Cork IAHC round-up: Sars and Aghada seal semi-final spots

The Riverstown outfit will be the top seeds after their win over Aghabullogue.

Sat, 06 Sep, 2025 - 20:02

John Coleman

There was plenty of drama in the final round of group action in the Co-op Superstores Cork IAHC on Saturday afternoon. When the dust settled, Sarsfields and Aghada were the big winners as their victories over Aghabullogue and Ballygiblin, respectively, saw then take the direct route to the semi-finals. Bandon, Midleton, Aghabullogue and Erin’s Own all booked their places in the quarterfinals while Mayfield and Youghal will face off in the relegation playoff.

Sars will be the top seeds after their 3-13 to 2-13 win over Aghabullogue in Ballymah gave them top spot in Group 1. A Luke Hackett goal left Sars 0-8 to 1-4 behind at the break with Matthew Bradley hitting 0-3 for the Muskerry men. In tough conditions, a second goal from Hackett boosted Sars' hopes, but two goals from Bradley then put his side ahead. However, a goal from corner-back Kieran Walsh gave Sars the edge going down the stretch, though Aghabullogue, champions two years ago, will have a big say in the destination of this championship.

In Páirc Uí Rinn, Aghada claimed top spot in Group 3 as a result of their 2-20 to 1-15 win over Ballygiblin. A Fionn O’Connor goal from play and a William Leahy goal from a free helped Aghada to a 2-8 to 1-8 half time lead, and from there they had the class to pull clear. Noah Devoy, Charlie Terry and Ronan Murphy all landed three points for Aghada while the great Pierce O’Neill clipped over a brace of points. Ballygiblin finished on the bottom of Group 3 but their scoring difference keeps them safe.

Bandon claimed top spot in Group 1 after they bested Mayfield by 1-25 to 1-15 in Ballinhassig. That left them on four points along with Midleton, but with the Rovers beating the Magpies by 2-18 to 2-16 in Castlemartyr, they also ended up on four points. However, Bandon’s superior scoring difference saw them take top spot with Midleton finishing second and Rovers three points shy.

A Jack Cullinane goal on the stroke of half time was key for Bandon but the form of former Cork player, Mikey Cahalane, was their best performer. He hit Mayfield for 0-12 with 0-4 coming from play, Mark Sugrue clipped 0-3 while Cahalane was amongst four players to raise two white flags. Keith Punch goaled for Mayfield, and though Shane O’Donovan and Nicky Kelly both hit 0-5, they couldn’t get the win they needed to avoid finishing at the bottom of the group.

Josh Beausang inspired Russell Rovers to their win over Midleton. His late goal that came in between his tenth and eleventh points of the game to see his side go from 2-15 to 1-16 down to 2-18 to 2-15 in front. However, they needed two more points to better Midleton’s scoring difference. That hope faded when the Magpies were awarded a late penalty. A goal would have put Midleton into the semi-finals, but Aaron Mulcahy’s bullet was brilliantly stopped by Ross Walsh. Mulcahy tapped over the resultant ’65, his ninth point of the game, to secure his side’s safe passage to the knockout stages.

Erin’s Own took second spot in Group 3 when they beat Kildorrery by 2-12 to 0-15 in Dungourney. Kieran Murphy continued his incredible service to his club by hitting 1-7 while 1-3 from Andrew O’Sullivan was also crucial to the Caherlag based side’s victory.

Finally, in Cobh, Blackrock and Youghal played out a thrilling 3-16 to 4-13 draw. Tom Grainger, Ian O’Keeffe and Dean McCarthy had the goals for the Rockies, while Brett Moloney landed two goals for Youghal with Oisín Walsh and Bill Cooper scoring the others. It left both sides on one point in Group 2, but Blackrock’s superior scoring difference keeps them safe, while Youghal will play in the relegation playoff.

Cork Intermediate A Hurling Championship Semi-Finals: Sarsfields, Aghada.

Quarterfinals: Bandon v Erin’s Own, Aghabullogue v Midleton

Relegation Playoff: Youghal v Mayfield