Imokilly produce heroic finale

IN what was truly an incredible finale to an amazing match, Imokilly plucked victory from the jaws of defeat against Muskerry in the first round of the permanent tsb Cork SFC at Páirc Uí Rinn last night, winning on a 3-9 to 0-17 scoreline.

Muskerry scorched into a six-point lead after the opening quarter before Imokilly replied with a goal from Pat Ryan in the 16th minute but they trailed by 0-9 to 1-3 at the interval.

Imokilly then produced the heroics. First, O'Sullivan set up Deane for a goal. Then a short free from Deane was gathered by substitute John O'Connor and he made no mistake with a blistering drive to propel Imokilly into the lead for the first time.

Two points in rapid succession from Larry Concannon and Shane Prenderville got Muskerry back to level terms in the fiftieth minute before taking the lead. But then came Imokilly's late, late show.

Youghal last night progressed to the third round of the permanent tsb Cork SFC after a hard-fought 2-8 to 2-6 victory over St. Michael's.

Michaels' started in flying form with Wayne Sherlock very dangerous on the wing and were 1-2 to 0-0 ahead after eight minutes - the goal courtesy of Michael Mulconry. Youghal did manage to settle down and narrowed the margin to a point before the break with Michael's failing to score for a further twenty six minutes.

But Youghals' goals made the difference, their first coming from a long out-field ball that slipped through the hands of 'keeper Alan Long, and though Mulconry managed a second goal for Michael's, another defensive blip, this time by Adrian O'Keefe, allowed Conor Coleman to slide the ball home.

On Saturday, full forward Conor Cusack grabbed the headlines by scoring four goals and making the fifth, as Cloyne trounced Ballyhea (5-14 to 0-12) in the permanent tsb SHC first round replay at Kilworth.

They were level at four points apiece when Cusack struck for his first goal in the 20th minute. This was to prove to be only a temporary setback for Ballyhea however, and with Ronan unerring in his free-taking, the north Cork side stormed back to lead 0-10 to 1-6 at half-time.

But when Cusack struck home his second goal, a mere 30 seconds after the resumption, Cloyne took complete control as Ballyhea managed to score only two points in the second-half.

Cusack set-up Colm O'Sullivan for Cloyne's third goal in the 34th minute before landing his hat-trick in the 48th minute. Cusack brought the curtain down on his goal-scoring display when he kicked home his fourth goal and Cloyne's fifth in the 54th minute.

Nemo Rangers must thank their captain and goalkeeper Stephen Corkery for maintaining their interest in the IHC, after his heroics in their drawn game against Bishopstown in Brinny on Saturday, (1-8 to 3-2).

Nemo started the brighter and held a 2-1 to 0-4 lead with Cork senior footballer Alan Cronin scoring both goals for the Capwell side.

A resuscitated Bishopstown tore in to the action after the break, and Donal O'Mahony for once got the better of Corkery picking up a rebound after James Murphy's initial shot was parried by the keeper and then pounced for a few points to take the lead. However, Nemo fought brilliantly to rescue this game with a goal and point in the final quarter hour.

A much improved Mallow secured their place in Round Three of the IHC after their deserved four-point victory over St Vincent's in Blarney on Saturday (2-13 to 2-9).

Jody Hayes again was the hero - the full-forward grabbing a goal in either half. And with seasoned colleagues Ronan Sheehan, Diarmuid Kerrisk, Johnny Walsh and Fergal McCormack much to the fore, this triumph was built on an even blend of experience and strength of mind.

Kilbrittain and St Finbarr's failed to resolve an IHC contest that was always exciting and entertaining and which could have gone either way right up to the final whistle, (1-8 to 0-11).

Kilbrittain had the wind at their backs in the opening half but were never allowed to pull away.

It was a terrific second-half with the Barr's piling on the pressure from the restart and were level within ten minutes. With Kilbrittain ahead entering the final quarter Kevin Kelleher levelled the scoring in the 46th minute.

Kiskeam and Castletowbere, two teams battling for survival in the permanent tsb Cork County IFC served up an exciting hour's play at Inchigeela on Saturday before the former gained their ticket to the next round on a 0-14 to 1-7 scoreline.

Castletownbere made the better start and had 1-1 on the scoreboard before Billy Dennehy opened Kiskeam's account with a tenth minute point.

As the game progressed, the Kiskeam attack began to thrive on quality ball and hit six points without reply from the 43rd minute to progress to the next round.