Cussen is superb as Glanmire turn on style

A HUGE statement of intent from red-hot Glanmire in Mayfield yesterday, as they powered past Ballinora in a one-sided Evening Echo Cork Co Premier IFC clash (0-17 to 0-7).

It was all over once last year's beaten finalists went into overdrive in the second quarter.

Glanmire were reported to be short at least five first team players. However, on this evidence, there will be a real battle for places for there was hardly a weak link in a free flowing unit that took their scores with aplomb - 16 of them from play.

With Michael Cussen superb at midfield, kicking three points, and James Murphy a thorn in the Ballinora defence with seven points, Ballinora were fighting a losing battle and will need to have a stronger team on duty for their backdoor clash with Mayfield.

Scorers: Glanmire: J. Murphy 0-7 (0-1 free), M. Cussen 0-3, D. Molden, K. Mulvihill 0-2 each, F. O'Reilly, T. Drinan, B. O'Callaghan 0-1 each. Ballinora: E. Lougheed (frees), G. O'Halloran (0-1 free) 0-2 each, D. O'Neill, C. O'Shea, C. Sheehan 0-1 each.

A WINNING Evening Echo Cork Co IFC debut for Ballyclough at Rathcormac on Saturday 1-13 to 3-5, where, inspired by tasty Cork minor corner - forward Colm O'Neill, they knocked Delanys out of their stride with a terrific opening 20 minutes spell in which they powered nine points clear. Despite Conor Foley being sent off for a second yellow and Brian Carr following with a straight red, Delanys gave Ballyclough plenty to think about before booking their passage.

Scorers: Ballyclough: P. O'Flynn 1-4 (0-3 frees), C. O'Neill 0-6, T. O'Connor 0-3. Delanys: M. O'Driscoll 1-2 (0-2 frees), W. Coughlan (pen), G. Coughlan 1-0 each, P. O'Connell 0-2 (0-1, free, 0-1 '45), D. Power 0-1.

KINSALE made a spectacular return to the Cork County IFC with a classic smash-and-grab first round victory, 2-12 to 1-9, over Cill na Martra at Ballincollig on Saturday.

In junior ranks for decades, Kinsale took the step-up in style and lightning fast goals from centre-forward Padraig Buckley and wing forward Fergus O'Callaghan laid the foundations for their richly deserved success.

Scorers: Kinsale: P. Buckley 1-2; F. O'Callaghan 1-1; K. Cahill 0-4 (0-2 from frees); R. O'Sullivan 0-3; C. O'Brien 0-2 (0-1 from free). Cill na Martra: R. Hoare 1-5 (0-3 from frees); B. Lynch, C. O'Leary, M. Connors and D. Buckley 0-1 each.

IT might defy logic, but both Carrigaline and Castletownbere appeared upbeat with this 1-5 to 0-8 Cork Co IFC stalemate at Ballingeary on Saturday.

Full-forward Daniel Twomey was the goalscorer for Carrigaline but Castletownbere deserved another day out.

Scorers: Carrigaline: D Twomey 1-0, B O'Keeffe 0-3 (0-2 frees), N Murphy and E O'Keeffe 0-1 each. Castletownbere: S O'Regan, D Nolan and B O'Regan 0-2 each, D O'Sullivan and A O'Sullivan 0-1 each.