Cork PJHC Round-up: Russell Rovers and Ballygarvan the big winners in final round

Brian Murphy of Nemo Rangers in action against Philip Wall of Kilbrittain. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Russell Rovers and Ballygarvan were the big winners in the final round of action in the Co-op Superstores Cork Premier Junior Hurling Championship on Friday night. They will be joined by Glen Rovers, Milford, St Catherine’s and Nemo Rangers in the knockout stages after a dramatic night of action across the county.

Nemo secured the final spot on offer after Shane Horgan’s ninth point of the evening brought his side level with Kilbrittain for the ninth time in Macroom. Kilbrittain, who needed a win, were minus the services of Mark Hickey but 1-1 from Philip Wall and 0-7 from Bertie Butler looked like it might be good enough for them. However, Horgan’s, who was well supported by Kevin O’Donovan and Mark Cronin who both hit 0-2, last gasp equaliser made it 0-17 to 1-14 at the end.

Nemo will now play the Glen in the quarterfinal after they defeated St Finbarr’s by 0-20 to 0-15 in Páirc Uí Rinn. Conor Dorris with 0-7 and Evan Murphy with 0-4 did most of the scoring for the Glen, while 0-4 from Ian Lordan and 0-3 from Colm Keane kept the Barrs in contention all through.

Milford secured their place in the knockout stages following a 1-23 to 0-17 win over Douglas in Mallow. Brian Murphy clipped 1-3 for the Avondhu side, while 0-7 from Henry O’Gorman and 0-4 from Tadhg O’Flynn also proved crucial.

Milford will play St Catherine’s in the final six after the East Cork side edged a thriller with Argideen Rangers by 1-20 to 0-21 in Carrigtwohill. Eoin Condon rattled the goal for Catherine’s, but 0-10 from Rory Galvin and 0-5 from Brian Mulcahy were essential to their effort also. John Michael O’Callaghan had 0-9 for Argideen, and Finbarr Butler hit 0-4 but it wasn’t enough, and they will now face Douglas in the relegation playoff.

Russell Rovers have been in fine form all summer and they maintained that form in Fermoy as they defeated Meelin by 1-25 to 1-14. Mark O’Dwyer struck for 1-1 for Rovers, Brian Hartnett clipped 0-6 while Kieran Walsh and Ruairi Cummins hit 0-4 and 0-3 respectively. Nicholas Linehan was Meelin’s main man as he hit 0-8 while Jack Curtin scored their goal as they finished in third spot.

Ballygarvan completed an impressive group phase with a 2-17 to 1-15 win over Barryroe in Cloughduv. Evan O’Connor led the way for the Carrigdhoun side with 1-2, Seán Brady clung their other goal while 0-4 from Michael Cussen and Ray O’Halloran also proved vital. Dónal Ó Buachalla hit 0-7 for Barryroe, and Ryan O’Donovan clipped 1-1, but it wasn’t enough for them to keep their season alive.

Semi-finalists: Russell Rovers, Ballygarvan.

Quarterfinals: Glen Rovers v Nemo Rangers, Milford v St Catherine’s.

Relegation playoff: Douglas v Argideen Rangers.