Blackrock go top of Division 1 as they see off Carrigtwohill

In Division 2 Midleton remain on top of the pile as they made it four wins from four with a 2-24 to 2-19 win away to Newtownshandrum.

Sun, 20 Apr, 2025 - 13:45

John Coleman

Blackrock took advantage of Fr O’Neill’s first slip of the season to go top of Division 1 of the Red FM Cork Hurling League. The Rockies have bounced back well from an opening day defeat to Charleville to win their next three games and now lie a point ahead of O’Neill’s, Charleville, and the team they defeated on Friday, Carrigtwohill.

Cork panelist Robbie Cotter was available for the clash in Church Road and his contribution of 1-7 was crucial as the home side won by 2-28 to 2-16. Carrigtwohill did have the edge in the opening half as goals from Cillian Barry and James Mulcahy put them in front. However, a goal from Fionn Coleman turned the tie in the Rockies’ favour as they led by a point at the interval. They had a nice spread of scorers as Ryan Sweeney clipped 0-5, Kevin O’Keeffe contributed 0-4 while Stephen Murphy and Niall Cashman had 0-3 each. Sean Walsh carried the fight for Carrig with 0-9, Mulcahy supplemented his goal with four points and Liam Gosnell had a brace of scores.

Charleville’s scoring difference gives them the edge over O’Neill’s and Carrig after they beat Douglas by 1-24 to 1-20 on Easter Saturday. Alan Cadogan put the visitors a point clear going into the final 10 minutes before Conor Buckley equalised for Charleville. Then a goal from Gareth Gleeson bent the game to Charleville’s will. Gleeson, Buckley and Seán Bresnan all hit 0-4 for Charleville while Cadogan shot 0-9 for Douglas, Andy O’Connell clipped 0-4 and Conor O’Donovan raised their green flag.

Carrigaline earned their first win of the season with a 0-21 to 0-16 win at home to Fr O’Neill’s on Holy Thursday. Carrigaline were superb in the first half and led by 0-13 to 0-6 at the interval and from there they were able to see it out. Brian Kelleher scored 0-7 for the hosts, Éanna Desmond clipped 0-6 while Rhys McCarthy and David Drake both landed a brace of points. Kevin O’Sullivan hit 0-10 and Paudie O’Sullivan 0-2 for a depleted O’Neill’s outfit.

Sarsfields travelled to Togher on Thursday and overcame a slow start to record a 2-25 to 2-13 win over St Finbarr’s. Adam Buckley and James Kennefick had early goals for the Barrs. However, majors from Colm McCarthy and Cian Darcy either side of half time put Sars in control. Aaron Myers had 0-5 for the reigning champions while Luke Elliot, James Sweeney, Ben Graham and Bryan Murphy all scored 0-3. For the Barrs, Sam Cunningham top scored with 0-6 and both Caolon O’Connor and Conor McCarthy landed a brace of points.

Finally, Glen Rovers moved into mid-table after they defeated Kanturk by 1-25 to 0-19 on Saturday. Dean Brosnan led the Glen charge with 0-7, Eoin O'Leary landed 0-6 while Evan Murphy hit Kanturk for 1-1. Rory Sheahan matched Brosnan's 0-7 for Kanturk, Brian O'Sullivan clipped over 0-3 and Alan Walsh scored 0-2.

In Division 2 Midleton remain on top of the pile as they made it four wins from four with a 2-24 to 2-19 win away to Newtownshandrum. Conor Morley had a dream debut for the Magpies, hitting a goal thirty seconds after being introduced at half time and he went on to clip three points. Cormac Beausang hit 0-8 for Midleton, Aaron Mulcahy scored 1-2 while Pa White raised three white flags. For Newtown, Jamie Coughlan was on fire as he hit 1-11, Conor Griffin landed the other goal and Jerry Lane scored 0-3.

Erin’s Own lie two points behind the Magpies with a game in hand after they beat Fermoy by 5-14 to 1-13 on Thursday. Sam Foley and Mossie Carroll top scored for the Caherlag based side with 2-1, Mattie O’Riordan lobbed over 0-3 while Sean Power scored the other goal.

Ballincollig made it back-to-back wins with a 1-18 to 0-14 victory over Valley Rovers on Good Friday. Brian Keating continued his good form as he hit 0-8 for Ballincollig, Adam Wills clipped 0-4 while Mark Oldham raised the green flag. Colm Butler was the Valleys’ main man with 0-6, as he was aided by 0-3 from Adam Kenneally and 0-2 from Chris O’Leary.

Killeagh and Ballymartle are on four points, along with Newtown, after the Carrigdhoun side edged Killeagh by 1-14 to 0-15 on Holy Thursday. Killian McCarthy was the main man for Ballymartle as he helped himself to 1-4 while Darren McCarthy clipped 0-4 and Simon Dorney landed 0-3. Richie Long was Killeagh’s top scorer with 0-5, Evan Lane hit 0-4 and Sean Walsh hit 0-2.

Finally, Na Piarsaigh recorded their first win of the campaigns as they bested Éire Óg by 1-19 to 1-14. Pádraig Guest raised the green flag for the city side while Keith Buckley, Kian Galvin and Salim Daly all played their part. Eire Óg’s goal came from Daniel Healy while Oisín O’Shea clipped 0-5 and Dave Casey scored 0-3.