Keating strikes late as Na Piarsaigh end wait for championship victory

Elsewhere, Donncha O’Connor hit 0-17 as St Nicks and Ballydesmond played out a sensational 4-9 to 0-21 draw.

MATCH-WINNER: Na Piarsaigh's Alan Keating. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

Na Piarsaigh recorded their first championship football victory since 2021 when they struck late to edge Kinsale in a thrilling Group 2 encounter in the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork PJFC in Ballymah on Saturday.

Kinsale seemed to be set for victory when they led by 2-13 to 1-14 going into injury time, but a late, late goal from Alan Keating helped the northsiders snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Keating also contributed 0-4 to the cause while Keith Buckley hit Kinsale for 0-5, Michael Sheehan struck 1-1 and Sean Downey clipped 0-2. Kinsale will take heart from the 0-7 that their talisman, Brian Coughlan, kicked while two goals from Michael Murphy and 0-2 from James Murphy also helped put them into pole position.

They will play Cullen in four weeks’ time, with the Duhallow club sitting atop of the group thanks to their 2-18 to 0-13 win over Cobh in Mourneabbey on Friday. Luke Murphy was in imperious form for Cullen, as he kicked 0-8, including two two-pointers. Aaron Nolan helped himself to 1-2, Michael Twomey grabbed the other goal while Colin Walsh and Colin O’Leary both hit Cobh for 0-3.

Buttevant signaled their intent in Group 3 with a 2-17 to 1-12 win over Glenville in Ballyhooley. Mark Lenehan was their scorer in chief with 0-7, David Hanlon clipped 0-5, Conor Hanlon helped himself to 1-2 while Aaron Horgan raised their other green flag. Colin O’Keeffe hit 1-1 for Glenville in a game that was closer than the result suggests, while Josh Cooke clipped 0-3 with Ciarán O’Leary and Callum O’Mahony both registering 0-2.

Inniscarra marked their arrival to the competition with a 2-12 to 0-12 win over Millstreet in Donoughmore on Saturday night. Last year’s JAFC winners proved that goals win matches with Cork hurling star, Seán O’Donoghue, and Stephen Dornan landing the crucial majors. Millstreet were overly reliant on the significant talents of Darragh Cashman, who kicked all but two points of their total.

In Group 1, St Nicks and Ballydesmond played out a sensational 4-9 to 0-21 draw in Glantane on Sunday. Diarmuid Wall, Eoin O’Leary, Jake Brosnan and a penalty from Jack O’Sullivan raised the green flags for Nicks, but Ballydesmond stayed in touch thanks to a sensational 0-17 haul from the great Donncha O’Connor, including four two-pointers. His final score of the game put his side a point up deep into injury time, but St Nicks ‘keeper, Ross Cronin, slotted over the equalizer.

Canovee top Group 1 as a result of their 2-21 to 1-11 win over Urhan in Dunmanway. Conor Dodd and Sean O’Connor scored the goals for last year’s beaten finalists, while Jack Kelleher top-scored with 0-10 and Aidan Moynihan clipped 0-5.