Brian Hurley hits late goal as to clinch league title for Castlehaven

Haven and Knocknagree will meet again in the championship. 

MAIN MAN: Castlehaven’s Brian Hurley shoots for a point as Knocnagree’s David Twomey seeks to block. Pic: Noel Sweeney

A last-gasp Brian Hurley goal earned Castlehaven the 2026 McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 county football league title at the expense of Knocknagree.

Two clubs scheduled to meet in this year’s Premier SFC group stages whetted the appetite following a high-scoring final in Macroom.

Inter-county representatives from both teams stood out. Knocknagree’s Patrick Doyle, Daniel O’Mahony and Eoghan McSweeney lined out against Rory Maguire, Conor Cahalane and Brian Hurley.

The latter had the most telling impact. Cutting inside a defender and arrowing a shot into the top corner, Hurley’s injury-time goal cemented a 3-18 to 1-23 Castlehaven triumph.

A terrific game, highlighted by four goals and seven two-pointers, two for the Haven and five for Knocknagree, saw the Carbery side come from seven down to win courtesy of Hurley’s last kick of the game.

The Cork inter-county forward contributed 1-9 with Conor Nolan and Jamie Walsh raising green flags. Jack Cahalane, Michael Maguire and Jamie O’Driscoll were also amongst the West Cork club’s scorers.

Anthony O’Connor, Denis R O’Connor (0-5 each), Michael McSweeney (0-4), Eoghan McSweeney (0-3) and Niall O’Connor (1-0) made important contributions despite ending up on the losing team.

Carrigaline celebrated promotion to Division 1 by edging Uibh Laoire 2-14 to 1-16 to claim the Division 2 county league title and newly introduced Paudie Palmer Memorial Trophy.

The sides were level with time almost up when Niall Coakley kicked the match-winning score. Coakley was one of the game’s standout performers and finished with 2-6. Jack McCarthy, Kevin O’Reilly, Brian Coakley and Cork senior Brian O’Driscoll scores were instrumental in Carrigaline’s victory.

Despite the defeat, Uibh Laoire will relish Division 1 football next year. Cathal Vaughan (0-5), Ian Jones (0-4) and Sean O’Leary (1-1) top scored for the Inchigeela outfit.

Kanturk proved too strong for Bishopstown to lift the Division 3 county league trophy. Liam O’Keefe (2) and Grantas Bucinskas goals helped the Duhallow club register a 3-15 to 2-14 league final win. Gary Holland and Colum Daly raised Bishopstown’s green flags.

Mark Lenahan scored 2-5 and Conor Hanlon racked up 1-7 as Buttevant overcame Glanmire 3-24 to 1-6 to become Division 4 county league champions.

Aghinagh came from behind to defeat Kilmacabea in the Division 6 county league final in Dunmanway. Down seven points at the short whistle, Aghinagh accrued 1-11 during the second period to win 1-15 to 0-14.

Luke Ring netted a crucial goal, Liam Twohig kicked eight points and Con Buckley fired over three two-pointers as the Muskerry club finished strongly. Colin McCarthy and Damien Gore combined for ten points but it wasn’t enough to prevent Kilmacabea’s defeat.

This year’s Division 5 decider went Mitchelstown’s way following a ten-point defeat of Canovee last Thursday.

Down three points at the break, a powerful second half display, fuelled by thirteen Cathail O’Mahony points, saw the Avondhu club emerge 1-20 to 1-10 winners. Another Cork senior, Seán Walsh (0-3), also played his part. Jason Cott (1-0), Shane Beston and Stephen Kenneally were amongst Mitchelstown’s other scorers.

Conor Dodd netted Canovee’s only goal and finished with 1-3 on a night Seán O’Connor, James Moynihan, Gavin Coleman and Mark Healy were also on the winners’ scoresheet.

Separated by a mere 11km, Carbery Rangers and St James met in an all-West Cork Division 7 league final on the same evening.

Managed by former Cork senior footballer and All-Ireland winner John Hayes, Rangers’ second string came out on top 2-16 to 0-9.

Late Eoghan Hayes and J P Eady goals put the seal on a commanding performance in which Jack O’Regan (0-5) and Mark Hodnett (0-4) provided the bulk of Carbery’s scores. Ian Evans, Colm Hayes, Aaron Hayes, Mark Evans, James O’Donovan and Sean O’Reilly scores weren’t enough to prevent a St James loss.

“We have used a huge number of players this year and the younger lads have all gained valuable experience,” Hayes said.

“It is brilliant for our club to be able to do that. Overall, the league has been great as you are getting proper games every two weeks.

“Our seniors have such a big panel. Not all of them are going to play senior. So, this (second team) is a great avenue for them to play good, quality games.”

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