Watch and read: Blarney edge Castlelyons at the death in pulsating Cork SAHC contest

Castlelyons’ Leon Dooley slides past Blarney’s Stephen Mullane. Pic: Noel Sweeney

Cork SAHC: Blarney 1-21 Castlelyons 1-20 

This pulsating Co-Op Superstores Cork senior AHC contest in Riverstown on Saturday afternoon finished with a dramatic victory for Blarney, as Mark Coleman buried a close-in free in the fourth minute of stoppage time to snatch the points.

Coleman is one of the best around when it comes to these dead ball situations, however, what will disappoint Castlelyons most is the sliotar was brought forward to a more favourable position due to ill-discipline.

It was the third time in the game they were penalised for dissent.

Colm Barry received a second yellow card for the foul that led to the match-winning score.

So, heartbreak for 2025 finalists Castlelyons, who appeared to be heading for victory after they had late on turned a two-point deficit into a two-point lead.

Be sure though, we saw enough to suggest they could yet have a say in this championship.

Up against 2023 and 2024 finalists Blarney, there was never going to be too much between the sides, with free-takers Shane Barrett (marked by fellow county player Niall O’Leary) and Alan Fenton top-scoring respectively.

Both teams missed a fair share of good chances in a typical round 1 tie, which was nip-and-tuck throughout.

To begin with, Blarney were up-and-running courtesy of Hegarty's Olan and Cathal.

Castlelyons levelled matters, and then took the lead through a splendid long-range Colm Spillane effort.

Blarney edged in front once more with Cathal Hegarty, Barrett, captain Patrick Crowley and Pádraig Power scoring down the other end, 0-7 to 0-5 after quarter of an hour.

The first goal opportunity fell Castlelyons’ way when an Anthony Spillane shot was diverted out for a ’65, which Fenton converted. And they proceeded to knock over a run of unanswered points to take a two-point lead with 10 minutes of the first-half remaining.

Blarney staged a comeback and when Shane Mulcahy found Cian Barrett, they levelled nine apiece.

A tense moment between Castlelyons’ Colm Barry and Blarney’s Shane Barrett. Pic: Noel Sweeney

They scored twice more - to Castlelyons’ one - to hold a slender interval lead of 0-11 to 0-10.

Cian Barrett stretched the margin straight from the restart. They had a goal chance too, but Cathal Hegarty’s shot went wide.

A Niall O’Leary point sandwiched between two Cian Barrett white flags kept the east Cork men in touch.

Blarney would kick on through Coleman and Barrett frees.

Meanwhile, Fenton drew a great save from Conor Murphy.

Any time Castlelyons attacker Doocey got possession, he looked dangerous in around the house, and when Colm Spillane pumped in a long ball, he rattled the net after a fine high catch in the 39th minute, 1-12 to 0-15.

Jack Barry saved again, this time from Crowley.

Blarney stole a march once again, clipping points mainly from Barrett frees.

Castlelyons won their share of frees too, which Fenton was only too happy to convert.

Five minutes from time Blarney were clinging on to a 0-21 to 1-16 advantage.

A pair of Fenton frees, following fouls on Doocey and Fenton himself, tied proceedings.

Castlelyons, minus defender Colm McCarthy who missed out through an ACL injury, carried that momentum into overtime as sub Shane Cotter set up Doocey for the lead.

Doocey again linked with Keith O’Leary to put his side two up.

Coleman then showed his mettle for the decisive green-flag in the 64th minute.

All eyes now will be on the other Group 1 tie between Watergrasshill and Ballyhea, which takes this evening.

Scorers for Blarney: S Barrett (0-9, 0-8 frees), M Coleman (1-2, 1-1 frees), C Hegarty (0-3), C Barrett (0-3), P Crowley (0-2), P Power and O Hegarty (0-1 each).

Scorers for Castlelyons: A Fenton (0-10, 0-8 frees, 0-1 65), L Doocey (1-2), A Spillane (0-3), C Spillane, N O’Leary, J Kearney, K O’Leary and O Hallihan (0-1 each).

BLARNEY: C Murphy; S Crowley, C Power, S Mullane; O Hegarty, M Coleman, A McEvoy; D McSweeney, P Crowley (Capt); C Barrett, P Power, S Barrett; E Kirby, C Hegarty, S Mulcahy.

Subs: C McCarthy for S Mulcahy (48).

CASTLELYONS: J Barry; J O’Leary, C Barry, D Spillane; S Moroney, C Spillane, N O’Leary; J Kearney (Capt), E Maye; K O’Leary, O Hallihan, A Spillane; D Morrison, L Doocey, A Fenton.

Subs: S Cotter for E Maye (48), O Linehan for D Morrisson (53).

Referee: Patrick O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).

All footage courtesy of Clubber TV. For a special Clubber TV and Irish Examiner digital bundle, visit here. 

CORK GAA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Your home  for all the latest news, match reports, features, opinions and expert analysis from the Cork Club Championships.

CORK GAA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Your home  for all the latest news, match reports, features, opinions and expert analysis from the Cork GAA Club Championships.