Five-goal Kinsale send O'Donovan Rossa down after extra-time

Kinsale hung on to win 5-7 to 3-11 and maintain their senior status for another year.

At the top end of the Cork LGFA championships, MTU Cork will host eight county finals over the weekend. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Fri, 02 Oct, 2026 - 21:39

Ger McCarthy

O’Donovan Rossa have been demoted from the Cork Credit Unions Cork LGFA senior county grade following a relegation play-off defeat to Kinsale.

Barryroe hosted Friday evening’s relegation eliminator, an all-West Cork affair between two clubs that struggled for form in this year’s county championship.

O’Donovan Rossa, 2023 All-Ireland LGFA junior champions and 2024 intermediate county and Munster winners, faced off against this year’s West Cork senior champions, Kinsale.

The latter led 2-1 to 0-5 at the conclusion of a nervy opening half thanks to a Catherine Murphy green flag and converted Caoimhe Horgan penalty.

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O’Donovan Rossa roared back in the second period and ensured a tense encounter finished level, 2-6 to 1-9, courtesy of Sarah Hurley’s goal.

That meant extra-time where, once again, Kinsale’s ability to find the net would prove crucial.

Catherine Murphy’s second goal saw her team regain the lead only for Rossa’s Ellen Healy to net twice and ensure her side changed ends 3-9 to 3-7 ahead.

Kinsale were not to be denied however, as Áine Kearney and Caoimhe Horgan both found the net to make it 5-7 to 3-9 midway through the second period.

Admirably, their Skibbereen-based opponents fought back to trail by two points with less than a minute to go.

Kinsale hung on to win 5-7 to 3-11 and maintain their senior status for another year. Éabha O’Donovan’s six-point haul wasn’t enough to prevent Rossa’s relegation.

At the top end of the Cork LGFA championships, MTU Cork will host eight county finals over the weekend. Sunday’s senior A decider between 2024 champions Aghada and 2025 intermediate county winners Naomh Abán assumes top billing.

FIXTURES

Cork Credit Unions Cork LGFA county finals (All MTU Cork)

Saturday, October 3

Intermediate: Bride Rovers v Inch Rovers (4pm), JAFC: Carrigaline v Erin’s Own (2pm), JBFC: Bandon v Ilen Rovers at (1pm), JEFC: St Colum’s v St Catherine’s (3pm).

Sunday, October 4

Senior A: Aghada v Naomh Abán (4pm), Senior B: Clonakilty v Glanmire (2pm), JFFC: Banteer v Dripsey (1pm), JDFC: St Michael’s v Courcey Rovers (3pm).