Barr’s feel the blues as Douglas deliver

How the mighty have fallen!

There was a major upset in the Evening Echo Cork SFC over the weekend when famed St. Finbarr’s were relegated to intermediate status after losing 0-10 to 0-4 to Douglas in a relegation battle at Shanbally.

So, after more than 70 years in the top flight, with many county and All Ireland Club titles under their belts, its a downward spiral for the famous Blues.

Joining them will be St. Vincent’s, only just promoted, who were beaten 1-12 to 0-5 by Carbery Rangers at Newcestown.

Also promoted are Mallow, who bounced back from relegation by winning the Cork Premier IFC, beating neighbours Killavullen at Páirc Uí Rinn. Cian O’Riordan gave a man of the match performance with four points with John O’Sullivan getting the all important goal after 10 minutes.

Meanwhile the margin of victory was not in keeping with the nature of the game, but due to the virtuoso display of Pat Dunlea, Canovee deserved to take the spoils, 1-10 to 0-6, against Ballydesmond in the opening game at Páirc Uí Rinn, the Cork JFC semi-final.

The Mid-Cork team owed a huge debt to the performance of Dunlea, who hit all but two of their scores, and not even Cork star Donncha O’Connor could save Ballydesmond. They now meet Kildorrery in the final next weekend.

Another lively hours football at Páirc Uí Rinn last evening in the replay of the Evening Echo Cork Co IFC semi-final and Carrigaline are back in the final — their last appearance was in 2003 — after beating Cill Na Martra 1-8 to 0-9.

They now meet Tom Kenny’s Grenagh in the final next weekend,

And surely they will take heart from the fact their opponents that day, Ilen Rovers, are appearing in the senior final also this weekend.

Best summation form this replay is a lot done and plenty more to do. They grinded out this hard-earned win and while in the drawn game it was a Noel O’Leary goal that threw Cill na Martra a lifeline at the death, it was a Barry O’Keeffe goal for Carrigaline just on the stroke of half time that gave them the initiative.

History was made at Páirc Ui Chaoimh yesterday when Fr. O’Neill’s won the Evening Echo Cork Co IHC title for the first time in fairytale fashion, beating Bandon 1-13 to 0-15 in the final.

After the sides were level on no fewer than seven occasions, Fr. O’Neills won a 65 a minute deep into injury time. Cool as a breeze up stepped team captain, Ger O’Leary, to slot the conversion straight between the posts to climax his side’s historic achievement and leave Bandon empty and heartbroken.

It was a cruel injustice for Bandon side that came within an ace of pulling it out of the fire at the death but substitute Ray Payne’s kicked attempt for a match-winning goal was taken off the line by Fr. O’Neill’s corner back Brian O’Driscoll in what as truly an exhilarating and tension-ridden finale.

Thirteen years after their last final appearance, Barryroe finally scaled the heights at Páirc Uí Chaoimh with an emphatic 2-19 to 2-13 win over Charleville in the Evening Echo Co JHC final.

The mantle of favouritism had accompanied Charleville beforehand, yet Barryroe shredded such talk with a purposeful and highly-skilled display.

Barryroe scored 2-11 from open play and their final tally was a glowing statistic.

Midfielders Ciarán Hurley and Kevin McCarthy won their sector comprehensively with an all-action style, and McCarthy in particular was always in the thick of the action. Up front full-forward Padraig Collins was especially menacing in the first half, while wing-forward Kieran Griffin gave a supreme scoring display with 0-12 from play and frees.

Some performance from holders Bishopstown in the Evening Echo Cork Co U21A hurling championship semi-final at Páirc Uí Rinn. Unbelievable really, considering these two and many of same players contested a close U21 final at the same venue last year.

And for the second Sunday in a row a Newtownshandrum team has left the city empty handed, beaten 3-15 to 0-7, stung by the quality of Bishopstown’s all action display.

For now attention will turn to Carrigaline and trying to retain their county title but Bishopstown were glad to see young Cork star Pa Cronin turn it on with Shane O’Neill also a huge influence.

There was great rejoicing in the Éire Óg camp as they retained their Cork Co intermediate hurling status for 2008 by bating Glen Rovers 2-12 to 0-12 at Ballincollig.

However, Glen Rovers must meet St Finbarr’s and the losers of that game will head for the junior ranks next year.