Cork Premier JHC final: Kilshannig stun St Catherine’s to land second county title in a row

The Avondhu side, who won the County JAHC last year, trailed for much of the contest but secured the silverware with a late flourish

CHAMPIONS AGAIN: Kilshannig joint-captains Kieran Twomey and Darragh O'Sullivan celebrating their victory over St Catherine's in the Premier JHC final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Pic: David Keane.

Kilshannig 1-23 St Catherine’s 2-19

A second county title on the trot and what a way to do it, as Kilshannig stunned St Catherine’s with a powerful fourth-quarter display to claim the Co-Op SuperStores Premier JHC title following a great battle at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday night.

The Avondhu side, who won the County JAHC last year, trailed for much of the contest and were six points down with 15 minutes left.

However, the introduction of Éanna O’Hanlon, along with big displays from the likes of Kieran Twomey, Paddy Walsh and Jack Twomey, steered their team to glory.

It was a one-point success in the end. St Catherine’s did raise a late green flag, but it proved too little, too late.

It’s more heartbreak for St Catherine’s, who lost back-to-back finals in 2023 and 2024.

They were seven points clear at the short whistle after a strong second quarter, boosted by a somewhat fortuitous goal just before the break.

While they had the benefit of the wind in the opening half, they will have regrets over how the closing stages of the second half panned out.

St Catherine’s were aided by a strong wind in the first half, but it was an even start at 0-2 apiece, largely down to the accuracy of Paddy Walsh, who landed two points for Kilshannig, one from a free, as they remained patient against a stiff breeze.

Colin Ruby nudged the Avondhu men ahead, but St Catherine’s replied with two white flags, with Gearóid O’Brien’s effort from near the sideline the highlight, for a 0-4 to 0-3 lead after ten minutes.

However, Kilshannig looked the more confident side, with a strong spine in defence as Colm O’Shea and Bill Curtin hurled a world of ball.

Jack Twomey was leading the way up front as Kilshannig moved 0-7 to 0-5 ahead with 13 minutes remaining in the half.

Kilshannig celebrating their victory over St Catherine's in the Premier JHC final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Pic: David Keane.

Three St Catherine’s points from Daniel Mangan (free), Matthew Mulcahy and another beauty from O’Brien handed the men from Imokilly the upper hand in a topsy-turvy opening half.

Eoghan O’Riordan’s physical presence and Kian O’Donoghue’s influence after moving out from full-forward helped St Catherine’s enjoy a sustained spell of pressure as the aforementioned O’Donoghue and Brian Mulcahy pushed their team three points clear, 0-10 to 0-7.

The sides swapped white flags before a wonderful piece of skill resulted in O’Brien scoring his third point.

St Catherine’s would lead by seven points at half-time after a goal right on the stroke of the whistle when Matthew Mulcahy’s effort for a point dropped short, deceiving Kilshannig goalkeeper David Kearney as the ball trickled into the net, 1-12 to 0-8.

Kilshannig required a strong start to the second half for many reasons, not least because of the wind factor and the scoreline.

Ruby pointed a minute into the new half, but Kilshannig were wasteful in the early stages.

The sides traded points in what was a slow-burning second period, with St Catherine’s leading 1-13 to 0-10 after 38 minutes.

A boomer from full-back Colm O’Shea, arguably the score of the match, left Kilshannig five adrift as they started to get a grip around the middle third, with Jack Twomey excellent.

A Kieran Twomey free left four in it, but a pair of Mangan efforts, one from a free, settled St Catherine’s, who led 1-15 to 0-12 after 43 minutes.

They maintained that six-point buffer, 1-17 to 0-14, with a quarter of the game remaining.

Substitute Éanna O’Hanlon pointed for Kilshannig, but St Catherine’s were keeping their opponents at arm’s length.

The sides traded white flags until efforts from Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Tom Cunningham left Kilshannig just three points behind, 1-18 to 0-18.

It was level with five minutes to go when O’Hanlon set up Diarmuid O’Sullivan for an excellent finish to the net.

Ruby pointed to put Kilshannig in front, but St Catherine’s substitute John Temple levelled proceedings.

Kilshannig would not be denied. They hit four points on the trot to seal the title.

Seán O’Donoghue struck for a goal right at the end to leave just a point between the sides, but it was Kilshannig’s day.

Scorers for Kilshannig: K Twomey 0-7 (0-4 f), Diarmuid O’Sullivan 1-2, P Walsh 0-4 (0-1 f), J Twomey C Ruby 0-3 each, C O’Shea, É O’Hanlon, T Cunningham, K Smith 0-1 each.

Scorers for St Catherine’s: D Mangan 0-6 (0-5 f), M Mulcahy 1-1, G O’Brien 0-4, S O’Donoghue 1-0, K O’Donoghue 0-2, E Davis (0-1 f), C Leamy, D O’Connell, J Neville, J Temple, B Mulcahy 0-1 each.

KILSHANNIG: D Kearney; C Murphy, C O’Shea, E Burke; K Twomey (j-c), B Curtin, Darragh O’Sullivan (j-c); A Hourigan, K Smith; D Murphy, J Twomey, T Cunningham; C Ruby, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, P Walsh.

Subs: R Crowley for K Smith (16-20, temp), É O’Hanlon for P Walsh, R Crowley for A Hourigan (both 39), D Guiney for C Murphy (55), P Walsh for R Crowley (59).

ST CATHERINE’S: E Davis; C Leamy, J Neville, P Keane; C Hegarty (c), E O’Riordan, O Fitzgerald; D O’Connell, E Condon; G O’Brien, S O’Donoghue, M Mulcahy; K O’Donoghue, D Mangan, B Mulcahy.

Subs: W Leamy for E Condon (46), J Temple for G O’Brien (52), D Morrison for B Mulcahy (55), C Pietropalolo for D O’Connell (57).

Referee: Niall Hayes (Blarney).