William Buckley returns for St Finbarr's as they outgun Courcey Rovers

St Finbarr’s 1-21 Courcey Rovers 0-14 

ST Finbarr’s came away with a deserved 10-point victory over Courcey Rovers in this Red FM Hurling League Division 2 clash at Cloughduv.

There were numerous positives for Ger Cunningham’s Barrs to take away from this contest, which saw Caolan O’Connor slot over 0-11, while they still have a host of first-teamers to return.

They are unbeaten in league action with five wins and two draws from seven games and are closing in on promotion with two matches left.

In the opening half, St Finbarr’s commenced on the front foot, with Cork U20 hurler William Buckley slotting over an early score, followed by an O’Connor placed ball.

Courceys got up and running through the clinical Richard Sweetnam, who most certainly had his scoring radar on. O’Connor continued to score though, which along with a Kevin O’Flynn point meant they led 0-6 to 0-3 after 15 minutes.

Further points by Sweetnam kept Courceys in touching distance, which was added to by a score from Brendan Ryan.

A lovely Sam Cunningham point came during a strong spell towards the end of the opening half an hour of action, with the same man getting another point and what proved to be the final score of the first half as the Blues had a 0-13 to 0-6 advantage.

The Barrs kept the scoreboard ticking over in the second half through O’Connor and netted when the sliotar was worked towards O’Flynn who was unmarked at the far post. 

Although Sweetnam continued to score consistently for Courceys into the second half, by the 45th minute the Barrs were in firm control. Shane Kearney got a well-taken point from distance, with Padraig Buggy also chipping in.

Cunningham was a lively attacking threat and showed wonderful skill before slotting with 48 minutes played to make it 1-19 to 0-13.

Sweetnam kept the scoreboard ticking but it was not enough on this particular evening. 

The Barrs rounded off a very productive outing and it was fitting that Caolan O’Connor had the final say following what was a very impressive individual performance.

Next up for them is an away trip to face Carrigaline on June 13. The same weekend Courceys are at home to Éire Óg.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: C O’Connor 0-11 (0-9 f), S Cunningham 0-4, K O’Flynn 1-1, W Buckley 0-3, P Buggy, S Kearney 0-1 each.

Courcey Rovers: R Sweetnam 0-12 (0-10 f), B Ryan, L Collins 0-1 each.

ST FINBARR’S: S Hurley; C Steele, S O’Leary, C Doolan; A Barry, E Finn, C Buckley; A Casey, C Crowley; C O’Connor, S Cunningham, W Buckley; C Keane, P Buggy, K O’Flynn.

Subs: S Kearney for Steele (h-t), A Buckley for O’Flynn (44), M Nason for C Buckley (54), D Murray for Keane, R O’Sullivan for O’Leary (both 58).

COURCEY ROVERS: R Nyhan; D Collins, K Collins, F Lordan; M Collins, C Daly, L Collins; C Roche, J O’Callaghan; R O’Callaghan, B Ryan, DJ Twomey; B Mulcahy, O Crowley, R Sweetnam.

Subs: B Collins for Mulcahy (38), N Moloney for O’Callaghan (53), B White for Daly, L Mulcahy for O’Callaghan (both 57).

Referee: Brendan Barry-Murphy (Aghabullogue).