Blow for Cork as Lorcan McLoughlin injured in club clash

Cork defender Lorcan McLoughlin looks certain to miss Cork’s Munster Championship opener with Waterford after sustaining a suspected broken collarbone playing for his club Kanturk last night.

McLoughlin was brought to Cork University Hospital after going down in the 15th minute clutching his shoulder and looks like being ruled out of the early rounds of the Munster Championship.

Kanturk lost the Premier Intermediate first round clash to Castlelyons on a score of 1-16 to 1-13.

Not that the Castletownroche contest ended with McLoughlins withdrawal; Kanturk were level with five minutes left before Castlelyons finally shook off the north Cork sides challenge, with four points in a row.

Their goal was a huge turning point, said a disappointed Kanturk manager, Danny ODonoghue.

We said at half-time, if we could stop them from getting a goal, wed be in with a right chance. But youre facing a mountain the whole time when you lose a guy like Lorcan McLoughlin. They battled away, they did the best they could and at least well have another day out, he said.

That 41st-minute goal, brilliantly created by Anthony Spillane and clinically finished by Alan Fenton, gave the east Cork side a 1-10 to 1-9 lead, although Kanturk pegged them back to level on three occasions in the following minutes.

However, in a game littered with 24 wides, Castlelyons were the side able to regain their composure at the death. Colm Spillane, who like Anthony Nash was erratic from placed balls, nailed a late 65 to nudge Castlelyons ahead.

Then the power of the Castlelyons bench began to tell, with Aidan OSullivan scoring a superb point, Anthony Spillane adding another and Timmy McCarthy setting-up Keith OLeary for the clincher.

Nash had two late goal-scoring opportunities from frees but the goalmouth blanket held firm.

The lads dug deep today, said Castlelyons Dave Hoare after full-time. If you go back to Ballyhea last year and Youghal [in the 2013 final], we caved in a bit. But this time we really drove on when the chips were down.

It takes the shackles off us as regards relegation but, as well as that, we want to go the front-door route and weve done that today.

Kanturk will have to seek redemption against Bandon, although Liam OKeefes early goal and some inspirational point-taking from Aidan Walsh and Donagh Dwane will provide encouragement.

But youth shone through for the victors, with Hoare adding his praises for the trio of OLearys who made their championship debuts on the night. Twins Niall and Jamie and cousin Keith are all U17s and contributed well to the cause.

We have a nice flow [of young players] coming through and thats a credit to the juvenile section. You need to introduce a bit of new blood but not forgetting the likes of Timmy [McCarthy] as well.

For a team that has lost in three of the last four years to the eventual champions, the injection of new blood may well be the extra boost needed.

Scorers for Castlelyons: C Spillane (0-5, 3 65s, 2fs), A Fenton (1-1), A Spillane (0-3), A OSullivan (0-2), R Feeney, S Moroney, N OLeary, K OLeary, T Carroll (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kanturk: A Walsh (0-4), L OKeefe (1-0), D Kenneally (0-3, 1 65, 1f), D Dwane, L McLoughlin (f), J Fitzpatrick, A Nash (f), L ONeill, M Riordan (0-1 each).

CASTLELYONS: J Barry; B Carroll, C Barry, C OLeary; L Sexton, C Spillane, K OLeary; R Feeney, T Carroll; D Lawlor, R Bransfield, A Spillane; A Fenton, S Moroney, N OLeary.

Subs: A OSullivan for Lawlor and T McCarthy for Moroney (40), J OLeary for Bransfield (54).

KANTURK: A Nash; P Walsh, D Dwane, O OConnor; J McLoughlin, D Browne, D OConnor; L McLoughlin, L ONeill; M Riordan, D Kenneally, A Walsh; J Fitzpatrick, L OKeefe, I Walsh.

Sub: C Cleron for L McLoughlin (15).

Referee: T ODonavan (Douglas)