IAHC and PJHC wrap: First-class displays by second teams in lower grades

Last year’s beaten finalists Midleton enjoyed a winning start in the Co-op SuperStores Cork IAHC as Aaron Mulcahy scored ten points in a 1-18 to 1-14 Group 1 win over Ballygiblin at Ballynoe on Sunday.

Garan Manley got the Magpies’ goal while Rory Hartnett landed three points against the All-Ireland junior champions of 2021-22. Ballygiblin’s goal came from Darragh Flynn, who also scored two points, while Joseph O’Sullivan contributed seven points.

Joining Midleton at the top of that group are another second team – Sarsfields beat Aghada by 2-12 to 0-13 in Dungourney. Aaron Myers marked his return from travelling with 2-7 – it is likely to be his only intermediate outing before he returns to senior action – while Fionn O’Connor was Aghada’s scorer-in-chief.

It’s a similar situation in Group 2, where Blackrock and Erin’s Own beat Bandon and Kildorrery respectively. Tom Grainger (two) and Seán Healy got the Rockies’ goals as they overcame the Lilywhites by 3-8 to 0-8 in Ballymaw while John O’Sullivan was among the points.

Erin’s Own, last year’s premier junior champions, got the better of Kildorrery on a 0-22 to 0-20 scoreline in Castletownroche. Alan Bowen had 16 of the Glounthaune side’s points.

In Group 3, it was a good weekend for East Cork sides. Youghal, who were relegated from premier intermediate last year, enjoyed a 2-16 to 0-11 win over Cloughduv at Church Road with Devon O’Donoghue in good form as he landed 1-5 while James Murray scored six points. At Castlelyons, Lisgoold cruised past Mayfield, winning by 4-25 to 1-12. Izaak Walsh and James O’Driscoll each scored two goals for the winners, who had ten points from Liam O’Shea.

The team that Erin’s Own beat in last year’s Premier JHC final, St Catherine’s, unfortunately suffered defeat in their opener – and it was another second team coming out on top as Glen Rovers triumphed in Lisgoold on Saturday night.

Conor Dorris scored 1-6 as the northsiders won by 1-16 to 1-15, with Seán O’Donoghue scoring five points for Catherine’s and goalkeeper Eoin Davis registering four. The Ballynoe side’s goal came from Matthew Mulcahy.

Another second team, St Finbarr’s, are with the Glen on top of Group 3 after they beat Argideen Rangers by 1-17 to 0-16 in Belgooly on Sunday. Ian Lordan scored 1-1 for the Barrs while Colm Keane, Kevin Flynn and Andrew Casey each scored two points. John Michael O’Callaghan shouldered the bulk of the scoring burden for the beaten Timoleague side.

Russell Rovers were on song as they opened their Group 1 campaign with a 1-23 to 1-13 win over Milford in Ballygiblin on Saturday. Brian Hartnett scored 1-6 for the Shanagarry/Ballycotton outfit with Luke Duggan Murray notching five points. Tadhg O’Flynn got Milford’s goal while Henry O’Gorman featured heavily among the points.

On Sunday, Meelin were 0-17 to 1-10 winners against Douglas in Glanworth – 11 of the Duhallow side’s points came from Nicholas Linehan with Jimmy McAuliffe scoring three. Douglas’s goal came from Gavin O’Shea.

Last year’s junior A champions Nemo Rangers came up against a strong Ballygarvan side, who won by 3-16 to 1-12 in Group 2 in Shanbally on Saturday. Gary White, Ray O’Halloran and Evan O’Connor all scored goals for the south-east side, with Michael Cussen getting seven points.

The other game in that group was played on Friday night, with West Cork rivals Kilbrittain and Barryroe evenly sharing 34 points between them. Mark Hickey had 12 points as Kilbrittain led by 0-17 to 0-15 in injury time but Olan O’Donovan sent over two late frees for Barryroe, giving him a final tally of ten points.