O’Sullivans lead way as dogged Dripsey drive on

Dripsey 3-9 Aghada 2-9: Having battled relegation in recent years, Dripsey now find themselves in a first Cork IHC final against all expectations.

Unexpected maybe, but this smashing victory at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night was very much deserved, a dogged performance spearheaded by the goal-taking ability of Mark and David O’Sullivan seeing them through despite a belated comeback by disappointing Aghada.

A 60th-minute goal by John Looney, his second of the game, forced Dripsey into desperate defence in injury-time, but the winners held out and there can be no disputing the merit of victory after they had recovered from a terrible start. Looney smashed home a goal for Aghada after 50 seconds and Aaran Stafford nearly got in for a second 30 seconds later. The early flurry suggested that Aghada might well cruise effortlessly into the decider.