Cork Hurling League round-up: Sarsfields on top after defeat of Charleville

It's cluttered at the top of the table with a couple of rounds to go.

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025 - 16:19

John Coleman

The top of Division 1 of the Red FM Cork Hurling League became even more cluttered over the weekend with just three points separating Sarsfields in first place and Charleville in seventh place with two rounds to play.

Indeed, had Charleville beaten Sars in Riverstown on Sunday morning, they would have topped the pile on nine points along with Douglas. However, Sars made home advantage count as they won on a scoreline of 1-21 to 2-14. Cork U20 star, Barry O'Flynn, made his presence felt for Sars by hitting 0-3 and setting up Ben Nodwell for the home side's major. Colm McCarthy hit 0-6 for Sars while Aaron Myers and Cian Darcy also hit 0-3. Colm Buckley clipped 1-2 for Charleville, Robert Carroll nailed 0-5, Danny O'Flynn and Andrew Cagney scored 0-3 while Garrett Gleeson scored their other goal.

Douglas went top on Friday after a late Charlie Lucas goal earned them a 3-16 to 2-19 draw at home to St Finbarr's. Another goal from Lucas and one from Cathal Hallihan had given Douglas the early impetuous, but the Barrs soon reeled them in. Sam Cunningham hit Douglas for 2-6, Caolán O'Connor fired over 0-3 while David Murray and Jack O'Kelly both clipped 0-2. However, 0-5 from Conor Kingston and a brace of points from Andy O'Connell kept Douglas close before Lucas struck for the late equaliser.

Glen Rovers lie a point behind Douglas, along with the Barrs, Fr O'Neill's and Blackrock after they beat the Rockies by 3-20 to 2-20 in the Glen Field on Thursday. The Southsiders looked set to take the points when they led by 2-19 to 1-16 with seven minutes to play. 1-5 from Kevin O'Keeffe, 1-1 from Fionn Coleman and 0-3 from both Tadhg Deasy and Ryan Sweeney had put the Rockies in pole position. 1-2 from Eoin O'Leary, 0-4 from Dean Brosnan and the free taking of Diarmuid Wall had kept the Glen in contention before their late fightback. Brosnan bagged a goal, as did Luke Horgan while points from Adam O'Donovan and Horgan sealed the deal.

Fr O'Neill's and Carrigtwohill played out a 1-20 to 0-23 draw in Aghavine on Sunday morning. 0-12 from Kevin O'Sullivan, 1-1 from Rob Cullinane and 0-3 from Billy Dunne and Peter Hassett seemed to have done enough to secure the points for O'Neill's. However, 0-9 from Sean Walsh and 0-4 from both Patrick Walsh and James Mulcahy kept Carrig close until Tomás Hogan's second of the day earned them a share of the spoils.

Finally, bottom two Kanturk and Carrigaline played out a thrilling 3-20 each draw in Kanturk. Brian O'Sullivan shot 1-5 for the home side, Alan Walsh fired 0-6, while a goal from Liam O'Keeffe and 1-1 from Daniel O'Connell gave them the edge. Carrig stayed on their tails all through, however, with Brian Kelleher clipping 0-11, including the equaliser, Éanna Desmond firing 1-2 and Kevin O'Reilly raising two green flags. Both sides will need to win their final two games to give themselves a real chance of survival.

Meanwhile in Division 2, Erin's Own and Midleton are both on 12 points with two rounds to play after they both won over the weekend. Their only potential challenger, Killeagh, lie two points behind.

Erin's Own, who remain on top as they enjoy the head-to-head advantage over the Magpies, beat Ballymartle by 2-16 to 2-14 in Caherlag on Saturday night. Conor Lenihan led the way for the home side with 1-6, Peter O'Shea landed 0-5, Shane Irwin bagged the other major while Barry Óg Murphy clipped 0-2. Brian Corry shot 1-1 for Ballymartle, Cillian Lordan scored the other goal, Ryan Deasy clipped 0-4 and Luke O'Callaghan scored 0-2.

Midleton took care of business at home to Valley Rovers on Thursday, winning by 2-19 to 0-16. Cormac Beausang hit 0-11 for the Magpies, with 0-6 coming from play, Luke O'Farrell landed 1-1 while Alex Quirke raised the other green flag.

Killeagh stayed in the race for promotion after the beat Éire Óg by 3-23 to 2-11. Dara Motherway shot 2-1 for the Imokilly men, Colm Leahy hit 1-3, Sean Walsh clipped 0-5 and Ryan McCarthy scored 0-4. Eoin O'Shea led the resistance for Éire Óg with 1-7, Oisín O'Shea raised the other green flag while David Casey and Kevin Hallissey both clipped 0-2.

Newtownshandrum moved into fourth spot as a result of their 3-19 to 1-16 home win over Ballincollig on Saturday afternoon. Eoin O'Mahony scored two goals for Newtown, Robert Troy hit 1-2 while 0-6 from Turlough O'Neill and 0-5 from Jamie Coughlan also proved crucial. Brian Keating kept up his good form in hitting 0-6 for Ballincollig, Mark Oldham scored 1-2 while Cian O'Driscoll and Conor Dalton both had a brace of points.

Finally, Na Piarsaigh put breathing space between themselves and Fermoy by beating the Avondhu men by 1-17 to 0-14 on Thursday. Daire Connery scored the major for Na Piarsaigh while Craig Hanifin and Kevin Moynihan offered him plenty of support up front while in defence Greg Healy and Ciarán Flynn played their parts well.