Premier SFC: Muskerry hold off Duhallow to advance to the quarter-finals 

Muskerry: 3-13 

Duhallow: 2-15 

Muskerry have claimed the Tadhg Crowley Cup for the first time after seeing off Duhallow in an enjoyable McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC divisions/colleges final at Macroom on Friday evening.

As well as going home with the trophy, the Mid-Cork outfit have also booked their quarter-final spot in the championship proper. This decider was one which was dominated by a superb first half display from Muskerry which ultimately proved key. They led by eight points at the break and had to withhold sustained Duhallow pressure after the short whistle. There was just one point in it at the end, but the beaten team did net a consolation goal right at the death.

Muskerry advance to the quarter-final stage for the first time since 2014 and in the process knocking the holders of this section off their perch. The Mid-Cork outfit had many outstanding performers, from captain Eoghan Lehane and William Ronan in defence to the likes of Cork star Chris Óg Jones up front supplemented by the likes of Aaron O’Sullivan, Ian Jones (younger brother of Chris Óg Jones) and Liam Twohig.

Duhallow kicked the first point through Luke Murphy, but once Muskerry settled they played a lovely brand of football. They hit 1-1 in the space of 50 seconds. Liam O’Connor pointed a free from a difficult angle before Chris Óg Jones billowed the back of the net after a beauty of a pass by Eolan O’Leary, 1-1 to 0-1 after three minutes.

The sides traded points before Muskerry got their second goal after 12 minutes when Twohig slotted home. Muskerry would tack on four unanswered white flags to lead 2-6 to 0-2 after 16 minutes. Darragh Cashman bisected the posts for Duhallow but it looked a long way back for them when Muskerry netted a third goal with four minutes to break. Ian Jones palmed home to the net following an assist from his big brother Chris.

Duhallow did hit five of the remaining six points of the half, with Luke Murphy impressing with the Duhallow forward landing a pair of brilliant points, 3-7 to 0-8 at half-time.

The sides swapped early points on the resumption before Duhallow gave themselves a chance when they goaled after 35 minutes. That man Luke Murphy with an easy finish. That was quickly followed by a Cashman point, 3-8 to 1-10.

A Gerry O’Sullivan point left just three points in it. A Twohig free was a timely point for Muskerry. That did settle the eventual winners. They weathered the storm, kicking two of the next three points, 3-11 to 1-12 after 54 minutes.

Points from Cashman and sub Ciarán Curtin cut the deficit down to a goal as we entered five minutes of added time. The teams swapped white flags before Chris Óg Jones landed a point which proved to be the insurance score for the 1970 Cork SFC winners. Kevin Cremin did score a goal following a goalmouth scramble for Duhallow, but the final whistle sounded seconds later.

Muskerry move onto the quarter-final stage for the first time since 2014.

Scorers for Muskerry: C Óg Jones 1-4, L Twohig 1-2 (0-2 f), I Jones 1-1, L O’Connor 0-3 (0-2 f), A O’Sullivan, J O’Mullane, J Kelleher 0-1 each.

Duhallow: L Murphy 1-4, K Cremin 1-0, D Cashman 0-3, Donncha O’Connor (f), G O’Sullivan 0-2 each, C Curtin, J Curtin, S Hickey, C Walsh 0-1 each.

MUSKERRY: J Creedon (Iveleary); W Ronan (Kilmurry), E Lehane (Canovee, capt), D O’Donovan (Iveleary); K Manning (Iveleary), M Corrigan (Macroom), S O’Riordan (Iveleary); C Donovan (Macroom), L Wall (Kilmurry); A O’Sullivan (Aghabullogue), C Óg Jones (Iveleary), E O’Leary (Macroom); L O’Connor (Inniscarra), I Jones (Iveleary), L Twohig (Aghinagh).

Subs: P Ring (Aghabullogue) for C Donovan (inj), C Gillespie (Aghabullogue) for D O’Donovan (both 39), J O’Mullane (Kilmurry) for E O’Leary (45), J Kelleher (Canovee) for L Twohig (46, inj), J O’Donoghue (Naomh Abán) for L O’Connor (63).

DUHALLOW: C Casey (Rockchapel); J Murphy (Dromtarriffe), D Buckley (Boherbue), Shane Hickey (Milstreet); J Curtin (Rockchapel), K Cremin (Boherbue, j-capt), D Cashman (Milstreet); Seamus Hickey (Rockchapel), L Moynihan (Boherbue); B O’Keeffe (Dromtarriffe), Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond, j-capt), M McAuliffe (Rockchapel); L Murphy (Cullen), David O’Connor (Boherbue), G O’Sullivan (Boherbue).

Subs: C Walsh (Cullen) for L Moynihan (18), C Murphy (Castlemagner) for J Murphy (h-t), C Curtin (Rockchapel) for M McAuliffe (39), C O’Sullivan (Castlemagner) for David O’Connor (45), D Linehan (Castlemagner) for J Curtin (50).

Referee: Cormac Dineen (Douglas).