Carrigaline seal historic win as Bandon denied again

AFTER years of defeat in both hurling and football, Carrigaline finally came good at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday by winning the Cork IHC title for the first time with a 1-13 to 0-10 win over Bandon.

In a game that never rose above mediocrity, there was no disputing Carrig’s right to the spoils. They were fitter, sharper and had a couple of outstanding forwards in Simon O’Brien, Stephen Corcoran and sub David Drake who all contributed scores.

For Bandon it was defeat in the final for the second year in a row, but they can have few complaints. They were almost totally dependent on Darren Crowley for scores. He contributed six of his side’s points while Darren O’Donoghue — who was surprisingly taken off — scored two.

Scorers for Carrigaline: S. O’Brien 1-2; S. Corcoran 0-5 (0-3 frees); D. Drake 0-2; J. Moran (free), T. Murphy, P. Murphy, W. O’Brien 0-1 each.

Bandon: D. Crowley 0-6 (0-1 65, 0-1 free); D. O’Donoghue 0-2; E. O’Donovan, D. Lucey (free) 0-1 each.

BLARNEY are through to their first Cork Co Premier IHC final since 1999. In one of the poorest games ever seen in the grade at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday they beat Douglas 1-9 to 0-5. It wasn’t exactly what was expected — especially from Douglas, who were hoping to bounce back from their losing football visit to headquarters a week earlier.

After a dour first-half they led 0-4 to 0-1, but they were absolutely dead on their feet after that. With many of the footballers on duty, the day just got much worse as they only managed one more point in the closing 30 minute watched by new Limerick hurling boss Justin McCarthy.

It was not one of Blarney’s better outings either, the pressure of expectation seemed to be getting to them too. Twenty seven minutes it took for their first score — their only one of the half — but they showed tremendous spirit to eventually come good with a seven-point win.

Scorers for Blarney: M Cremin 0-5 (0-4 frees), J Hurley 1-1, E Hallahan, C Murphy, D McCarthy 0-1 each.

Douglas: W Coveney, S Moylan, M Harrington, B Fitzgerald and M Collins 0-1 each.

IT CAME late, very late, but big Mark O’Sullivan’s 59th-minute goal was crucial as Dripsey saw off stubborn Carrignavar 1-12 to 0-9 to reach their first Evening Echo Cork Co JHC decider in their short history under lights at Páirc Uí Rinn.

In wasn’t a great semi-final — hurling-wise — and Dripsey got nothing soft from Carrignavar whose 13 wides over the hour proved their downfall. As well as goalscorer O’Sullivan, the mid Corkmen also had aces in Diarmuid O’Riordan and David O’Sullivan up front; Conor Hayes at midfield and a strong defence in which John O’Riordan, John O’Mahony and Barry Kelleher excelled.

Scorers for Dripsey: D. O’Riordan 0-7 (0-3 frees), M. O’Sullivan 1-2, D. O’Sullivan 0-2, J. O’Riordan 0-1.

Carrignavar: C. Burns 0-5 (0-4 frees), P. Murphy, B. Murphy, B. Hegarty, M. Hickey 0-1 each.

IT RAINED goals on Sarsfields at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday and it nearly cost them big time. Despite being the better side for most of this Evening Echo Cork Co U21 HC semi-final, some sloppy defending proved near fatal as the scoring power of Patrick Horgan and Conor Dorris earned Glen Rovers a replay (4-8 to 1-17) they battled hard for.

All the Glen’s total — bar a late and important point from substitute Steve McCarthy — came from Horgan and Dorris. In contrast, eight different Sars’ players — both midfielders and six forwards — were on target. But the concession of four goals was a massive kick in the teeth and hurt Sars big time.

Scorers for Glen Rovers: P. Horgan 2-4 (1-0 pen, 0-3f), C. Dorris 2-3, S. McCarthy 0-1.

Scorers for Sarsfields: P. Barry 1-5 (0-5f), R. O’Driscoll 0-4, W. Kearney 0-3, E. O’Sullivan, C. McCarthy, C. O’Sullivan, D. Roche, D. Kearney 0-1 each.

DUHALLOW eased into the U21 HC final with a comfortable 3-13 to 0-11 win over Newcestown at Coachford. By scoring 3-10 in the opening half, the victors amassed an insurmountable lead, with two blunders by Newcestown keeper Graham Courtney proving costly.

Scorers for Duhallow: K Manniz (1-3); A Walsh (1-1); D Roche and L McLoughlin (0-3 each); D Sulllivan (1-0); L Collins, K Sullivan and W Egan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Newcestown: E O’Leary (0-9); G O’Driscoll and B Horgan (0-1 each).