Watch and read: Kanturk put Fr O'Neills to sword after second-half masterclass in Cork PSHC
Daniel Harrington of Fr O’Neill’s battles against Alan Walsh. Pic: Larry Cummins
A masterclass from Kanturk and probably one of their best performances since promotion to the top tier of hurling five years ago.
They turned on the style, particularly with a stunning second-half display, to defeat Fr O’Neill’s by 13 points in the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC opening round in Kilworth on Saturday.
They now go into the two-week break with maximum points in the football and hurling championship, which is creditable considering it is a dual club that balances both.
As a consequence, Fr O’Neill’s will have it all to do with city giants Blackrock (next) and Glen Rovers to come in the group.
The east Cork side were competitive in the first half, after which they trailed 2-13 to 2-8, but despite having second-half wind advantage, they eventually fell to a heavy loss.
They hit far too many wides (17 to 10) and failing to take scores at this level is costly.
A physically stronger Kanturk were six points to four in front when Colin Walsh goaled from close range in the 13th minute - a move that also involved his brothers Paul and Alan - all three were massive aerial threats up front.
Declan Dalton never shies away from a goal opportunity, and when he was fouled near the 20-metre line six minutes from the break, his execution was precise, 1-10 to 1-7.
It roused the crowd, leading to a second Fr O’Neill’s goal a couple of minutes later that drew them level, and it was a brilliant individual effort from John Millerick, who had a lot of work to do before sidestepping a few defenders to rattle the net.
Fr O’Neill’s then took the lead through a Jason Hankard point.
And it could have got better for them only for a point-blank save by Grantas Bucinskas on a Hankard strike.
The interception helped Kanturk regain their rhythm and they were able to up the pace in a critical two-minute spell just before Canice Walsh’s short whistle.
They constructed a Paul Walsh point that skimmed over the bar. Ryan Walsh split the posts. And in stoppage time Liam O’Keeffe doubled on an Alan Walsh cross to find the net and send them into a five-point lead at half time.
The O’Neill’s wide tally was worrying. Yet a sublime Dalton sideline left it a three-point game in the 42nd minute, 2-14 to 2-11.
It was at this stage the wheels came off and they were outscored 1-11 to four points during the remainder of the match - Kanturk’s third green flag was a rocket flashed in by Alan Walsh in the 43rd minute and it came after he rose highest to collect a delivery by Conor Noonan.
Noonan was among those to impress around the middle third.
Kanturk subsequently pulled away and they signed off with 12 different scorers, including seven white flags raised by free-taker and captain Brian O’Sullivan. Substitutes James Fitzpatrick and Ian Walsh also got in on the act.
B O’Sullivan (0-7, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65), C Walsh (1-3), L O’Keeffe (1-2), A Walsh (1-0), P Walsh (0-3), C Noonan, L O’Neill and R Walsh (0-2 each), L McLoughlin, D O’Connell, J Fitzpatrick and I Walsh (0-1 each).
D Dalton (1-5, 0-4 frees, 0-1 sl), John Millerick (1-4 each), J Hankard (0-2), K O’Sullivan, M O’Keeffe, Joe Millerick and P McMahon (0-1 each).
G Bucinskas; J McLoughlin, T Walsh, C Mullane; L McLoughlin, D Browne, R Walsh; B O’Sullivan (Capt), C Noonan; D O’Connell, P Walsh, L O’Neill; C Walsh, A Walsh, L O’Keeffe.
M Healy for C Mullane (46), I Walsh for L O’Neill (50), C Sheahan for T Walsh (53), J Fitzpatrick for P Walsh (59).
P O’Sullivan; M Millerick, D Harrington, T Millerick; Joe Millerick, G Millerick, R Kenneally; E Motherway (J-Capt), K O’Sullivan (J-Capt); M O’Keeffe, D Dalton, R Cullinane; J Hankard, John Millerick, P McMahon.
B Dunne for R Cullinane (46), P Hassett for E Motherway (53).
Canice Walsh (Nemo Rangers).
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