Premier SHC: Muskerry pull clear in second half to see off Carbery

Muskerry 3-15 Carbery 2-9

A strong second-half performance from Muskerry helped them to open the Co-op SuperStores Cork Premier SHC divisions/colleges section on a winning note on Tuesday night.

The Castle Grounds in Macroom was the setting for the first action in the championship on what was a fine night for hurling. With both sides denied much chance to convene beforehand, the proceedings were scrappy at times – the winers’ tally of 19 wides a sign of that – but the Mid-Cork side improved as the game went on.

Leading by two points, 1-8 to 1-6, Muskerry had the opening three points of the second half through Cian O’Driscoll (two) and their best player, Eoin O’Shea to move into a lead that would never drop below four points thereafter.

Though a Pádraig O’Sullivan goal chance was saved by Carbery goalkeeper Michael Whelton in the 50th minute, another green flag did arrive soon after that when O’Shea set up Tadhg O’Connell, who, along with James Dwyer, was one of two Cork U20s in the victorious side.

Carbery, who face Duhallow next Tuesday in the second game of the three-team round-robin, did look to have at least improved their scoring difference slightly as Conall Cullinane plundered a goal for them as the 60-minute mark neared. However, in injury time O’Shea put the exclamation mark on his fine display with an excellent individual goal.

Hampered by that poor shooting in the first half – eight wides coming in the opening 17 minutes – Muskerry did much of the hurling but only just over half of the scoring. A couple of good Mark Hickey points had helped Carbery into an early lead before Muskerry hit the front, 1-2 to 0-3. Cian O’Driscoll was the man to find the net, reacting well after Adam Dinan’s effort was well-blocked Ryan Scanlon.

O’Shea’s third point put Muskerry a goal ahead before Carbery enjoyed their best patch of the game, points from Josh O’Donovan and Brian O’Donovan followed by a super goal from Hickey.

They led by 1-6 to 1-4 following a good Jamie Lucey point in the 24th minute but Muskerry ended the half well, Dwyer to the fore as Dinan, O’Shea and O’Connell found the target.

It left them going in two in front at half-time and they were able to push on in the second period.

Scorers for Muskerry: E O’Shea 1-6 (0-2f, 0-1 65), C O’Driscoll 1-3, T O’Connell 1-1, S Joyce, A Dinan 0-2 each, P O’Sullivan 0-1.

Carbery: M Hickey 1-4 (0-2f, 0-1 65), C Cullinane 1-0, B O’Donovan 0-2, J Lucey, J O’Donovan, B Deasy 0-1 each.

MUSKERRY: J Linehan (Ballincollig); B Corcoran (Éire Óg), M Brady (Éire Óg), F Denny (Ballincollig); P O’Sullivan (Aghabullogue), C McGoldrick (Éire Óg), D O’Sullivan (Ballincollig); O O’Driscoll (Cloughduv), S Joyce (Grenagh); M Bradley (Aghabullogue), E O’Shea (Éire Óg, Capt), C O’Driscoll (Ballincollig); A Dinan (Donoughmore), J Dwyer (Ballincollig), T O’Connell (Ballincollig).

Subs: P Kelly (Ballincollig) for O’Connell (46-47, injured), Kelly for Bradley (52), D Dineen (Éire Óg) for O O’Driscoll (57), O O’Shea (Éire Óg) for Dinan (59), R Murphy (Kilmichael) for Joyce (60), J Devine (Cloughduv) for C O’Driscoll (60+2).

CARBERY: M Whelton (Barryroe); R Scanlon (St Mary’s), S O’Riordan (Barryroe), C Murphy (Kilbree); B Deasy (Kilbree), P Collins (Randal Óg), B Butler (Kilbrittain); E Ryan (Clonakilty), J O’Donovan (Kilbrittain); M Hickey (Kilbrittain), G O’Donovan (Diarmuid Ó Mathúna, Capt), D Collins (Randal Óg); B O’Donovan (Ballinascarthy), C Cullinane (Ballinascarthy), J Lucey (Diarmuid Ó Mathúna).

Subs: P O’Sullivan (Randal Óg) for J Lucey (41), R Lucey (Diarmuid Ó Mathúna) for Collins (54), C O’Neill (Randal Óg) for Murphy (55), N Hilliard (Diarmuid Ó Mathúna) for Scanlon (60).

Referee: A Hyland (Kilworth).