Killeagh fight back in dying stages to earn a draw against UCC

Killeagh 1-12 UCC 0-15

It was a result that did not look on for three quarters of the contest, as the students, without playing to their potential, looked likely winners.

The East Cork side, however, refused to give up and after being six points down early in the second half, battled back bravely to force a replay.

Killeagh's recovery coincided with Joe Deane finally shaking off the close attention of UCC full back Johnny Crowley who held the Cork senior in a vice-like grip for long periods.

Deane's importance to Killeagh can be gleaned from his contribution of five excellent points in the second half. But it was in no way a one-man show.

Despite being hampered by a hamstring injury which threatened to keep him out of the game, Mark Landers turned in a tremendous second half, capped by a magnificent point from his own 65 which tied the game for the second time with eight minutes left.

In an overworked defence, goalkeeper Bernard Rochford proved his worth with a couple of excellent saves, a double in the closing minutes worthy of a higher stage.

Kieran Scully, Damien Irwin and Dick Walsh also kept their end up, but College contributed to their failure to win this tie with some woeful finishing. They finished the game with 19 wides to just six for their opponents.

Meanwhile, Neil Ronan again proved his worth to Ballyhea with a magnificent display of point-scoring, as the North Cork side surprisingly defeated Carbery 0-18 to 0-15 in a dreary permanent tsb Cork County SHC third round tie at Pairc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.

Rotating between centre and full-forward, Ronan was the only bright spark in a game that was as dull as dishwater and if he could transfer his club form to the county, he would be the complete article.

He contributed 13 of his side's tally, bringing to 10 his average over three championship matches this year.

Ballyhea may yet be grateful to the county board who refused their application at the beginning of the season to drop a grade.

And while their hurling still left a lot to be desired, they are through to a quarter-final tie against their own division Avondhu and they showed enough courage on Saturday night to suggest they still have plenty to offer the senior grade.

Besides Ronan, Ballyhea lacked any other serious threat in attack and it was surprising that inter-county minor Maurice O'Sullivan did not play.

Ballyhea led 0-9 to 0-7 at the break.

In the intermediate football championship, Dealnys are still on course for the double.

On a dark and dismal Saturday night in Dunmanway, there was a dreadful game of football. For their more positive attitude alone, the city side were deserving winners over Castletownbere, and now face an interesting permanent tsb Cork County intermediate semi-final clash with Newmarket, who beat them last year after two attempts.