Saints alive as Rockies bow out

HOW the mighty have fallen.

Famed Blackrock, who head the roll of honour in the Cork senior hurling championship with 32 titles, are now in danger of being relegated to Premier intermediate status following their 2-10 to 0-15 defeat by battling St Catherine’s at rain-soaked Carrigtwohill on Saturday.

And few would begrudge St Catherine’s manager Denis Walsh his hour of glory after the former county dual star masterminded one of the biggest upsets in the championship.

In spite of showing a marked improvement since their opening fixture against Na Piarsaigh, Catherine’s still looked doomed as the clock counted down, but rescued this tie when a daring late goal from sub Sean Barry which gave them a sensational one-point lead with three minutes left.

Although Adrian Coughlan levelled, it was a tribute to the confident play of centre back Mick Fitzgerald that he coolly slotted over the winning 65m two minutes into stoppage time.

Scorers for St Catherine’s: S Kearney and S Barry 1-0 each, S Cotter (0-2 frees) and M Fitzgerald 0-3 (0-2 frees, 0-1 65m) each, R O’Connell 0-2, K Morrisson and C Ahern 0-1 each.

Blackrock: A Coughlan 0-4 (0-2 frees), D Cashman 0-3, B O’Keeffe, A Browne and C O’Leary 0-2 each, L Meaney and R Ryan 0-1 each.

LUCKY Killeagh are still in the Cork County SHC, edging Castlelyons out of the frame, 1-10 to 0-12, and closer to the relegation zone.

Having struggled for most of yesterday’s second round clash at Ballynoe, Killeagh were resuscitated deep in stoppage time when former Cork captain Mark Landers floated a free into the square. To Castlelyons’ horror, the sliotar appeared to take a deflection and ended up in the back of the net.

Seconds later David Copps blew for full time. Castlelyons had been clearly the better side with Timmy McCarthy scoring nine magnificent points.

Scorers for Killeagh: M Landers 1-2 (1-1 frees, 0-1 65m), J Deane 0-3 (frees), B Barry 0-2, L Collins, D Kelleher and A Walsh 0-1 each.

Castlelyons: T McCarthy 0-9 (0-5 frees, 0-1 65m), E Fitzgerald, L Sexton and J Sexton 0-1 each.

BALLINHASSIG, with two fast goals shortly after the resumption, sent newcomers Bishopstown crashing out of the Cork SHC at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday with a 2-14 to 2-11 victory.

Brilliantly created by full-forward Fintan O’Leary and delightfully finished by centre-forward Paul Lombard and right corner-forward Paul Coomey, the goals knocked the stuffing out of a Bishopstown side, who at one stage, seemed set for victory thanks to some excellent striking by Cork newcomer Pa Cronin.

Scorers for Ballinhassig: P. Coomey 1-1; P. Lombard 1-0; D. O’Callaghan 0-7 (0-3 from frees; 0-1 from 65); D. O’Sullivan 0-2 (0-1 from sideline puck); J. Mullaney, F. O’Leary, B. O’Sullivan and M. Coleman (free) 0-1 each.

Bishopstown: K. O’Halloran 2-0 (1-0 from penalty; 0-1 from free); P. Cronin 0-9 (0-3 from frees; 0-1 from 65); J. Murphy 0-2.

IN the battle for survival in the Premier IHC a goal from corner-forward Ronan Walsh, seven minutes into injury time, powered Tracton to a sensational 3-11 to 3-10 win over Mallow at Páirc Ui Rinn on Saturday night.

Mallow led by two points at the end of normal time but after both sides were reduced to 14 -men following the dismissals of Fergal McCormack and Frank Lynch for second yellow cards offences, Tracton hit the jackpot with Walsh’s late winner, leaving Mallow now facing a relegation battle.

Scorers for Tracton:. R. Walsh 1-5 (0-3 from frees); F. Lynch 1-1 (0-1 from free); D. Walsh 1-0; S. Sullivan 0-3; R. Cronin, and J. Kingston 0-1 each.

Mallow: B. Murphy 2-4 (0-1 from free); D. Hayes 1-0; P. Dineen 0-5 (0-5 from frees); D. Kerrisk 0-1.

IN the Premier IFC, ruthless Nemo Rangers blew Youghal away (1-13 to 0-4) at rainy Midleton on Saturday and taking into account the early losses of some key players, Nemo’s victory was all the more admirable.

Full-back Stephen Twomey pulled up in the warm-up, half forward Alan Morgan was red carded after five minutes for an off the ball altercation and corner-forward David Kearney’s hamstring gave up after 20 minutes.

But Nemo were utterly clinical and raced into a seven-point lead before Youghal put a second score on the board. Nemo weren’t complacent but were never going to be reeled in.

Scorers for Nemo Rangers: J Kavanagh 1-3 (0-3f), J Kerins 0-4 (0-4f), M Daly 0-2, JP O’Neill, D Kearney, M Kearney, R Kenny 0-1 each.

Youghal: L Desmond (0-1f), G O’Leary, C Coleman, K Dempsey 0-1 each.