Hat-trick hero Murphy fires Ibane to Carbery title as Kinsale and Mallow also triumph

Kinsale claimed a title at U21 divisional level for the first time since 2010 after they defeated Carrigaline.

Ibane Gaels defeated Bantry Blues 3-14 to 1-14 in the Clóna Milk Carbery U21 final. Pic: David Creedon

The break in action in the Cork senior football championships allowed the conclusion of many divisional U21 competitions across the weekend. When the action concluded, Ibane Gaels, Kinsale and Mallow joined Douglas and Ballincollig in the ‘A’ grade of the county section that will be played later in the year.

Luke Murphy was the hat-trick hero for Ibane Gaels as they beat Bantry Blues by 3-14 to 1-14 in the Clóna Milk Carbery Final played in Sam Maguire Park, Dunmanway on Friday. It was sweet revenge for the Timoleague/Barryroe amalgamation after they had lost out to Bantry in last year’s decider. 

Bantry were the better side in the opening half as points from Paddy Cronin and Jack Sheedy helped them into a 0-9 to 0-4 interval lead. Murphy and Mark Óg O’Sullivan traded goals after the interval before two more goals from Murphy tipped the tie in Ibane’s favour. Olan O’Donovan was also in fine form for the winners, kicking three two-pointer frees on the way to a haul of 0-9 while Murphy supplemented his three goals with three points. Sheedy and Cronin clipped 0-5 and 0-3 respectively for Bantry.

Kinsale found themselves on the winners’ podium at this level for the first time since 2010 in Carrigdhoun as they defeated Carrigaline by 2-18 to 2-12 in the Huntsman Bar and Restaurant final in Belgooly on Friday. Noah Ryan was Kinsale’s star man, with the wing-forward hitting Carrig for 2-3 off play with both goals coming in the second half. James Murphy with 0-7 and Gearóid Kearney with 0-3 also impressed for Kinsale while for Carrigaline, Ben Corkery-Delaney clipped 0-7 and Bríain Murphy landed their major.

Mallow retained their title when they edged a thrilling Barnes Jewellers Avondhu U21 Football final over Kilshannig in Glantane on Thursday evening. An early goal from centre-forward, Ben O’Shea, along with points from Kevin O’Connell and Trevor Kiely gave Mallow and early lead that Kilshannig were never able to reel in. A brace of points from Paddy Murphy and Cathal Mullins were also crucial for Mallow, as was O’Shea’s point. Ben Creedon with 0-5 and Alan O’Connell with 1-1 led the charge for Kilshannig on a night that they just came up short.

St Colum’s claimed their first Clóna Milk Carbery U21 ‘B’ football title in thirty years when they beat Ahán Gaels by 2-9 to 0-7 in Drimoleague on Saturday. Thomas O’Donoghue and Gearóid Cronin bagged the goals for Colum’s, while Olan Corcoran clipped 0-4 for Ahán Gaels. Finally, goals from Eoin O’Leary and Ben Heffernan helped St Nick’s to retain their PharmaCare Seandún U21B title when they beat Glanmire by 2-16 to 1-14 in Ballinlough.