The top scorers in the 2023 Premier SFC

AND just like that another Bon Secours Hospital Premier SFC comes to an end with Castlehaven kingpins for the first time since 2013.

It’s hard to believe it’s five and a half weeks since the decider which won’t be remembered as a classic, the complete opposite, but Castlehaven won’t mind a jot as they eked out an 0-11 to 0-9 victory over defending champions Nemo Rangers.

The championship didn’t pan out though as many people expected, St Finbarr’s were favourites for the Andy Scannell Cup despite losing the final to Nemo Rangers in 2022, but they fell at the semi-final hurdle to Castlehaven. Despite that, the Barrs sharpshooter Steven Sherlock finished up as the top scorer in the championship.

Speaking of the top scorer, Sherlock, as just mentioned finished top of the pile despite the Barrs playing four championship games. The Cork senior footballer ended up with 2-24 (1-0 pen, 12 f, 1 45). Sherlock delivered in every game for the Togher outfit, his performance in the second-half against St Michael’s in the second group game was quality. He literally took the game by the scruff of the neck and kicked points from all angles that day in Páirc Uí Rinn, he ended up with 0-7 (4 f) in a 2-10 to 0-9 victory.

Just a single point behind Sherlock was the evergreen Donncha O’Connor but it must be noted that Duhallow played seven championship fixtures as they had to navigate past their fellow divisional and colleges rivals before making the knockout stages of the championship where they reached the semi-final. The former Cork senior footballer kicked 0-29 (16 f, 1 45), but it wasn’t all about his point taking, his link up play was also superb. At 42 years of age, he’s still going strong, age is only a number they say. 

Ballincollig’s Cian Dorgan made it into third position with the Collig marksman landing 1-20 (8 f, 1 m) from four championship ties as Ballincollig's interest ended at the quarter-final stage at the hands of the eventual winners Castlehaven.

There are three players who were tied in fourth place. Brian Hurley of Castlehaven registered 1-19 (6 f, 2 m), which helped the Haven regain the Andy Scannell Cup. Carrigaline’s Brian Coakley had an impressive campaign on a personal level with the towering forward scoring 3-13 (3-0 pen, 7 f, 1 m), but it wasn’t enough to preserve Carrigaline's status as they lost to Mallow after a replay in the relegation playoff. 

Duhallow’s Mikey McAulliffe was instrumental in his sides progression to the last four of the championship with the Rockchapel player kicking 5-7, all from play. He was unlucky not to be included on the 2023 Reardens All-Star team, but given he played in the full-forward line, it did go against him given the caliber of forwards he was going up against to make the dream team and also in the seven championship games Duhallow played, four were against divisional teams and UCC, so the standard wouldn’t have been as high as playing a club team.

Nemo Rangers’ Mark Cronin was another player who was desperately unlucky not to make the All-Star team. The forward kicked 1-17 (9 f) in six championship matches. Castlehaven’s Michael Hurley was a peripheral figure as he failed to score in the first championship group-stage game against Carbery Rangers but thundered into the championship after that. In the five Cork championship games after the Ross match he ended up with 0-18 (1 m). That is incredible going and who will forget his point late on against Ballincollig in the quarter-final from nearly the corner flag and his performances in the semi-final and final against St Finbarr’s and Nemo Rangers respectively.

Another player who ages like fine wine is Valley Rovers’ Fiachra Lynch. The veteran helped his club avoid a relegation playoff in 2023 when they defeated Carbery Rangers by six points in the last championship group game. Lynch finished the championship with 0-17 (8 f, 2 m, 1 45), as he’s joint ninth with four players. Douglas’ Conor Russell hit 1-14 (8 f, 1 m), Luke Murphy of Duhallow had a stellar season with the Cullen player hitting 2-11, all from play, but his general game was top notch which led him to being named on the All-Star team.

Castlehaven’s Jack Cahalane really pushed on this season, he notched up 2-11, all from play, while finally Nemo Rangers' Luke Connolly ended up with 2-11 (6 f).