Dungourney survive Newtownshandrum fightback to claim Cork Junior B honours

Ahead by just a single point in the final 10 minutes, the East Cork side had more left in the tank.

Sat, 29 Nov, 2025 - 18:46

Therese O’Callaghan

Cork Junior B HC Final: Dungourney 4-13 Newtownshandrum 1-16

Dungourney survived a stern test from Newtownshandrum in the Co-Op Superstores Cork (inter-division) junior B hurling championship final at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday.
Ahead by just a single point in the final 10 minutes, the East Cork side had more left in the tank.

Fionn Daly slotted an outstanding 54th-minute penalty after Cormac Griffin was fouled and it eased the nerves. In the first minute of second-half stoppage time Conor Sweeney added Dungourney’s fourth goal to push the winning margin to six. Proud joint-captains Pa Cullinane and Warren McCarthy then celebrated with the Dan Hoare Cup.

This was the second team from both clubs, but they proved to be battle-hardened and served up a quality final.

Séan McCarthy linked with Jack Hogan to fire the opening point for Newtownshandrum. Dungourney got off the mark soon after when James Ahern slotted a free, awarded for a throw-ball.

From the restart, the north Cork side pushed ahead through Cathal Bowles and a superb effort from Jack Twomey from near the sideline. However, a 1-2 contribution in a four-minute spell had Dungourney on the front foot with the wind at their backs.

Sweeney pointed before Griffin found the net in the 12th minute - his overhead strike on Daly’s delivery had them 1-4 to 0-4 up after 15 minutes.

Michael Thompson converted twice to narrow the gap, while McCarthy blocked a shot from James Ahern that could have put the Avondhu men ahead.

Goals went amiss at both ends through Ahern and Griffin. Dungourney enjoyed a successful end to the half with Ahern (free and 65) and Ciarán Flynn to leave it 1-9 to 0-7 at the break.

It was a four-point match when Dungourney made another move. Daly’s excellent cross found Colin Murphy and the number 11 rounded his marker to blast the net in the 40th minute, 2-10 to 0-9.

Newtownshandrum had goal chances, and one finally arrived when Pádraig Noonan fired a bullet 10 minutes from the end. Driven on by the green flag, Cathal Bowles and a superb McCarthy point reduced the deficit to one, 2-12 to 1-14 with eight minutes remaining.

Newtownshandrum were right back in it. However, Daly’s sublime penalty put Dungourney back in the driving seat.

In a tense finish and clinging to a three-point lead, Newtownshandrum threw everything at their opponents. In spite of being under severe pressure, they refused to concede a goal. Instead, they got one of their own through Sweeney and it proved to be the cherry on top.

Scorers for Dungourney: J Ahern (0-8, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65), F Daly (1-3, 1-0 pen), C Sweeney (1-1), C Murphy and C Griffin (1-0 each), C Flynn (0-1).

Scorers for Newtownshandrum: P Noonan (1-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), S Griffin (frees) and M Thompson (0-3 each), C Bowles, J Twomey and S McCarthy (0-2 each).

DUNGOURNEY: B Ahearne; S Rohan, C Padden, C Morgan; S Geaney, W McCarthy (J-Capt), N Flynn; C Ryan, D McGrath; C Sweeney, C Murphy, F Daly; C Flynn, J Ahern, C Griffin.

Subs: P Cullinane (J-Capt) for C Flynn (59), F Fives for C Murphy (62).

NEWTOWNSHANDRUM: PJ Noonan; E Sheedy, J Herlihy (J-Capt), S Young; K Coughlan, D Lane, T Buckley; J Hogan, C Bowles; J Twomey, P Noonan (J-Capt), C Quinn; S Griffin, M Thompson, S McCarthy.

Subs: C Naughton for C Quinn (36), P Twohill for K Coughlan (45), M Maguire for S Griffin (56).

Referee: Niall Hayes (Blarney).