Cork junior champions Russell Rovers are defeated at Croke Park

That said, there no shame in losing out to their formidable Kilkenny counterparts - for whom James Bergin and Kieran Mooney amassed a combined tally of 17 points.

Inside duo Bill Murphy and Mooney raised white flags for the 2008 champions and while the lively Brian Hartnett responded in fine style, Conahy reeled off four points in succession through James Bergin (three) and Mooney.

A brace of Luke Duggan Murray singles were cancelled out by Conahy strikes from Tom Phelan and Bergin, but Hartnett was later on cue to split the posts off a 40th-minute free. Hartnett assumed dead-ball duties in the absence of Beausang in the earlier round and once again proved himself to be an able deputy.
