Maturing Kanturk deliver powerful opening statement

Daniel Harrington, Fr O’Neill’s battles against Alan Walsh, Kanturk. Pic: Larry Cummins

Cork Premier SHC: Kanturk 3-25 Fr O'Neills 2-15

A physically stronger Kanturk cut loose in Kilworth on Saturday, putting on one of their best displays to power past Fr O’Neill’s in the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC.

Hurling manager Tom Walsh was effusive in his praise after the achievement. 

“As a group of hurlers and footballers, Kanturk are probably at their best stage now in terms of where the maturity of the group is. I know some of them are gone over the hill a small bit maybe, but they are still there. The younger lads are after coming through and are in their mid 20s.

“This is our fifth year Premier senior and for the first three years we made steady progress, but last year we went backwards a bit because we had a lot of injuries to key players.

“They are all back. So, that made a big difference to our performance because we wouldn’t have a very big panel and when we lose a player it stretches us quite a bit.

“Our accuracy, which has let us down for quite a good few years, was good. Like, 16, 17 or 18 wides wouldn’t be a problem for us.

“We’re in a good place in hurling and football, two big wins, and two big statement wins. We used a few extra players as well and they got game time and I’m delighted with that because when you’re picking your team there are a few lads left out and they have the work done as good as everybody else. That is the downside of it.

“All-in-all, we are very happy with where we are. But at the same time, we know that the big guns are coming and we are not naive about that. We have a certain amount of positivity now and we’ll prepare for that. We know it will be a big test.” 

The major test he refers to is Glen Rovers (next) and Blackrock. By contrast, Fr O’Neill’s will have to get something out of these two games. 

They were competitive in the first half, after which they trailed 2-13 to 2-8, but despite the second-half wind advantage, they fell to a heavy loss.

They hit far too many wides and failing to take scores at this level is costly.

When Colin Walsh netted in the 13th minute, Kanturk moved 1-6 to 0-4 up - a move that also involved his brothers Paul and Alan - all three are 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 half-time.

A Paul Walsh effort 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 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 pure one-way traffic after that.

Kanturk’s third green flag was flashed in by Alan Walsh and it came after he rose highest to collect a delivery by Conor Noonan - Noonan being one of many to impress on the team.

Scorers for Kanturk: 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).

Scorers for Fr O’Neill’s: 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).

KANTURK: 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.

Subs: 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).

FR O’NEILL’S: 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.

Subs: B Dunne for R Cullinane (46), P Hassett for E Motherway (53).

Referee: Canice Walsh (Nemo Rangers).