Premier SHC: Glen Rovers' 97-year stay in the top flight is over following defeat to Kanturk
Darren Browne, Kanturk, up against Patrick Horgan, Glen Rovers. Picture: Jim Coughlan
GELN ROVERS have been relegated from the top tier of Cork hurling following a three-point defeat to a more balanced Kanturk outfit in a tense Co-Op SuperStores Premier SHC relegation play-off at Fermoy on Saturday evening.
The Glen’s 97-year involvement in the top table is now over as they will play in the Senior A ranks in 2024. They can have no complaints in this one, with their opposition just that small bit slicker and if it wasn’t for wayward shooting from Kanturk, the winning margin would have been greater. Kanturk ended up with 19 wides.
Glen Rovers, under huge pressure, started the game brightly with two early points from Simon Kennefick and Brian Moylan as they were aided by the wind. Kanturk slowly came into the match and by the twelfth minute, they led 0-3 to 0-2 courtesy of two Brian O’Sullivan frees and an Ian Walsh effort.
The Glen then rattled off 1-1 without reply in the space of a minute. Dean Brosnan with the green flag from close range following a clever pass from Kennefick. The sides traded points before David Noonan pointed from long-range for the Blackpool outfit, 1-5 to 0-4 after 20 minutes.
After wayward shooting on both sides, Kanturk rippled the back of the net after 21 minutes through an unstoppable shot from Liam O’Keeffe. Patrick Horgan, who was well marshalled by Darren Browne, pointed from a free before Colin Walsh replied at the other end, 1-6 to 1-5 after 29 minutes.
The sides swapped white flags before the short whistle, as the city outfit held a slender 1-7 to 1-6 advantage at the break.
Kanturk made a great start to the new half with two quick points from Alan and Colin Walsh to nudge their side ahead as the eventual winners were now aided by the wind. The sides exchanged white flags as Kanturk led 1-9 to 1-8 after 36 minutes. There was a lull in the scoring with the game on a knife edge, before Lorcán McLoughlin split the posts for the Duhallow side, 1-10 1-8 after 44 minutes. Glen sub Shane Busteed reduced the deficit down to a point before Mark Dooley’s top-notch shot was expertly saved by Kanturk netminder Grantas Bucinskas. An incredible save.
The Glen hit two of the next three points, 1-11 each after 51 minutes. An O’Sullivan close-range free nudged the team in green and white ahead until Alan Walsh extended their advantage with a fine point. The sides traded points as Kanturk led 1-14 to 1-12 with four minutes remaining.
Glen sub Lee Quilligan pointed as the game ticked into injury time, but Kanturk who were the better team, finished with the last two points from O’Sullivan.
Kanturk’s celebrations once the full-time whistle blew said it all. Bitter disappointment for Glen Rovers, as the proud city club will now play in the second tier in 2024.
B O’Sullivan 0-8 (0-5 f), L O’Keeffe 1-1, Alan Walsh 0-3, C Walsh 0-2, I Walsh, L McLoughlin 0-1 each.
P Horgan 0-7 (0-3 f), D Brosnan 1-1, D Noonan, B Moylan, S Kennefick, S Busteed, L Quilligan 0-1 each.
G Bucinskas; J McLoughlin, D Browne, C Mullane; T Walsh, J Browne, R Walsh; B O’Sullivan, P Walsh; C Walsh, I Walsh, Aidan Walsh; R Sheahan, Alan Walsh, L McLoughlin.
L O’Keeffe for R Sheahan (6, inj).
C Hickey; D Dooling, B Murphy, A Lynch; B Moylan, R Downey, E Downey; L Coughlan, D Noonan; S Kennefick, E O’Leary, D Brosnan; M Dooley, P Horgan, S Lynam.
S Busteed for S Lynam (42), Z Lynch for B Murphy, L Quilligan for L Coughlan (both 54), S McDonnell for D Noonan (57, inj), C Dorris for M Dooley (61).
Referee: Cathal McAllister (Aghada).
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