the top corner of the Kanturk net after a neat team move. O'Sullivan did point for Kanturk, but their opposition were definitely turning the screw. Kevin O'Keeffe and a long range free from goalkeeper Gavin Connolly pushed their team 1-16 to 0-12 clear. An O'Sullivan free was much needed for Kanturk followed by a Sheahan free, but they required a goal that didn't look like coming. The teams did trade white flags, as Blackrock led 1-17 to 0-15 with 13 minutes remaining. The game tipped away as the sides kept cancelling each other out, which suited the Rockies as they remained in control. They led 1-19 to 0-17 after 55 minutes. A Robbie Cotter point was an important one to give Blackrock that small bit more of a breathing space before Walsh was given a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident four minutes from time. A Sheahan free did reduce the deficit down to five points late on for Kanturk, but they had run out of time despite Paul Walsh's best attempts to get a goal in the dying embers. The Rockies face St Finbarr's in their next group game in a fortnight in what should be a tasty one. Kanturk will have to regroup as they take on Douglas. Scorers for Blackrock: A Connolly 0-5 (0-4 f), M O'Halloran 1-2, R Sweeney 0-3, R Cotter, T Deasy, K O'Keeffe 0-2 each, G Connolly (f), N Cashman, D O'Farrell, D Meaney 0-1 each. Scorers for Kanturk: R Sheahan 0-8 (0-6 f), B O'Sullivan 0-7 (0-4 f), D Browne, I Walsh, L McLoughlin 0-1 each. BLACKROCK: G Connolly; J Ryan, A O'Callaghan, S Murphy; C Cormack, J Cashman, T Deasy; N Cashman, D O'Farrell; R Sweeney, K O'Keeffe, D Meaney; M O'Halloran, A Connolly, R Cotter. Subs: P Linehan for K O'Keeffe, O McAdoo for D O'Farrell (both 42). KANTURK: G Bucinskas; J McLoughlin, M Healy, C Mullane; L McLoughlin, D Browne, T Walsh; P Walsh, B O'Sullivan; I Walsh, J Fitzpatrick, L O'Neill; R Sheahan, A Walsh, D O'Connell. Subs: No subs made. Referee: Pa O'Driscoll (Bride Rovers).
Irish Examiner
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Bursts of brilliance enough as Lehane leads Midleton past Newtownshandrum
Cork Premier SHC: Midleton 0-24 Newtownshandrum 0-19 No change in this relationship from last year's county quarter-final. Midleton remain more than a few steps ahead of Newtownshandrum. Midleton throw-in their 2025 summer with maximum points after what was a comfortable five-point win. Midleton's display was sufficient but not hectic. They came in bursts of brilliance. They found a much greater frequency than their opponents but had a hard time sustaining such. The greatest compliment that can be paid to last year's beaten county semi-finalists was that on the three second-half occasions Newtown closed to within four points, Midleton had an immediate answer. On the last of those occasions entering the final quarter, Alex Quirke and Patrick White fired over in instant succession to shove the gap back out to six and remove the last bit of resistance from the North Cork challenge. A Conor Lehane pair followed the aforementioned pair for a Midleton four-in-a-row approaching the hour and an eight-point lead. Tim O'Mahony's personal tally entering double-digits cut the final margin to five. Not a particularly close five, mind. Centre-back Cormac O'Brien was the sole player in green and gold to manage more than a solitary score from play. Preceding all that was an opening half of little intensity. And little of a contest too. An arm's length was all the time between them. As it was at the break. 0-14 to 0-9 the interval difference. Midleton hurried into a 0-7 to 0-2 advantage nine minutes in. That advantage would stretch to seven later in the half. And while the men from North Cork would narrow to four on the run into the break, there was a clear and definite gap between the sides not just on the scoreboard but in several facets of play. The scores, for one, certainly came easier to the men in black. Lehane had a pair from play clipped by the sixth minute. Cormac Beausang won the opening minute free that Lehane converted. The latter finished with a first-half total of 0-6, split evenly between play and placed ball. The former sniped a first-half pair, one less than the hat-trick of white flags raised by David Cremin. And while Luke O'Farrell was absent from the opening half scoresheet, his assist count was strong and his offloading clever and snappy. Their defence deserves mention too. Newtown's Eoin O'Mahony, Kieran O'Sullivan, and Tim O'Mahony were all blocked down when attempting white flags. Two of those blocks resulted in white flags at the opposite end of the field. Midleton make the start they wanted, even if the performance left several rooms for improvement. For Newtown, they must mine points next time out in the much-anticipated local clash with Charleville. Scorers for Midleton: C Lehane (0-9, 0-5 frees, 0-1 '65); D Cremin, C Beausang. A Quirke (0-3 each); P White (0-2); S O'Meara, T O'Connell, K McDermott, M Finn (0-1 each). Scorers for Newtownshandrum: T O'Mahony (0-11, 0-10 frees); C O'Brien (0-2); R Troy, D O'Connor, E O'Mahony, R Geary, M Ryan, T O'Neill (0-1 each). Midleton: B Saunderson; L Dineen, E Moloney, C Smyth; S O'Meara, T O'Connell, R O'Regan; A Quirke, M Finn; D Cremin, C Lehane, K McDermott; L O'Farrell, C Beausang, P White. Subs: A Daly for Quirke (6-13 mins, temporary); T O'Leary Hayes for McDermott (7 mins, inj); A Daly for Quirke (54). Newtownshandrum: J Bowles; R Troy, P O'Sullivan, T McCarthy; C Twomey, C O'Brien, K O'Sullivan; B Collins, J Geary; T O'Mahony, R Troy, D O'Connor; E O'Mahony, C Griffin, R Geary. Subs: M Ryan for Geary (HT); T O'Neill for O'Connor (39); S Minhane for C Griffin (46); J Lane for Collins (54); D Ryan for O'Sullivan (61). Referee: S Stokes.
Irish Examiner
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
St Finbarrs' forwards too strong for Douglas in Cork Premier SHC opener
Cork Premier SHC: St Finbarr's 1-25 Douglas 0-19 St Finbarr's eased to a nine-point win over southside rivals Douglas in the opening round of Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC at Páirc Uí Rinn on Friday. Much of the hard work occurred in the opening stanza and saw the 2022 winners take the game away from a rebuilding Douglas side by the 15th minute. In truth, it was a game that never got going as a contest. The Barrs were tight at the back, and their forwards – particularly Jack Cahalane, William Buckley, and Ben Cunningham – were too good for the Douglas rearguard. Cunnigham would have 0-11 by the end, Buckley got 0-7, while Cahalane registered 1-2. It's a forward line that will take some stopping in 2025. It began with that lethal Barrs attack – short of the services of Brian Hayes – clicking early and often. Cunnigham was accurate from dead balls. Jack Cahalane was buzzing around, causing bother. William Buckley was in-form too. Conor Cahalane opened the scoring, Cunningham followed with a free and a 65. Jack Cahalane would open his account between a glut of Douglas wides. It was the eighth minute by the time Joseph Harte got Douglas' first score. John Wiggington Barrett of St. Finbarrs in action against Joseph Harte, Douglas. Picture: Jim Coughlan. Slick play from the Kingston brothers – Shane and Conor – ended in a fine point for the latter. Cunnigham landed a 65, but Shane Kingston would find an immediate answer. Having stopped earlier goal attempts from both Jack and Conor Cahalane, Donal Maher was unable to stop Jack a second time. Damien Cahalane's long delivery drifted from right to left before finding its way into Jack's paw. He danced and jinked his way through the Douglas defence and finished past Maher. 1-7 to 0-3, just shy of the quarter-hour mark. Enter Barrs' centre-forward Buckley. He swapped scores with Douglas' Alan Cadogan in the 17th minute. By the time Cathal McAllister blew his whistle for half time, Buckley would have four to his name, all from play, and amidst a period of wayward shooting from both sides. Douglas would take their tally from four to six in that period, through a lovely Ronan Dooley score and a Cadogan point, but the Barrs would accumulate 1-14 by that stage. Cuningham knocked over his frees and 65s and contributed from play, Ethan Twomey – who led a mean Barrs defence, while keeping tabs on Shane Kingston - drove forward to score. The second half saw a mini Douglas resurgence, but they never looked like threatening the Barrs' lead. However, it was Buckley who opened the scoring after the interval, his fifth. It put the Barrs up 12. Ben Cunningham would keep the Barrs ticking over while the Kingstons, Conor O'Donovan and Cadogan brought a bit of Douglas fight across the opening 15 post-interval. The Barrs would squander a goal chance in the 44th minute, Sam Cunningham had the chance to really kill the game after good work from Jack O'Kelly, but the corner-forward couldn't apply the finishing touch. The Kingstons got three points in three minutes thereafter, two from Shane, one from Conor, but Cunningham would have the replies, from dead-balls and play. 1-19 to 0-13 in the Barrs' favour. Billy Hennessy wasn't to be denied a point of his own, extending the lead to 10, but Cadogan's free brought it back to single digits. Buckley would add his seventh before long. Cunnigham and more accuracy from Shane and Conor Kingston would end proceedings. The perfect start for the Barrs. Scorers for St Finbarr's: B Cunningham (0-11, 4f, 4 '65), W Buckley (0-7), J Cahalane (1-2), B Hennessy, E Twomey, C Cahalane, C Crowley, J O'Kelly (0-1 each). Scorers for Douglas: S Kingston (0-7, 2f, 1 '65), C Kingston (0-5), A Cadogan (0-3, 2f), J Harte, Conor O'Donovan, Cillian O'Donovan, R Dooley (0-1 each). ST FINBARR'S: S Hurley; E Keane, J Burns, C Doolan; D Cahalane, E Twomey, B Hennessy; C Walsh, J Wigginton Barrett; J O'Kelly, W Buckley, C Cahalane; S Cunningham, B Cunningham, J Cahalane. Subs: C O'Connor for J Cahalane (15-20, temporary), C Crowley for C Walsh (50). DOUGLAS: D Maher; D Murphy, B O'Neill, K McSweeney; E O'Flynn, M Howell, C O'Donovan; D Kelly, A O'Connell; C Kingston, S Kingston, J Harte; A Cadogan, C O'Donovan, R Dooley. Subs: J O'Callaghan Maher for Murphy (20, injured), B O'Connor for C O'Donovan (52). Referee: C McAllister (Aghada).
