Sherlock in top form for the Barrs in Kelleher Shield final

St Finbarr's 3-17 Cill na Martra 2-10

AN eighth Kelleher Shield, their first in 19 years, underlined county champions St Finbarr's status as number one in Cork at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday evening.

Their anticipated victory over plucky Cill na Martra added the Rochestown Park Hotel Division 1 league title to the Andy Scannell Cup garnered in magnificent fashion last season.

Barrs had first use of the wind, but it was the premier intermediate side which started brightly, captain Shane Dineen pointing after 20 seconds.

He kicked a second moments later only for the Gaeltacht club to have to wait half-an-hour for their next score, a goal in the third minute of injury-time.

It was a much-needed boost after the 'Barr's had kicked eight points in succession to take a firm grip with man-of-the-match Stephen Sherlock leading the way with some brilliant scores.

The centre-forward was initially marked by the other number 11, Cork panellist, Tadhg Corkery, but Sherlock's switch inside paid dividends, as reflected in three points on the trot.

Eoghan Finn was also showing up with a couple of points, the same as midfielder Colm Keane, who thundered forward impressively.

Cill na Martra's ultra-cautious approach restricted their scoring opportunities though they had the ability to pose difficulties close to the target.

That was most notable in the 15th minute, when a shot by Daniel O hUrdail was blocked out for a 45 by a diving defender, but Cill na Martra eventually found a way through.

A brilliant Corkery pass sent Daniel O Duinnin clear and he duly made no mistake for a goal, which gave his side a timely boost heading to the dressingrooms, trailing by 0-9 to 1-2.

And when wing-back Sean O Foirreidh tacked on a point immediately on the resumption, the 'Barr's had now only a three-point advantage.

But, a flowing move involving Enda Dennehy, Adam Lyne and captain Ian Maguire, sprung from the bench after only six minutes due to an injury to Eoin Comyns, ended with Lyne supplying the final touch for a well-worked goal.

Credit Cill na Martra for keeping going right to the end, but any time they came within sight of the 'Barr's in their rare-view mirror the Togher club accelerated away.

A second goal from Colm Scully after 49 minutes and another from Dennehy, three minutes from the end of regulation time, helped 'Barr's lead by 3-15 to 1-9.

A second Daniel O Duinnin goal was a just reward for Cill na Martra's brave efforts.

Scorers for St Finbarr's: S Sherlock 0-6 (0-1 f), A Lyne and E Dennehy 1-1 each, C Scully 1-0, C Keane, E Finn and R O'Mahony 0-2 each, C Lyons, P Kennedy and M Shields 0-1 each.

Cill na Martra: D O Duinnin 2-2, 1f, S O Duinnin 0-3, M Deasuna and D O hUrdail 0-1f each, S O Foirreidh, M O Duinnin, T Corkery 0-1 each.

ST FINBARR'S: P O'Neill; O Murphy, J Burns, A O'Connor; C Lyons, G O'Connor, C Scully; E Comyns, C Keane; D O'Brien, S Sherlock, E Dennehy; E McGreevey, E Finn, A Lyne. 

Subs: I Maguire, captain, for Comyns injured 6, M Shields for Finn 44, R O'Mahony for Lyne 45, C McCarthy for Murphy 54, P Kennedy for Lyons 56, M Griffin for Scully, A Murphy for Keane, C Buckley for Sherlock and J Linehan for McGreevey 59.

CILL NA MARTRA: A O'Conaill; M MacLochlainn, G O Mochain, E O Loinsigh; S O Foirreidhm, N O'Laoire, C O Laoire; S O Ceilleachairm G O Goillidhe; D OhUrdail, T O Corcora, D O Conaill; D O Duinnin, M O Deasuna, S O Duinnin, captain.

Subs: C O Duinnin for C O'Laoire and A O Cuana for O Ceilleachair half-time, F O Healaithe for O Foirreidh and M O Duinnin for O hUrdail 45, F O Faolain for D O Conaill, G O Faolain for S O Duinnin and M O Conchuir for M Deasun 58.

Referee: A O'Connor (Ballygarvan).