Brian O'Donovan stars as Carbery bounce back with convincing victory over Duhallow

Carbery will have to wait on the outcome of Duhallow/Muskerry in this group of three in a fortnight, but winning by 15 points currently puts them in a good position.

STAR MAN: Carbery's Brian O'Donovan shoots over a point against Duhallow during the Co-Op Superstores Divisions / Colleges SHC at Coachford. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Carbery 3-20 Duhallow 0-14

Carbery bounced back admirably from their opening day nine-point defeat to Muskerry with a convincing victory over Duhallow in the Co-Op Superstores Cork SHC Divisions/Colleges (unseeded) at Coachford on Tuesday night.

They will have to wait on the outcome of Duhallow/Muskerry in this group of three in a fortnight, but winning by 15 points currently puts them in a good position.

The benefit of having a match under their belt stood to David Whyte’s side, and once their top attacker Brian O’Donovan (2-7) grabbed their opening goal midway through a wind-assisted first half, the game turned in their favour.

The opportunity came his way following good work by Pádraig O’Sullivan and Shane Murnane. His shot to the net put them 1-6 to 0-3 up.

Duhallow, who had one late enforced change after Alan Ryan got injured in the warm-up and he was replaced by Conor Murphy, were forced to go for goal from a close-in free from top-scorer Luke Philpott but his shot was saved and cleared.

Points from Philpott, Cork U20 dual player Hugh O’Connor and Jason O’Callaghan reduced the margin approaching half-time, but the Carbery radar - especially Eoghan Ferguson - was in and they went to the dressing-room 1-11 to 0-7 ahead.

Duhallow's Alan Coughlan gets off the sliotar from Carbery's Pádraig O'Sullivan during the Co-Op Superstores Divisions / Colleges SHC at Coachford. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

When the impressive Brian O’Donovan secured his second goal a couple of minutes after the restart, despite Duhallow ‘keeper Shane McAuliffe getting a stick to it, they went three goals clear.

Duhallow continued the fight, but Carbery who had been wasteful earlier on, were finding scores from all angles.

The margin was 10 points before Conal Cullinane latched on to a delivery in the 51st minute and belted Carbery’s third major, 3-16 to 0-12.

The difference increased further as the contest closed out with the two O’Donovans - Gearóid and Brian - piling on the scores.

Scorers for Carbery: B O’Donovan (2-7, 0-4 frees), C Cullinane (1-3), E Ferguson (0-5) G O’Donovan (0-3), J Lucey (0-2).

Scorers for Duhallow: L Philpott (0-5, 0-4 frees), J O’Callaghan (0-3), R King and B Murphy (0-2 each), H O’Connor and E Murphy (0-1 each).

CARBERY: M Whelton (Barryroe); R Scanlon (St Mary’s), S O’Riordan (Barryroe), C Murphy (Kilbree); D Collins (Randal Óg), P Collins (Randal Óg), N Hilliard (Diarmuid Ó Mathúna); E Ryan (Clonakilty), S Murnane (St Colum’s); P O’Sullivan (Randal Óg), G O’Donovan (Diarmuid Ó Mathúna, Capt), C Cullinane (Ballinascarthy); B O’Donovan (Ballinascarthy), E Ferguson (Ballinascarthy), J Lucey (Diarmuid Ó Mathúna).

Subs: R Lucey (Diarmuid Ó Mathúna) for N Hilliard (37), C O’Neill (Randal Óg) for E Ferguson (47-49 temp), C O’Neill for R Scanlon (50), E Galvin (Kilbrittain) for E Ferguson (60 inj).

DUHALLOW: S McAuliffe (Newmarket); J McAuliffe (Banteer), M O’Keeffe (Meelin), C Murphy (Castlemagner); A Coughlan (Banteer), C O’Callaghan (Dromtarriffe, Capt), C King (Kilbrin); T Sheehan (Millstreet), H O’Connor (Newmarket); J O’Callaghan (Meelin), L Philpott (Banteer), E Murphy (Dromtarriffe); R King (Kilbrin), B Murphy (Dromtarriffe), D O’Keeffe (Newmarket).

Subs: J Harrington (Kilbrin) for C Murphy (39).

Referee: Brendan Barry Murphy (Aghabullogue).