Muskerry dethrone Duhallow after engrossing encounter

30th August 2024; Noel O'Callaghan, Cork county board presents the Tadhg Crowley cup Muskerry captain Eoghan Lehane after defeating Duhallow in the McCarthy Insurance Group Divisions/Colleges SFC final at Macroom. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Cork Premier SFC: Muskerry 3-13 Duhallow 2-15 

Muskerry inscribed their name on the Tadhg Crowley Cup at Macroom on Friday night, and their one-point victory over holders Duhallow in an engrossing McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier SFC Divisions/Colleges final was merited.

Duhallow pushed them all the way following their second half revival, but Conor Hurley’s side held out in a tense finale to qualify for their first county quarter-final since 2014.

A big attendance turned up for this game and following a lively opening half for Muskerry when they put in a huge performance, they held a commanding 3-7 to 0-8 lead.

The goals in the 3rd, 12th and 26th minutes rocked a Duhallow side that missed defenders Shane Curtin and Conor O’Callaghan through injury.

The first green flag came from Chris Óg Jones, who showed great leadership throughout, after he linked with fellow half-forward Eolan O’Leary.

The second major, which arrived nine minutes later, was finished to the net by Liam Twohig, and this was followed by a run of four unanswered points to put the mid Cork division 2-6 to 0-2 in front by the 20th minute.

The third goal from Ian Jones was a real sucker punch four minutes from the interval, the full-forward rising highest to meet his brother Chris Óg’s crossfield delivery in the danger area.

Prior to this, they had four different attempts at goal only to be denied each time.

Duhallow were left stunned, five of their seven points arrived in the five minutes before half-time - two from Luke Murphy.

However, sandwiched in between was a spectacular point from Aaron O’Sullivan, another player who appeared to be everywhere for Muskerry.

As the floodlights were switched on upon the restart, incredibly Duhallow sparked into life.

A goal and three points to a point they outfought Muskerry, with the goal coming from Luke Murphy after the initial effort from Séamus Hickey was saved in the 36th minute.

Muskerry, who only had registered one point from Chris Óg Jones, hit back with a trio of white flags midway through the half, but Duhallow took over again kicking the next four points without reply to make it a two-point match, 3-11 to 1-15 as the clock went into the red.

Five minutes of additional time was signalled, during which Muskerry generated points from James O’Mullane and Chris Óg Jones to stretch the lead to four points.

In the 66th minute, the Duhallow fightback continued when Kevin Cremin found the net.

Cormac Dineen blew full time soon after.

Scorers for Muskerry: C Óg Jones (1-4), L Twohig (1-2, 0-2 frees), I Jones (1-1), L O’Connor (0-3, 0-2 frees), A O’Sullivan, J O’Mullane and J Kelleher (0-1 each).

Scorers for Duhallow: L Murphy (1-4), K Cremin (1-0), D Cashman (0-3), Donncha O’Connor (frees) and G O’Sullivan (0-2 each), Séamus Hickey, C Curtin, C Walsh and J Curtin (0-1).

MUSKERRY: J Creedon (Uibh Laoire); D O’Donovan (Uibh Laoire), W Ronan (Kilmurry), E Lehane (Canovee, Capt); K Manning (Uibh Laoire), M Corrigan (Macroom), S O’Riordan (Uibh Laoire); C Donovan (Macroom), L Wall (Kilmurry); A O’Sullivan (Aghabullogue), C Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire), E O’Leary (Macroom); L O’Connor (Inniscarra), I Jones (Uibh Laoire), L Twohig (Aghinagh).

Subs: C Gillespie (Aghabullogue) for C Donovan (inj), P Ring (Aghabullogue) for D O’Donovan (both 39), J O’Mullane (Kilmurry) for E O’Leary (44), J Kelleher (Canovee) for L Twohig (46 inj), J O’Donoghue (Naomh Abán) for L O’Connor (63).

DUHALLOW: C Casey (Rockchapel); J Murphy (Dromtarriffe), D Buckley (Boherbue), Shane Hickey (Millstreet); J Curtin (Rockchapel), K Cremin (Boherbue, J-Capt), D Cashman (Millstreet); Séamus Hickey (Rockchapel), L Moynihan (Boherbue); B O’Keeffe (Dromtarriffe), Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond, J-Capt), M McAuliffe (Rockchapel); L Murphy (Cullen), David O’Connor (Boherbue), G O’Sullivan (Boherbue).

Subs: C Walsh (Cullen) for L Moynihan (18), C Murphy (Castlemagner) for J Murphy (half-time), C Curtin (Rockchapel) for M McAuliffe (39), C O’Sullivan (Castlemagner) for D O’Connor (45), D Linehan (Castlemagner) for J Curtin (50).

Referee: Cormac Dineen (Douglas).