PIHC: Castlelyons continue to impress with big win over Blarney

Castlelyons 1-20 Blarney 1-14 

CASTLELYONS lay down a serious marker against Blarney at sun-scorched Mourneabbey on Saturday evening.

After dominant displays by these clubs in the opening weekend of the PIHC, both teams are leading contenders for the trophy this summer. 

Castlelyons were the better outfit here though. They led by seven at the break and, having shot 1-7 from play last Sunday at centre-forward, Cork defender Colm Spillane followed up with 1-5 here.

His brothers Michael and Anthony chipped in with another six points between them, while they had a balance across the pitch that suggests they'll take some stopping, even with Inniscarra, who beat them in last year's quarter-final still to play in the group. 

Indeed, It took a late goal from Keith Costello to put a gloss on the scoreboard for Blarney.

The first score arrived after just 25 seconds, from Blarney corner-forward Padraig Power. Yet that didn't set the tone. Castlelyons responded brilliantly with four unanswered points of their own from Anthony Spillane, Colm Spillane, Keith O’Leary and Michael Spillane.

Blarney couldn't settle and Castlelyons led by five points towards the end of the first quarter, but before the water break, Blarney came alive with scores from Power and former Cork minor Shane Barrett.

Immediately after the stoppage, Castlelyons exploded back into action. A long ball forward found Colm Spillane and he struck a fantastic goal from distance.

The East Cork outfit took here from here until half-time, charging seven points in front.

The second half was a much closer affair with both sides going for their scores, but Castlelyons had a lead to defend.

Good scores from Keith O’Leary and some fine points from Colm Spillane was enough to keep the Blarney threat at bay despite some good play from Barrett and Cork's Mark Coleman.

Scorers for Castlelyons: C Spillane 1-5,M Spillane (0-2 f), K O’Leary 0-4 (0-1 f) each, A Spillane 0-2, N O’Leary, C O’Neill, A Fenton, L Ducey and J Kearney 0-1 each.

Blarney: P Power and M Coleman 0-4 (0-3 f) each, S Barrett 0-3, K Costello 1-0, D Hanlon 0-2, P Crowley 0-1.

CASTLELYONS: J Barry; J O’Leary, C Barry, T Carroll; L Sexton, N O’Leary, C O’Neill; E Maye, K O’Leary; A Fenton, C Spillane, B Murphy; D Morrison, A Spillane (c), M Spillane.

Subs: L Ducey for A Fenton (16), J Kearney for D Morrison (37), R O’Regan for M Spillane (52), B Carroll for A Spillane (56), C O’Leary for R O’Regan (59). 

BLARNEY: P Hallissey; S Crowley, O Hegarty, D Walsh; B Ahern, P Philpot (c), A McEvoy; J Jordan, M Coleman; D Hanlon, P Crowley, C Murphy; K Costello, S Barrett, P Power.

Subs: R Murphy for P Crowley (h-t), B O’Connell for C Murphy (35). 

Referee: Alan O’Connor (Ballygarvin)