Cork Hurling League: Hungry Barrs boost final bid after defeating Killeagh

The Barrs did well to lead by five at the break, and two second-half goals from Rickey Barrett and Ben Cunningham pushed them into a lead they would not relinquish.

Sun, 03 May, 2026 - 14:23

Jack McKay

St Finbarr’s have given their hopes of reaching the RedFM Division 1 Hurling League final a considerable boost after they defeated Killeagh 2-17 to 0-17 on Sunday.

The Barrs did well to lead by five at the break, and two second-half goals from Rickey Barrett and Ben Cunningham pushed them into a lead they would not relinquish. Cunningham totalled 1-6 (0-2 f) for the Barrs, while Jack Cahalane and John Wigginton-Barrett scored 0-3 from play each.

Killeagh were led by Evan Lane, the midfielder scoring 0-5 as he continues his hugely impressive start to the season. However, the East Cork club are now under real pressure of facing the drop, especially after Carrigtwohill picked up a point against the Glen on Thursday evening.

Denis Walsh’s side have only lost two of five games, and their 2-25 to 4-19 draw was hard earned. Seán Walsh was phenomenal for Carrig, finishing with 2-10 in total, 2-8 from play. Walsh was the man to salvage the draw late on after Patrick Horgan had put the Glen ahead. Horgan was impressive, finishing with 1-13 (0-5 f, 0-2 65), while Mark Dooley scored 1-1. The other Carrigtwohill goalscorers were Daniel Nolan (1-1) and Cillian Barry (1-0).

Midleton maintained their 100% record with a fifth consecutive win, defeating Charleville at home on a scoreline of 2-17 to 0-12. Despite Charleville drawing level at the beginning of the second half, the Magpies raced away in the third quarter to eventually win by 11.

Conor Morley struck for two goals in that second period, while Killian McDermott finished the game with five points from play for Midleton. Cormac Beausang and Conor Lehane each managed 0-3 from play.

David Forde top-scored for Charleville with 0-4 (0-3 f) but a lethargic second half cost them a shot at victory.

Southsiders Douglas kept themselves in the league final conversation with a fourth win in five, pushing ahead in the final 10 minutes to defeat Fr O’Neill’s 0-21 to 0-17 in Aghavine.

Level at 0-15 each with 10 to play, Douglas hit four points without reply to take the lead and see out the win. Mark O’Brien continued his superb start to the season as he clipped 0-9 (0-3 f), while Cillian O’Donovan finished with 0-4 (0-1 f) for Douglas.

Kevin O’Sullivan was O’Neill’s top scorer again with 0-9 (0-7 f), while John Millerick struck 0-4.

The other Division 1 game saw Sarsfields dominate Blackrock in Riverstown to win 4-15 to 0-14, after a relentless display from former Cork hurler Jack O’Connor and Daniel Hogan. O’Connor finished with a superb 1-5 from play, while Hogan managed that same 1-5 (with 1-4 from frees). Sam McNamara and Darragh Long were the other Sars goalscorers, Long in particular was outstanding and would have had a second green flag were it not for a superb hook from Steve Murphy in the first half.

The Rockies’ top scorer was Robbie Cotter, who scored 0-10 (0-7 f, 0-1 65), but Cotter, Fionn Coleman and Daniel Meaney were the only Blackrock players to score from play.

In Division 2, Na Piarsaigh got themselves back on track as they inflicted a first defeat of the season on league leaders Erin’s Own, winning 1-18 to 0-19.

Bride Rovers maintained their unbeaten run, having fought back to take the lead late before Newtownshandrum’s Turlough O’Neill clipped over a late point to snatch a draw, 2-18 to 3-15.

Adam Walsh scored 0-9 (0-8 frees), while Conor O’Riordan and Cillian Tobin (penalty) netted the Rovers goals. Geary brothers Ronan and John goaled for Newtown, while Steve Minihane hit the other.

Newcestown came from 0-15 to 0-8 down in the 38th minute to finish level with Ballincollig, 0-19 apiece.

Centre-back Colm O'Donovan, sub Ciarán Hurley and attacker Richard O'Sullivan were highly influential while Edmund Kenneally was outstanding from placed balls, converting nine.

James Dwyer and David O'Sullivan were strong in defence for Ballincollig. Harry Ahearne excelled at midfield and Stephen Wills nailed four in the first half from play, leaving Ballincollig 0-11 to 0-7 in front at the break.

Ballincollig were 0-19 to 0-17 ahead late and looked to have sealed the win, before Newcestown keeper Cathal Wilson arrowed over two monster frees in the closing stages to complete the comeback.

In Division 3, Éire Óg and Blarney consolidated their positions at the top, the Ovens outfit managed a 0-21 to 1-16 home win over Courcey Rovers, while Blarney were very convincing in their 2-20 to 0-13 win against Castlelyons.

Last year’s beaten Senior A finalists are still without a point after five games, and sit bottom of the table behind Russell Rovers on scoring difference. Inniscarra and Bandon played out a draw in Ballyanley, 1-20 to 3-14, while Lisgoold got the better of Fermoy, 1-24 to 1-18.

Watergrasshill moved to the top of the Division 4 table after beating Kildorrery 2-18 to 1-20, though Kilworth – who also have eight points – have a game in hand on the Hill. Ballyhea and Bishopstown currently sit in the relegation places, after the pair were beaten by Cloughduv and Blackrock respectively.

Dungourney remain at the top of Division 5 with five straight wins after they beat local rivals Castlemartyr, 1-20 to 0-13.