McCormack supreme as Mallow cruise to victory over Newcestown

AN inspirational performance from Fergal McCormack gave Mallow victory over Newcestown in the third round of the Evening Echo Cork County Intermediate Hurling Championship at Páirc Uí Rinn last night.

McCormack scored 10 points as Mallow saw off their opponents.

Newcestown took the lead with a pointed free from corner forward Ger O’Driscoll after eight minutes. McCormack equalised for Mallow before O’Driscoll, with two further points from frees, edged Newcestown back in front. But McCormack took control at midfield and with two points in succession, levelled it in the 26th minute.

McCormack gave Mallow the lead with another point from a free. Cian O’Riordan increased the lead with a point from the left wing and McCormack left it 0-6 to 0-3 at the break.

Newcestown rallied after the break as O’Sullivan converted a 65 and O’Driscoll pointed to leave the minimum between them.

McCormack eased Mallow out of trouble with another pointed free.

Mallow took a three-point lead entering the last quarter, and McCormack added his sixth pointed free.

A long range free by O’Sullivan brought Newcestown to within three points entering the closing stages, but a point from Pat O’Riordan and two from McCormack sealed Mallow’s comprehensive victory.

Scorers: Mallow: F. McCormack (0-10, 0-7 frees), C. O’Riordan, P. O’Riordan (0-1 each). Newcestown: G. O’Driscoll (0-4, 0-3 frees), J. O’Sullivan (0-2 frees).

MALLOW: C. Sheehan, D. McInerney, B. Gleeson, D. Coughlan, D. Hayes, B. Carey, C. Kerrisk, F. McCormack, P. O’Riordan, C. O’Riordan, T. O’Riordan, M. Buckley, J. Hayes, P. Heffernan, R. Sheehan. Subs: J. Culloty for McInerney (inj), R. Galvin for Sheehan.

NEWCESTOWN: C. Wilson, C. Crowley, J. Wilson, K. Long, John Crowley, J. O’Sullivan, B. Moloney, N. O’Sullivan, Jason Crowley, B. O’Donovan, P. Moloney, P. Crowley, G. O’Driscoll, P. Condon, C. O’Donovan. Subs: P. Kenneally for Jason Crowley, C. Keane for O’Donovan.

Referee: C. Lyons (Nemo Rangers).