Carbery crowned inaugural Derry Gowen Cup winners after impressive victory over Muskerry 

Gene O’Donovan’s Carbery side fully deserved the victory as they claimed this section for the first time since 2022.

Diarmuid Gowen (treasurer, Cork Co. Board) presents the Derry Gowen Cup to Carbery captain Damien Gore. Pic: Martin Walsh.

Carbery: 2-23 (2-3-17) Muskerry: 2-15 (2-1-13) 

Carbery had too much for Muskerry in the McCarthy Insurance Group Divisions/Colleges Premier SFC seeded final at Páirc Uí Rinn on Friday evening.

They are now the inaugural winners of the Derry Gowen Cup, named after a man who served his club, his division Avondhu, and Cork football with distinction across many years.

Gene O’Donovan’s side fully deserved the victory as they claimed this section for the first time since 2022. Three early orange flags laid the foundation and they never trailed at any stage.

Carbery led by six at the quick whistle, having been eight in front at one point.

They were never in danger and controlled the second half to close it out by eight points. Carbery now face UCC next month, with the winners advancing to the championship proper.

In sizzling heat, it was no surprise the game began as a slow burner. 

Carbery eventually hit the front through a Ryan O’Donovan two-pointer, followed by an orange flag from a free by the same player.

The Barryroe sharpshooter might have goaled too, but his effort was deflected away, while Olan O’Donovan was also unlucky with a goal chance.

It was one-way traffic ten minutes in, and the West Cork outfit registered their third two-pointer when Damien Gore slotted over. 

Muskerry got their first score after 13 minutes when Liam Twohig converted a free, 0-6 to 0-1.

They slowly began to get a grip, with Alan Quinn effective around the middle third. Muskerry kicked two of the next four points before Seán O’Hanlon billowed the net after Quinn’s strong involvement, leaving it 0-8 to 1-3 after 19 minutes.

Ryan O'Donovan of Carbery has Muskerry's Ryan Sabas for company. Pic: Martin Walsh.

That burst didn’t reflect the overall pattern, as Carbery pushed on again with three quick white flags, Olan Corcoran’s effort the pick of them. 

The sides traded scores as Carbery led 0-12 to 1-4, with Corcoran adding another beauty.

Carbery then got the goal they were craving when Cork footballer Ruairí Deane set up Aaron Hayes for an easy finish. 

They swapped white flags before Muskerry finished the half strongly with points from Liam O’Connor and Eolan O’Leary, leaving it 1-13 to 1-7 at the break.

A Twohig free got Muskerry moving early in the second half, but it didn’t spark a revival. Carbery stitched three points together to lead 1-16 to 1-8 after 38 minutes.

Sub Jack Kelleher pointed twice in quick succession for Muskerry before two goals arrived in short order. Deane looked to have put the game to bed before Ian Jones replied with a close-range finish, 2-16 to 2-10 after 44 minutes.

Gore and Corcoran pointed to restore breathing space. A Twohig two-pointer cut the gap to six, but Carbery remained comfortable.

Olan Corcoran of Carbery gets away from Muskerry's Mark Corrigan. Pic: Martin Walsh.

Carbery were 2-21 to 2-13 ahead after 54 minutes and firmly in control. Liam O’Connor and O’Hanlon pointed to reduce the margin again, but time was against Muskerry.

Carbery kicked the last two points to deservedly progress.

Scorers for Carbery: R O’Donovan 0-7 (1 2pt, 1 2pt f, 0-1 f), A Hayes 1-1, D Gore (1 2pt), O Corcoran 0-4 each, L Shorten, O O’Donovan 0-2 each, R Deane, L Hourihan, K O’Driscoll 0-1 each.

Scorers for Muskerry: S O’Hanlon 1-2, L Twohig 0-4 (1 2pt, 0-2 f), E O’Leary 0-3, I Jones 1-0, L O’Connor, J Kelleher 0-2 each, S Dornan, C Donovan 0-1 each.

CARBERY: C Madden (Barryroe); L Hourihan (St Colum’s), P Collins (Randal Óg), J Collins (Ilen Rovers); O Harrington (Kilmeen), K O’Brien (Gabriel Rangers), C O’Neill (Randal Óg); A Hayes (St James’), M Sheehan (Goleen); K O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers), D Gore (Kilmacabea, capt), R Deane (Bantry Blues); R O’Donovan (Barryroe), O Corcoran (St Mary’s), O O’Donovan (Barryroe).

Subs: S Daly (Randal Óg) for K O’Driscoll (h-t), L Shorten (Tadhg McCarthaigh) for O Harrington (37), R O’Driscoll (St Oliver Plunkett’s) for O O’Donovan (55), T Cronin (St Colum’s) for K O’Brien (61).

MUSKERRY: G Ó Luasa (Naomh Abán); R Sabas (Macroom), W Ronan (Kilmurry, capt), L Ryan (Inniscarra); A Quinn (Macroom), M Corrigan (Macroom), C Dodd (Canovee); C Donovan (Macroom), S Dornan (Inniscarra); M O’Brien (Ballinora), I Jones (Uibh Laoire), S O’Hanlon (Donoughmore); L O’Connor (Inniscarra), E O’Leary (Macroom), L Twohig (Aghinagh).

Subs: S O’Riordan (Naomh Abán) for R Sabas, J Kelleher (Canovee) for M O’Brien (both h-t), D Holland (Donoughmore) for C Dodd (41), D Morrissey (Donoughmore) for C Donovan (55).

Referee: Pa O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers).

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