Manley goal proves decisive as Midleton edge out Bride Rovers

A GOAL from former Cork ace Ger Manley just before the interval proved decisive as Midleton edged out Bride Rovers 1-11 to 0-12 in an exciting permanent tsb Cork County SHC clash at Ballynoe.

The teams were level five times over the 60-odd minutes, and while the hurling wasn't of a particularly high standard, there was a great edge to the all East Cork clash.

Had Midleton lost this game they would have had only themselves to blame. They hit 15 wides to just six by their opponents.

With the wind to their backs, Midleton needed to go in at the break with at least a six point advantage but the Rovers' defence, superbly led by Brendan Walsh and Pat Barry, was coping well with the pressure. However, in the remaining minute to the break, goal poacher supreme Ger Manley latched on to Brian Behan's long delivery before giving Rovers' 'keeper Denis Fitzgerald no chance, although the Magpies' 1-4 to 0-6 half-time lead didn't look to be good enough.

Scorers: Midleton: L. Walsh 0-6 (frees); G. Manley 1-0; M. O'Connell 0-3 (0-2 frees); A. Cahill, P. Smith 0-1 each. Bride Rovers: B. Johnson 0-5 (frees); R. Cahill, D. Ryan 0-2 each; T. Broderick, Brian Murphy, Barry Murphy 0-1 each.

Referee: M. Harrington (Carrigaline).

In the Premier IHC at Ballinhassig, Courcey Rovers made Bishopstown pay dearly for their defensive frailties and set up a mouth-watering south east derby clash with Ballinhassig in the quarter-final.

Two quick-fire goals from John Murphy and Seamus Hayes in the first-half, and another from Michael O'Donovan just after the restart, put the game out of Bishopstown's reach and although they steadied the ship when Cork minor Shane O'Neill moved to full-back for Toddy Cuthbert, the damage had been done and not even Conor Doyle's 49th minute goal could make a difference.

Scorers: Courcey Rovers: J. Murphy, S. Hayes, M. O'Donovan 1-1 each. N. Murphy 0-4 (0-3 frees), D. Twomey, V. Hurley (free), D. Hayes 0-1 each. Bishopstown: C. Doyle 1-0, P. Cronin 0-3 (0-2 frees, 0-1 '65), B. Cuthbert 0-2, J. Murphy, B. Healy, D. O'Mahony, S. O'Neill (free) 0-1 each,

Referee: M. Collins (Clonakilty).

AN injury time point from a free saved Duhallow at the death (2-11 to 1-14) in this permanent tsb SFC game at Coachford last night.

Douglas appeared to have this game won ­ if just by the narrowest of margins ­ when they hung on to a one point lead, 2-11 to 1-13, three minutes into injury time but, in their anxiety to retain possession in the face of a Duhallow onslaught, Ronan McCarthy was penalised for over playing the ball and when referee Niall Barrett brought the ball forward for dissent, Duhallow's sharpshooter,

Donnacha O'Connor, who had already scored from five frees, was left with a mere formality and had no difficulty slotting over the equaliser.

In terms of possession, Douglas, should have won this game but for sheer grit and persistence in the face of adversity ­ they were rocked by two spectacular goals from Barry Hanrahan ­ Duhallow deserved the draw and it would be difficult to predict the outcome of the replay.

Scorers: Douglas: B. Hanrahan 2-1, F. O'Sullivan 0-5 (0-4 frees), G. McLoughlin and J. Lane 0-2 each and E. Cadogan 0-1. Duhallow: D. O'Connor 0-8 (0-6 frees), D. O'Sullivan 0-3, R. Casey 1-0, N. O'Sullivan, S. O'Sullivan and T. O'Keeffe 0-1 each.

ALTHOUGH handicapped by the absence of injured duo Alan O'Shea and Seamus Coughlan, Macroom were never found wanting in this permanent tsb Cork County IFC game at Dromtariffe yesterday winning 1-14 to 2-7.

And with Noel Twomey excellent in attack scoring nine quality points their interval lead of 1-10 to 2-3 proved adequate in seeing off a late challenge from a Fermoy side who appeared rusty after receiving a bye since their first round defeat.

Scorers: Macroom: N Twomey 0-9 (0-1 pen), O Murphy 1-1, G Morris 0-2, M O'Sullivan and D Kelleher (45m) 0-1 each. Fermoy: N Lardner 1-1 (0-1 45m), M Kenny 1-0, P Lonergan 0-3 (frees), S Killeen 0-2, T Higgins 0-1.

Referee: J Kearney (Na Piarsaigh).