13-07-2025
Pat Ryan gets minutes into his extended Cork panellists in League deciders
PAT RYAN took the chance to get some game time into his extended Cork panel as the finals of the Red FM Cork Hurling League took place across the weekend.
Sarsfields chose to use Cathal McCarthy and Daniel Hogan in the second half of their Division 1 final victory over a St Finbarr's side who did the same with William Buckley and Jack Cahalane. Midleton took the Division 2 title with a victory over Killeagh while in Division 3, Eoin Roche played the opening half for Bride Rovers as they bested Newcestown by 1-29 to 3-16 in the final.
In the end it took Rovers extra time to see off Newcestown at a sundrenched Riverstown, as they overturned a four-point deficit in extra time before kicking for home. Adam Walsh was their scorer in chief with 0-13, Conor Barry plundered 0-6, Louie Roche hit 1-2 while Conleith Ryan, Ronan O'Connell and David Barry all clipped 0-2. Eddie Kenneally underlined his importance to Newcestown in scoring 1-10, Jack Meade hit 1-1, including his customary sideline, while Gearóid O'Donovan raised their third green flag in extra time.
Bandon suffered disappointment for the second weekend in-a-row as Inniscarra edged them by 3-11 to 2-13 in the Division 4 final played in Ballinhassig. Andrew McCarthy's goal six minutes from time was the key score for Inniscarra as it gave them the edge in the final stages. McCarthy also hit 0-2 for the winners, Pádraig Holland scored 1-2, Mark Nagle clipped 1-1 while Joseph Enright pilfered 0-4. Michael Cahalane top scored for Bandon with 0-7, Mark Sugrue scored 1-2 while Ciarán McCarthy clipped 1-1. Bandon's disappointment in losing hurling and football finals will be offset by the promotion in both codes.
Pictured with the Red FM Div 1 Hurling league trophy were John, Orla and Hollie Crowley from Sarsfields. Picture: Howard Crowdy
Where Bandon suffered double disappointment, Aghabullogue experienced double joy as they claimed the Division 5 title to go with their Division 4 football title with a 5-14 to 1-9 win over Ballyhea in Glantane. Matthew Bradley, as he so often does, led the way for Aghabullogue by scoring 1-7, James Lane hit Ballyhea for 2-2 while Luke Casey clipped 2-1. Luke Crowley raised Ballyhea's green flag, while John Morrissey and Maurice O'Sullivan both scored 0-3.
The Division 6 final saw Glen Rovers and Cloyne clash in Caherlag with the city men earning a 1-14 to 0-16 victory. Cloyne seemed to be the stronger side for 40 minutes of this game but Evan Murphy's goal in the 41st-first minute tipped the tie in the Glen's favour. Murphy supplemented his goal with seven points while Dylan Long and Lee Quilligan both hit Cloyne for 0-2. Brian O'Shea led the charge for Cloyne with 0-9 while Conor Cahill hit 0-3 from midfield.
Finally, Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's took the Division 7 title as late goals from Gearóid O'Donovan and Caolán O'Donovan fired them to a 3-12 to 0-15 win over Killavullen in Ballyanley. Caolán O'Donovan added 0-9 to his goal for the West Cork men, Gearóid O'Donovan also clipped a point while Jamie Lucey hit Killavullen for 1-1. For Killavullen, Jamie Magner was their top man with 0-8 while Owen Magner helped himself to 0-3.
