Cork's Declan Dalton knocks over 0-12 as Fr O'Neills show they're up for relegation fight
FIGHT: Fr O'Neills' Kevin O'Sullivan looks to break clear of Barrs' duo James Murray and Jamie Burns in Sunday's Red FM Cork SHL Division 1 clash in Togher. Pic: Jim Coughlan.
A stellar showing from Declan Dalton halted Fr O’Neill’s losing streak in Cork's RedFM Division 1 Hurling League, as their 2-21 to 0-17 win over St Finbarr’s in Togher put their first points on the board and gave the Ladysbridge/Ballymacoda outfit a sliver of hope in their relegation battle.
O’Neill’s had suffered five straight defeats up to that point, but Dalton’s availability and his haul of 0-12 (0-6 frees, 0-1 sideline) helped them to a commanding win over a St Finbarr’s side missing several key players, including Ben Cunningham.
O’Neill’s led early and looked assured throughout, while Jason Hankard and Jack Finn hit the goals to seal victory. Conor McCarthy continued to impress for the Barrs with 0-5 from play and a point from a sideline, while James Murray clipped 0-3. There’s now a three-way tie for second place, with Douglas and Sarsfields matching the Barrs’ tally of eight points.
Glen Rovers’ 2-18 to 0-15 win Sunday over Douglas puts them on five points with Blackrock – the Rockies were beaten earlier in the week by Midleton – and this was the northsiders’ second win of the campaign. Veteran forwards Patrick Horgan and Dean Brosnan brought their best again, Hoggy tallying 1-9 (0-6 frees, 0-2 65s), while Brosnan’s haul of 1-4 came exclusively from play. Mark Dooley chipped in with 0-3, too. Douglas were without Shane Kingston, Alan Cadogan and Mark O’Brien, so Diarmuid Coleman oversaw placed-ball duties, finishing with 0-6. Conor O’Donovan scored 0-3.
Reigning champions Sarsfields propelled themselves into the final conversation after bringing down Carrigtwohill, 1-19 to 0-16. Jack O’Connor scored an impressive 1-4 from play, as he was influential again at wing-forward. Daniel Hogan scored 0-5 from placed balls, while Sean Walsh continued his strong form for Carrig with 0-9 (0-4 frees). Cillian Roche and Cian Darcy showed up well for Sars.
It was a frustrating result for Carrigtwohill, who have one win from six games, despite consistently showing up well against Premier Senior opposition. While they remain outside the relegation places in eighth, they’ll need a win from their contest with Killeagh next month to preserve their place in Division 1.
Charleville’s victory over Killeagh aided Fr O’Neill’s and Carrigtwohill’s survival ambitions, as the north Cork outfit swatted aside their opponents on Sunday, winning by 19 points in Charleville.
Tim Hawe struck for goal in the first half to give Charleville a comfortable 1-15 to 0-8 interval advantage, and they pushed further clear in the latter act when Zach Biggane – who finished with 0-2 – was introduced, and Gareth Gleeson hit their second goal, leaving it 2-22 to 0-11.
Rob Carroll finished with 0-6 (two frees) for Charleville as they won 2-26 to 0-13, while David Forde struck for 0-5 (three frees), Conor Buckley 0-4, and Sean Bresnan 0-3. Dylan McCarthy top-scored for Killeagh with four placed-ball points, while Evan Lane delivered once again, scoring two from midfield.
In Division 2, Bride Rovers extended their unbeaten run with another victory, finishing 1-22 to 1-15 winners over winless Ballymartle. They led by four at the interval after having enjoyed the services of Brian Roche for the first half, as he chipped in with 0-3 from play. Ronan O’Connell finished with an impressive 0-6 from play while Adam Walsh hit 0-7 (0-5 frees), as Louie Roche hit 1-1.
In their first hurling game since the passing of Darragh King, Carrigaline clawed back in injury time to defeat Newtownshandrum with a last-gasp goal from Sean Andrews, sealing a 3-15 to 2-16 win, their first of the campaign.
They had led for much of the game, but goals from Ronan Geary and Kieran Sullivan had Newtown ahead until Andrews hit the net to secure an emotional win.
Ballincollig hit six points on the spin to seal a 0-17 to 1-14 draw with Na Piarsaigh on Friday. Peter Lehane’s goal in the third quarter had the northsiders 1-14 to 0-11 clear, but Fenton Denny and David O’Sullivan led the Ballincollig surge. Stephen Wills finished with 0-5 for the Muskerry club, while Cian Buckley and Kevin Moynihan impressed for Na Piarsaigh.
In the other Division 2 game, Newcestown’s two goals were the difference as they bested Valley Rovers, 2-18 to 0-18.
In Division 3, top of the table Blarney got their fifth win on the board after defeating Russell Rovers 0-19 to 0-12, while second-placed Bandon got the better of Éire Óg, 1-17 to 1-13.
Courcey Rovers and Ballinhassig each hit four goals as they secured their fourth wins of the campaign, Courceys besting Fermoy, 4-26 to 0-17, while last year’s Premier Intermediate winners Ballinhassig defeated Inniscarra, 4-23 to 1-17.
Kilworth stretched their winning streak to five to move top of Division 4 after beating second-placed Watergrasshill, 2-19 to 0-23.
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