Ballygiblin surge continues as Cork's Intermediate and Junior championships get underway

A number of opening day draws suggest the lower hurling grades in the Rebel county will be closely contested

Cloughduv's Cormac O'Driscoll clears under pressure from Midleton's Aaron Mulcahy in Sunday's Cork IAHC game at Pairc Ui Rinn

CORK'S Intermediate ‘A’ and Premier Junior champions were in full swing Sunday with eight games played across the grades. An early trend at intermediate level seems to be that it will be impossible to pick a winner. Of the six games played so far, four have been draws while in the other two games, no more than a goal separated the sides.

In Group A, Youghal and Lisgoold had drawn 0-17 each on Friday affording both Aghada and Aghabullogue a chance to take control of the group in Páirc Uí Rinn. It looked for long stages that the Muskerry side would do so, as they led by 1-17 to 1-12 with ten minutes to go. Mark McCarthy had a first half goal for Aghada, but when John Corkery raised a green flag for Aghabullogue, they looked to be in control with Shane Tarrant impressing while hitting 0-8. Aghada hit the last five points to force the draw though, as Will Leahy hit the last 0-3 of his 0-11, Charlie Terry hit his second and Kevin O’Hanlon his only score.