Cork Hurling League round-up: Midleton secure spot in Division one final

Elsewhere Sarsfields recorded their third straight win to move up to second and in pole position to join Midleton in the league final, after they annihilated a depleted Douglas at home.

BATTLE: Midleton's Carthaigh Cronin and Luke Dineen tussle with Carrigtwohill's Liam O'Sullivan during their SHL clash. Pic: David Keane.

Midleton have mathematically secured their place in the Red FM Division 1 Hurling League final with two games to spare after defeating east Cork rivals Carrigtwohill at home on Sunday.

Three first-half goals sent them on their way as they overcame the visitors, Conor Lehane netting twice and Paul Connaughton grabbing the other as they finished 3-21 to 0-25 winners.

Cork senior Brion Saunderson was available between the posts once again and made a number of good saves, while full-back Ciarmhac Smyth impressed too. Carrig managed to fight back and draw level at 3-9 to 0-18 after 36 minutes, however, Midleton closed it out in the second period after James Mulcahy was sent off for Carrig.

Lehane was on song as he finished with 2-5 (0-4 frees), while Connaughton scored 1-3 and Cormac Beausang struck 0-4. Sean Walsh and Cork U20 Matthew Barrett were in fine form for Carrig, Walsh tallying 0-11 (six from play) and Barrett getting 0-3 (two from play).

Despite looking out of contention after the first four league games, Sarsfields recorded their third straight win to move up to second and in pole position to join Midleton in the league final, after they annihilated a depleted Douglas at home.

In the end Sars finished 24-point winners, Daniel Hogan (three frees) and Jack O’Connor tallying 0-6 each as they scored 1-34 to Douglas’s 0-13.

Cork U20 Barry O’Flynn was on song too scoring 0-5, while Luke Hackett finished with 1-2. Both Shane O’Regan and Brian Murphy tallied 0-4 from play.

The result is Douglas’s third league defeat which leaves them on eight points after seven games, tied for third with Charleville and St Finbarr’s, who were in action earlier in the week in Charleville. The north Cork side maintained their four-year unbeaten record at home with a nine-point win over the Togher outfit, 0-28 to 0-19.

David Forde continued his strong run for Charleville with 0-10 (five from play), while Robert Carroll scored 0-6 (two frees). Zack Biggane and Tim Hawe each clipped 0-3 from play, while Alan Dennehy was superb at centre-back.

St Finbarr’s enjoyed the availability of Ben Cunningham once more and he scored 0-10 (one from play), but Charleville’s collective effort ensured the Barrs rarely had the sight of goal they would need to take the lead from Charleville, after the hosts’ strong start.

Eoghan Finn returned to play his first game in over the year and clipped 0-3 from play, but the Barrs will be frustrated with the losses of Conor McCarthy and Rory O’Sullivan to injury, though.

Glen Rovers worsened Fr O’Neill’s relegation fears as they won 2-15 to 0-18 at the Glen Field on Saturday. Patrick Horgan scored 1-5 from placed balls while Simon Kennefick finished with 1-1 as the Glen goals proved to be the difference.

Kevin O’Sullivan was instrumental once more from placed balls for O’Neill’s and scored a total of 0-13, while Mark O’Keeffe scored 0-5, all from play, but it wasn’t enough for Ray O’Neill’s side. Lee Quilligan and Dean Brosnan hit 0-3 each for the Glen.

Still in the relegation spots alongside Fr O’Neill’s are Killeagh, after they were hammered by Blackrock on Thursday. It was a strong response for the Rockies, who remain with a chance of reaching the league final, though they sit three points behind second-placed Sars.

Their 1-30 to 2-15 win over Killeagh was achieved without Robbie Cotter, as Mike O’Halloran scored 1-5 (0-3 placed balls) and Fionn Coleman struck 0-6. Ryan Sweeney finished with 0-4, as they had 12 different scorers.

Cork U20 Ben Walsh played centre-back for Killeagh, while Eoghan Keniry (1-3) and Ryan McCarthy (1-1) grabbed the goals for the east Cork side.

In Division 2, Erin’s Own ended Bride Rovers unbeaten run with a 3-14 to 0-17 defeat to join the Rathcormac/Bartlemy side at the top of the table on 10 points. Adam Walsh top-scored for Rovers with 0-9 frees, while Conor Barry and Cian Hogan (frees) each scored 0-3.

Newcestown remain in the hunt for a league final spot after they dismantled Carrigaline, winning 0-24 to 1-12. Valley Rovers boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with a 1-16 to 0-11 win against Na Piarsaigh, with the northsiders now only sitting above the relegation places on points difference, following Newtownshandrum’s 0-22 to 0-17 win over Ballymartle.

Kanturk got the better of Ballincollig, winning 1-25 to 0-23 as Colin Walsh and Cian Clernon impressed. Liam O’Keeffe was influential from frees as Kanturk led 1-16 to 0-12 at the break, and while subs Eoin Dwyer and Tadhg Murphy changed the game for Ballincollig in the second half, a second yellow for Colin Moore left Ballincollig with too much to do.

In Division 3, Courcey Rovers took top spot from Blarney with a 1-22 to 2-16 win over Lisgoold, as Blarney suffered a 1-23 to 3-12 defeat at Ballyanly against Inniscarra.

Castlelyons got their first win on the board as they defeated Russell Rovers 1-19 to 0-12, though both teams remain in the relegation places.

Kilworth maintained their 100% record in Division 4 and guaranteed their place in the final with a 1-28 to 1-15 win over Kildorrery, while Aghabullogue defeated Ballyhea 1-22 to 0-16, leaving them tied for second with Mallow, as both teams have nine points.

Dungourney’s 1-21 to 2-10 defeat of Midleton secured their place in the Division 5 final with a game to spare.