Cork SHL: Cunningham fires Barrs to win over Blackrock, Lehane makes Midleton return

Cork U20 Mark O'Brien scored 1-6 from play for Douglas on his senior debut for the club. They had a 20-point victory over a depleted Killeagh side.

DERBY VICTORY: John Wiggington Barrett finished with 0-3 for St Finbarr's in their victory over Blackrock. Pic: Jim Coughlan.

St Finbarr’s brought down southside rivals Blackrock in Togher in the first round of the RedFM Division 1 Hurling League, as Cork senior Ben Cunningham tallied 0-14 (9 placed) in the win, while John Wigginton-Barrett finished with 0-3.

The Barrs fought back from three down at the break, but points from Cunningham (three) and Billy Hennessy late on sealed the win, with Robbie Cotter’s converted penalty merely closing the gap, as the Barrs won 0-22 to 1-18. Ryan Sweeney and Michael O’Halloran each hit 0-2 for the Rockies.

Reigning champions Sarsfields fell to an opening round defeat to Glen Rovers – without their Cork senior trio and the injured Patrick Horgan – as they won by four, 0-20 to 1-21 in Riverstown on Friday evening.

Stephen Lynam top-scored with 1-7 (0-4 frees) and took the goal well after clever work from Mark Dooley and Rhys Dunne in the buildup. Luke Horgan and Lee Quilligan were outstanding for the visitors, each contributing 0-4, while Dean Brosnan clipped 0-3.

Jack O’Connor was on form for the hosts as he finished with 0-6 from play, while Daniel Hogan contributed 0-5 (2 frees). Luke Elliott, Killian Murphy and Cian Darcy each hit 0-2 for Sars.

SOLID START: Mark O'Brien scored 1-6 from play on his senior debut for Douglas in their victory over Killeagh. Pic: David Keane.

Douglas secured a 20-point victory - 4-26 to 0-18 - over a depleted Killeagh side on Sunday morning, as Cork U20 Mark O’Brien top scored with 1-6 from play on his club senior debut, while Charlie Lucas (2-1) and Andy O’Connell (1-1) were the other men to raise green flags.

They dominated the opening half with the wind, leading 4-13 to 0-8 at the interval. Killeagh had just five of their starting team that were beaten by Carrigtwohill in the final round of the SAHC last season. Evan Lane was one of them, and he showed up well with 0-4 from play.

Charleville started the new campaign with a 1-21 to 3-12 defeat of Carrigtwohill at home, though not without a late scare.

Rob Carroll was excellent for the hosts as he scored five from play, plus a free from his own 65 that put Charleville five in front in the closing minutes.

Momentum quickly swung the other way when the excellent Justin Oke set up half-back Daniel Murnane for his second green flag, and after Seán Walsh landed a free heading into added time, the gap was one; 1-19 to 3-12.

Carroll would respond with his sixth point for Charleville and David Forde brought his tally to 0-4, as they saw it out by three points. Carrigtwohill’s Pádraic Hogan made his return after 18 months sidelined with injury, while Patrick Walsh netted the other Carrig goal.

Midleton brought down Fr O’Neill’s at home, winning 0-21 to 0-15 as they enjoyed the services of current Cork senior Brion Saunderson and former, Conor Lehane, who returned from injury to hit 0-3 (two frees).

Cian Stack made his senior bow when he replaced Lehane in the second half, while Conor Morley also came off the bench, clipping 0-2 as the hosts pulled away in the second half.

Fr O’Neill’s had led at the interval – 0-12 to 0-10 – Kevin O’Sullivan impressive as he finished with 0-12 (9 frees) while Tadhg O’Donoghue Brosnan scored 0-2.

Mikey Finn notched 0-9 (6 frees) for Midleton as Tadhg O’Leary Hayes impressed in defence. Half-time sub Cormac Beausang fired over an outstanding volleyed point from distance as the Magpies held their opponents to three second-half points.

Midleton’s Killian McDermott puts in a tackle on Fr O’Neill’s Olan Steele during their Cork SHL meeting. Midleton won the game by six points. Pic: Chani Anderson

In Division 2, Newcestown got the better of Na Piarsaigh, leading from the 16th minute until full-time to win 0-19 to 0-15 in Farranree.

Richard O’Sullivan finished with 0-10 (7 frees) while Seán O’Donovan and Ciarán O’Donovan each finished with 0-2 for the Carbery club. Padraig Guest led the way for the northsiders with 0-10 (7 frees) as they put up a solid performance with a number of debutants. Conor Meaney, Aaron Higgins, Pa Rourke and Cian Hogan all impressed.

Kanturk hammered Carrigaline, winning 3-22 to 1-11 as Cork senior Brian O’Sullivan top scored with 0-9 (5 placed). Colin Walsh contributed 1-4 while Daniel O’Connell hit 1-1. Lorcán McLoughlin struck 0-3 while Darren and John Browne both returned for Kanturk.

Bride Rovers got by Valley Rovers to win by the minimum, 1-17 to 1-16. Adam Walsh top scored for Rovers.

Ballincollig decimated Ballymartle, 2-23 to 0-12. James Dwyer and Brian Dore were excellent in defence for Ballincollig as Stevie Wills and Cian O’Driscoll each chipped in with 1-4. Cork senior Brian Keating finished with 0-6, while former Cork minor Leo Hennessy chipped in with two early points for Ballymartle, as Shane Cummins and Ryan Deasy also impressed.

Elsewhere across the divisions, last year’s PIHC winners Ballinhassig got off to a winning start in Division 3 against Courcey Rovers in Ballinspittle, 1-22 to 0-19. Éire Óg annihilated Castlelyons, winning 0-24 to 0-10 and keeping their opponents scoreless for the entire second half; they had led 0-11 to 0-10 at half-time.

Blarney saw off Fermoy, two first half goals key as they won 2-16 to 0-17. Inniscarra got the better of Russell Rovers, 0-21 to 1-14 in Ballyanley. In Division 4, Watergrasshill saw off St Catherine’s 1-17 to 1-14, while Aghabullogue hammered Cloughduv, 3-26 to 0-16.