Cork IAHC: Midleton tame Bandon to take control of group as Sars see off Blackrock

Round 2 Round-Up: Russell Rovers took their chance to join Bandon on two points by beating Mayfield by 5-15 to 2-12 in Caherlag while Kildorrery played out a 1-16 to 0-19 draw with Ballygiblin in Glanworth on Sunday.

Sun, 17 Aug, 2025 - 21:05

John Coleman

Midleton are in control of Group 1 of the Co-op Superstores Cork IAHC after they made it two wins from two by beating Bandon by 1-20 to 1-15 in Church Road on Sunday afternoon. It was a win that didn’t look likely at the break as Bandon led by 1-10 to 0-7, but the Magpies, inspired by the accuracy of Aaron Mulcahy, turned it around. Mulcahy slotted over 0-7 from frees for Midleton, Evan McGrath struck for 1-1 while Adam Daly and Paul Haughney both struck 0-3 from play. Mikey Cahalane was Bandon’s top scorer with 0-5, Charlie Long sniped 0-4 while Ciarán McCarthy landed their major.

Russell Rovers took their chance to join Bandon on two points by beating Mayfield by 5-15 to 2-12 in Caherlag. Brian Hartnett was in inspirational form for Rovers, as he hit Mayfield for 3-3 from play. Josh Beausang was at his brilliant best for the Shanagarry men, scoring 1-8 with 0-3 coming from play while Conor Ahearne planted the other goal and Ciarán Sheehan had a brace of points. The result leaves Mayfield pointless despite Nicky Kelly rattling 1-10 and Calvin O’Donovan clipping 1-1. Mayfield will need to beat Midleton on the final day to avoid a flirtation with relegation, while Russell Rovers need to beat Midleton to guarantee themselves a place in the quarterfinals.

Aghabullogue continued in their quest to bounce straight back up after last year’s relegation from the PIHC by beating Youghal by 2-22 to 2-11 in Group 2 in Lisgoold on Saturday. Matthew Bradely was Youghal’s tormentor in chief, as he clipped 1-8 with 1-2 coming from play while John Corkery struck for 1-1. Odhran O’Connell scored 0-4 for Aghabullogue, Luke Casey sniped 0-3 while Shane Tarrant and James Foley both had a brace of points.

Sarsfields 0-22 to 1-14 win over Blackrock on Sunday evening in Whitechurch meant that both themselves and Aghabullogue are through to the knockout stages as they both have four points on the board. Barry O’Flynn hit 0-13 from placed balls for Sars, Daniel Kearney rifled over 0-4 while Ciarán Cormack planted the goal for the Rockies.

Sars clash with Aghabullogue in Round 3 will be for the right to go straight to the semi-final, while Blackrock and Youghal will be fighting for their status.

Aghada are on top of Group 3 as a result of their 1-27 to 0-17 win over Erin’s Own on Friday night in Carrigtwohill. Will Leahy continued his outstanding form for Aghada by hitting 0-10, the great Pearse O’Neill struck for 1-1, Charlie Terry and Jamie O’Hanlon both contributed 0-4 while Ronan Murphy shot 0-3. Kiern Murphy scored 0-9 for Erin’s Own, while Shane Irwin and Will Fenton both clipped 0-2.

Kildorrery’s second draw of the campaign meant that they joined Erin’s Own on two points. They played out a 1-16 to 0-19 draw with Ballygiblin in Glanworth on Sunday. Peter O’Brien led the way for Kildorrery with 0-5, James McEniry shot 1-1, Davy Kelly and James Keating both clipped 0-3 while Luke Keating and Dylan Kent fired 0-2. Darragh O’Flynn scored 0-9 for Ballygiblin, including the last two scores that forced the draw, while Shane Beston and Aaron O’Brien both clipped 0-3.

It will be all to play for in this group when Erin’s Own play Kildorrery and Aghada take on Ballygiblin in three weeks’ time.