Masterful Magpies defeat Rockies in thrilling replay

MIDLETON’S rise to prominence continued at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night as they earned a place in the last eight of the Evening Echo Cork County SHC and a tilt with neighbours Cloyne with a 0-12 to 0-10 victory over former champions Blackrock.

The victory ensured there are now at least six East Cork representatives in the quarter-finals — and possibly seven if Imokilly come through.

Unlucky the previous week, this replay seemed the perfect backdrop for Blackrock to complete the job. But the Magpies beat them at their own game, matching the Rockies physically before securing a deserved victory with late points by the magnificent Mickey O’Connell and John Keane.

On a dreadful night for hurling, the stay-away fans in the 1,500 attendance missed a marvellous contest played with gusto and attacking intent.

Scorers for Midleton: M. O’Connell 0-7 (0-6 frees, 0-1 65); A. Cotter 0-2; S. Hennessy, D. Cott, J. Keane 0-1 each.

Blackrock: C. O’Leary 0-5; A. Coughlan 0-3 (frees); B. O’Keeffe, D. Cashman 0-1 each.

THE look of satisfaction on the face of St Catherine’s coach Denis Walsh following their 2-14 to 0-9 third round victory over Duhallow at Buttevant said it all.

It was the style of their hurling that especially pleased him. Often times they moved the ball with know-how, crisply and smartly, regularly cutting open a Duhallow rearguard that did stand tall for a long time.

No question, these Ballynoe battlers know how to hurl. They are well aware Sars will prove a far bigger test in the quarter-final. But after a few good results they might just be getting in the mood.

With flying corner men Shane Kearney and Shane Cotter in top form St Catherine’s always looked the part despite a gusty show by Duhallow.

Scorers for St. Catherine’s: S. Cotter 0-5 (0-3 frees). R. O’Connell 0-4, K. Morrison 1-1, Johnny Sheehan 1-0, S. Kearney 0-2, P. Cotter (free), N. O’Brien 0-1 each.

Duhallow: D. McCarthy (frees), S. Whelan 0-3 (frees) each, M Sheehy, B. Sheehan, P. O’Callaghan 0-1 each.

IN the Evening Echo Cork Co Premier IHC Blarney had a good 1-11 to 0-8 victory over Aghabullogue.

Both sets of fans had been looking forward to this game since the quarter-final pairings became known. But a wet and wild Saturday evening in Ovens spoiled what should have been a cracking contest. Instead, a low-scoring derby would decide the outcome.

While both teams coped well

Blarney made it look easier at times.

Colm Sheehan took their goal with little fuss to stretch the gap to six points — a margin Aghabullogue

would never be able to claw back. Darragh McSweeney also played the proverbial blinder at centre-back.

Scorers for Blarney: C Sheehan 1-0, E McCarthy and J Hurley (0-2 frees) 0-3 each, D McSweeney 0-2, S O’Donoghue, J Hughes (free) and D O’Leary 0-1 each.

Aghabullogue: P Finnegan 0-4 (0-2 frees), Donal Twomey 0-2, M Twomey and P Kelleher 0-1 each.

AFTER leading by six points at half-time Watergrasshill failed to score again until 22 minutes into the second-half when Carrigtwohill were two points in front.Two points from frees from their ace marksman, Patrick O’Regan earned them a 0-13 apiece draw in a thrilling finish to this Evening Echo Cork Co Premier IHC quarter final at Caherlag.

Both sides had chances to win the game in the closing minutes — John Halbert missed a scoring chance for Watergrasshill. A golden goal opportunity went a begging for

Carrigtwohill when Frank Flannery kicked the sliotar across a crowded goal mouth going into the final minute.

Jason Barrett and Sean O’Farrell both managed to hit wides in injury time.

The finish alone should bring the big crowd back for the replay.

Scorers for Carrigtwohill: N. McCarthy 0-8 (0-7 frees), J. Barrett 0-2,F. Flannery, S. O’Farrell and R. white 0-1 each.

Watergrasshill: P. O’Regan 0-8 (0-6 frees), P. Cahill 0-3, J. Halbert and E. O’Reilly 0-1 each.