RedFM Hurling League: Charleville remain top of Division 1 with a game left to play

Following the conclusion of the penultimate round of action in the RedFM Hurling League, the battle remains tight at the top but matters are clearer in the fight against relegation.

While Charleville failed to take advantage of a chance to book a place in the final with a game to spare as they lost to Blackrock, the North Cork side remain top of the table with 12 points from their eight games.

They are followed by reigning champions Sarsfields and Blackrock a point behind while two wins in four nights for Glen Rovers have lifted them to fourth place on ten and still in with a shout.

In the last set of games, Charleville host Carrigtwohill, who are safe in seventh, while the Glen host Douglas, who cannot now reach the final following their loss to Kanturk.

Blackrock go to Na Piarsaigh, who are battling against relegation but got a boost with a win over Ballincollig, who are bottom of the table and face Sars in their last match.

Na Piarsaigh and Ballincollig are both on four points with Kanturk. If Ballincollig were to win with Kanturk losing to Fr O’Neills, the mid-Cork side would stay up on head-to-head record but the Duhallow club have a similar advantage on Na Piarsaigh.

If the three clubs were to finish level on points, scoring difference would determine the placings.

In Division 2, leaders Midleton – currently seven wins from seven games played – were not in action but they can guarantee promotion and a place in the final with the avoidance of defeat against Newtownshandrum this Friday night.

The only other sides capable of moving to Division 1 for 2025 are Carrigaline and St Finbarr’s, with the south-east side having leapfrogged the Togher side by beating them on Thursday night.

Bride Rovers’ 4-17 to 0-18 loss to Erin’s Own on Sunday morning leaves the Rathcormac/Bartlemy club bottom of the table with three points from eight games, one behind Newtown (seven played) and Fermoy (eight).

Brian Murphy’s side’s last match is against Killeagh this Friday and they must win that and hope Newtown lose to Midleton at the same time and then to Erin’s Own the following week while they also need Fermoy to fall to Courcey Rovers.

Any other outcomes will mean Bride Rovers and one of the other two drop or Courcey Rovers to Division 3.

Erin’s Own’s goals in that win came from Robbie O’Flynn – raising green flags on consecutive days for club and county – Mossie O’Carroll, Cian O’Callaghan and Stephen Horgan.

Killeagh’s 1-21 to 0-19 win over Fermoy meant they will definitely be staying up. Richie Long landed nine points with Seán Walsh and Ryan McCarthy also on form. David Lardner had 13 of Fermoy’s points.

Courcey Rovers’ win over Éire Óg – 1-17 to 1-12 – gave them some breathing space as they moved to six points, two ahead of Newtownshandrum and Fermoy, but there is still a small possibility that they could end up relegated.

In Division 3, Ballymartle’s 0-20 to 1-14 win over Blackrock on Thursday night ensured that they will be in the final and also in Division 2 next year as they moved to 15 points, still four clear of Valley Rovers.

The Innishannon side beat Inniscarra but their two-point lead over Newcestown is contextualised by the fact that they have a game more played.

Bishopstown are relegated while Inniscarra must catch Blackrock or Blarney to avoid the drop.

REDFM HURLING LEAGUE RESULTS

Tuesday, June 11

Division 1: Glen Rovers 3-18 Blackrock 1-16.

Division 5: Midleton 0-18 Dungourney 2-15.

Thursday, June 13

Division 1: Na Piarsaigh 3-19 Ballincollig 1-15.

Division 2: Carrigaline 2-19 St Finbarr’s 1-12.

Division 3: Ballymartle 0-20 Blackrock 1-14.

Division 6: Erin’s Own 3-16 Sarsfields 2-18.

Friday, June 14

Division 1: Carrigtwohill 0-16 Glen Rovers 2-16, Douglas 1-18 Kanturk 1-24.

Division 4: Cloughduv 2-13 St Catherine’s 1-18.

Division 5: Ballygarvan 0-19 Midleton 2-21.

Sunday, June 16

Division 1: Blackrock 1-21 Charleville 2-13, Fr O’Neills 1-12 Sarsfields 3-21.

Division 2: Courcey Rovers 1-17 Éire Óg 1-12, Erin’s Own 4-17 Bride Rovers 0-18, Killeagh 1-21 Fermoy 0-19.

Division 3: Bishopstown 1-14 Mallow 0-26, Valley Rovers 0-24 Inniscarra 1-12, Blarney 3-16 Ballinhassig 2-25.

Division 4: Lisgoold 1-23 Youghal 0-14, Russell Rovers 3-23 Milford 0-10, Bandon 0-18 Kildorrery 0-18.

Division 5: Argideen Rangers 1-13 Watergrasshill 1-14, Castlemartyr 0-16 Mayfield 2-16, Cloyne 1-19 Aghabullogue 2-13, Dungourney 2-19 Tracton 2-18.

Division 6: Aghada 0-13 Kilbrittain 0-19.

Division 7: Ballinascarthy 0-15 Meelin 0-14, Ballinora 0-15 Nemo Rangers 1-16, Douglas 0-17 Kinsale 2-15.