Douglas' Cork duo Cadogan and Wilson forced off in championship loss to Bishopstown

THE injuries sustained by Douglas duo Eoin Cadogan and Sean Wilson in their Cork County SFC loss to Bishopstown will be a concern for Cork hurling boss John Meyler and his football counterpart Ronan McCarthy.

Although both Cork teams will not be in action for some time yet in the provincial championship arena, their withdrawal from the action last Saturday night at Páirc Uí Rinn will be a worry in both Cork senior camps.

Hurling full-back Cadogan was forced off early in the game with a hamstring injury while football panellist Wilson departed later with an ankle problem.

Douglas had already started the game without two more Cork hurlers Alan Cadogan and Shane Kingston and Cork footballer Sean Powter, all marked absent through injury and their absence was keenly felt as the Town deservedly secured their place in the third round of the SFC.

Another Cork footballer, Conor Dorman played a key role in their victory from his centre-forward berth and delivered three points from play.

The story of the first championship weekend of the season on Leeside, however, belonged to St Nick’s who secured their first, first-round victory in the SFC for 10 years after defeating Kiskeam.

This was a hugely significant win for the Blackpool team and it means that their relegation struggles of the past few years will now be a fading memory.

Their scoring hero was Liam Coughlan with a haul of 0-9 but right on his coat-tail was Glen Kennefick with a return of 2-2.

Team boss and former star, Robert Brosnan was delighted with the win.

“It is massive for the club to get that win just so they know what it feels like to win first-round games and, hopefully, we can push on now with a panel of an average age of around 22." 

There was a big win too for Valley Rovers over newcomers Mallow with the experienced Fiachra Lynch posting 1-8 for the Innishannon team In a very curtailed championship programme due to adverse weather conditions, there were notable wins for St Michael’s over Macroom and Newmarket over Na Piarsaigh in the Cork PIFC.

In the IFC, Glenville overcame Mayfield with leading scorer Dylan O’Donovan notching eight of their 13 points.