Cork IAFC: Ballinora in pole position to join Adrigole in knockout stages

It's all still to play for in groups 2 and 3. 

Ballinora drew 1-13 each with Glanworth at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Adrigole are into the knockout stages of the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork IAFC as a result of their 2-13 to 1-8 win over St Finbarr’s in Skibbereen on Saturday. 

The Beara men laid their foundations early with two goals in the opening six minutes from Charlie and Ben O’Sullivan and from there, they were never going to be caught. Tom O’Connor kicked 0-8 for Adrigole, including a two-pointer, Cian O’Shea clipped 0-2 while Ben O’Sullivan, David Harrington and Gerard O’Shea all raised white flags. Jamie Linehan had 0-4 for the Barrs, Denis O’Brien landed their goal late on and Matthew Ahern clipped a point.

Ballinora are in pole position to join them after they played out a 1-13 apiece draw with Glanworth on Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn. Robert Quirke, once again, led the way for Ballinora, slotting home a penalty and scoring two-pointers both from play and from a free. Kevin Werner and Michael Quirke were also in good form for Ballinora, both kicking 0-3. Daragh O’Brien kicked 1-6 for Glanworth, while Shane O’Riordan landed 0-6, including the equalising two-pointer.

Ballinora and Adrigole will clash to see who takes top spot in Round 3, while a win for Glanworth over the Barrs would give them a chance of qualification.

Nothing is yet decided in Group 2 but Kildorrery and Gabriel Rangers are locked on three points each at the top after they played out a 1-15 apiece draw in Belgooly on Saturday. Paddy O’Driscoll had 1-2 for the west Cork men while Keith O’Driscoll, Eddie Goggin and James O’Regan all kicked 0-3. James Keating and Anthony Crowley both kicked two two-pointers for Kildorrery and Cathal Harrington clipped another but the hero of the hour was Pierce Pigott who landed the equalising goal with the last kick of the game.

Mitchelstown got their campaign back on track with a 2-16 to 0-17 win over Dromtarriffe in Glantane on Sunday. Jason Cott hit Dromtarriffe for a game defining 2-2, James Sheehan landed 0-8 while Cathail O’Mahony kicked a point on his return to action. Conor O’Callaghan, Evan Murphy and Andrew Healy all clipped 0-3 for the Duhallow men.

Mitchelstown will play Kildorrery in Round 3, while Gabriel Rangers will take on Dromtarriffe.

It’s all to play for in Group 3, too. Ilen Rovers and Kilmurry played out a 1-14 each draw in Rossmore on Saturday that leaves both sides on three points at the top of the table. Dan McEoin kicked 0-6 for Ilen, Adrian O’Driscoll helped himself to 0-3 and Daniel Coakley planted their goal. Sean O’Leary raised the green flag for Kilmurry, Liam Wall kicked 0-5 including a two-pointer while Kyle Kelleher clipped 0-4, the last of which levelled the game.

Boherbue are well placed behind them after they beat St Vincent’s by 1-14 to 1-12 in Kilmurry on Sunday. David O’Connor had 0-5 for Boherbue, Alan O’Connor banged in the goal while CJ O’Sullivan and John Corkery both clipped 0-2. Blake Murphy led the resistance with 1-6 for Vincents, while Benjamin Long kicked 0-2.

Boherbue will play Kilmurry in their final game, while Vincent’s will need to beat Ilen to stave off the threat of relegation.