Imokilly hurlers hold off Glen comeback to complete three in a row

IMOKILLY withstood a brave Glen Rovers fightback to retain the Seán Óg Murphy Cup at Páirc Uí Rinn.

The divisional outfit completed the three in a row on the back of first-half goals from Seamus Harnedy and a Declan Dalton free, cancelling out a stunning Glen effort from Donal Cronin. Fergal Condon's charges had made the early running, with Will Leahy, Bill Cooper and Shane Hegarty splitting the posts before Cronin hit the net.

The favourites didn't waver and were in control thanks to those goals when leading by seven deep into first-half injury time, but Patrick Horgan scores either side of the break trimmed the gap.

The Glen, who won successive titles in 2015-'16, needed to raise another green flag to reel in the East Cork unit, who held for October glory once again. 

With a goal between the sides as the game headed into stoppage time Robert Downey was sent up as a target-man and the result was hanging in the balance, however sub Shane O'Regan sealed the deal for Imokilly.

The Glen still move forward into the Munster club championship, while Imokilly must next season plan without their Fr O'Neill's and Cloyne crew, including Ger Millerick, Dalton, Paudie O'Sullivan and Mark O'Keeffe, as those clubs are in the new second tier of senior hurling.

Manager Fergal 'Rasper' Condon is also finishing up on a high, he links up with Pat Ryan's U20 Cork hurling set-up in 2020.

Scorers for Imokilly: D Dalton 1-7 (1-4 f, 0-1 65), S Harnedy 1-2, B Cooper 0-3, A Spillane, P O’Sullivan, W Leahy, S Hegarty, S O’Regan 0-1 each.

Glen Rovers: P Horgan 0-11 (0-8 f), D Cronin 1-0, D Brosnan 0-2, D Noonan, L Coughlan, C Dorris 0-1 each. 

IMOKILLY: D O’Callaghan (Watergrasshoill); K Histon (Cobh), C Barry (Castlelyons), G Millerick (Fr O’Neill’s); S Hegarty (Dungourney), M Russell (Aghada), J Cronin (Lisgoold); B Cooper (Youghal), M O’Keeffe (Fr O’Neill’s); B Lawton (Castlemartyr), S Harnedy (St Ita’s), A Spillane (Castlelyons); P O’Sullivan (Cloyne), D Dalton (Fr O’Neill’s), W Leahy (Aghada).

Subs: S O’Regan (Watergrasshill) for O’Keeffe (53), J Stack (Castlemartyr) for Leahy (60).

GLEN ROVERS: C Hickey; S McDonnell, D Dooling, C Healy; R Downey, B Moylan, D Noonan; D Cronin, A O’Donovan; D Brosnan, P Horgan, D Cunningham; C Dorris, S Kennefick, L Coughlan.

Subs: A Lynch for Cunningham (52), D Busteed for Kennefick (56), D Tynan for Coughlan (59).

Referee: Nathan Wall (Ballincollig).