Darren McCarthy inspires Ballymartle to victory over Glen Rovers

Ballymartle 2-19 Glen Rovers 0-23: Ballymartle’s Darren McCarthy sent a “pick me” message to Cork senior hurling manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy on Saturday night as he inspired the Riverstick club during a stunning second-half revival against the famed Glen Rovers in round one of the Cork SHC at Páirc Uí Rinn.

A bit player for Barry-Murphy’s Rebels during Cork’s 2015 Allianz League campaign, the goalkeeper-turned-outfield magician was very much centre-stage in this hugely entertaining tie, leading by example from midfield as John Crowley’s charges overturned a seven-point half-time deficit to claim a memorable two-point victory over a gallant Glen side.

Trailing by two points with just a minute of normal time remaining, McCarthy took off on a storming solo-run down the right wing before striking exquisitely off the hurley and directing an unstoppable shot to the top left-hand corner of the goal.