Cork hurling talking points: Sars' new edge, northside battling back and Harty rookies shine

SARSFIELDS BARE THEIR TEETH:

The narrative around the new Premier Senior county champions' recent seasons was they didn't have the grit to match their wrists. Certainly, they'd fallen into a bad habit of losing tight games since they lifted the Seán Óg Murphy Cup in 2014.

While they progressed through this campaign displaying their trademark support play and nifty stickwork, they also had a defensive steel about them. They beat Blackrock in the quarter-final and Midleton in tight tussles, wins over the Barrs and Imokilly were more free-flowing but in the semi, they saved their season with a last-gasp Luke Elliot goal.

Different hurlers stepped up at different times. 

Hard-working forward Colm McCarthy denied Mikey Finn a certain point and Midleton a six-point lead at a key stage in the second half on Sunday. 

Dan Hogan was another Sars attacker who displayed a ferocious appetite for covering the hard yards. Likewise Jack O'Connor. 

Credit must go to John Crowley, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and the Sars management for getting the blend right, while the leadership of veterans Daniel Kearney, Conor O'Sullivan and Craig Leahy was as integral as Cathal McCarthy and Aaron Meyers' deadly accuracy from range.

CASTLELYONS CROSS THE LINE:

Heavy favourites against Kilworth, history looked to be repeating itself for Castlelyons in the PIHC final when they trailed coming down the stretch.

Ultra-reliable Alan Fenton had miscued a series of frees and Anthony Spillane was struggling for possession. In the closing stages though, Fenton nailed placed balls under severe pressure and Spillane grabbed three points from play to finish with 0-4.

Defensive anchors Niall O'Leary, Colm Barry and Colm Spillane came up with key interceptions in the dying minutes and remarkably, Noel Furlong's side didn't lead until the 61st minute. 

It was extremely tough on Kilworth, with Eoin Carey outstanding around the middle third, but Castlelyons avoided what would have been a harrowing third county final loss in four seasons.

NORTHSIDE PEDIGREE:

After Glen Rovers' shock relegation from Premier SHC this season, following Na Piarsaigh's demotion in 2022, northside hurling was deemed to be in crisis.

The reality is more nuanced of course and with a 12-team top tier and relegation, elite hurling in Cork has less margin for error than before.

The Glen's minors reminded us of the calibre of hurler on the northside with their rousing victory over Douglas in the Premier 1 final at Páirc Uí Rinn. Young guns like Conor McCarthy, Diarmuid Wall and Michael Tadhg Brosnan were outstanding and it was the club's second title in three seasons; they also reached the U15 decider.

That was followed by the AG beating Harty Cup champions Cashel in their group opener. The school is backboned by Na Piarsaigh club members and DJ Coffy and Ross O'Sullivan did the damage on the scoreboard. Mon and Cork hurling legend Seán Óg Ó hAilpín is also involved in the management.

STEPPING UP:

A host of schools in Munster have taken a leap of faith by opting for the Harty Cup instead of B-grade hurling this year. 

Coláiste Choilm in Ballincollig were among them and were a late De La Salle goal away from a famous victory in their first match; they also pushed Christians to extra time in the Dr O'Callaghan Cup last week. 

The likes of Johnny Galvin, Brian Dore, David O'Leary and Eoin Dwyer were in top form across those games.

Teachers Declan Hyland and David Bowen and schools coach John Dwyer deserve immense credit for trying to build a Harty Cup culture though their next two games are against powerhouses Ard Scoil Rís and St Flannan's.

FIRST CLASS SECOND TEAM:

One of the surprises of the club hurling season was Erin's Own landing the Premier Junior county, edging out St Catherine's in the decider. It helped that Robbie O'Flynn was available off the bench for the last two games but they'd an ideal blend of youth and experience in the squad. 

A remarkable achievement considering the Caherlag club doesn't have a production line on a par with neighbours Sars.

BRIDE PAY THE PENALTY:

Bride Rovers were through to the Senior A final after beating Blarney on penalties but an objection after a mix-up over their subs led to a rematch which the Mid Cork side powered through. Shane Barrett was on song and Gavin O'Mahony's charges moved with pace and purpose.

It's a bitter pill for Bride to swallow though after making a genuine error. It's very tough to beat a quality team a second time.