Hurling Team of the Week after group stages conclude
Dylan McCarthy starred for Killeagh getting a total of 1-9. Picture: Larry Cummins.
The group stages have come and gone and the knockout fixtures are set, and so it’s time for the hurling team of the week once again.
It was another hugely competitive weekend with so many worthy individual displays, but not everyone can make the cut.
Premier Intermediate duo Steven Williamson (Carrigaline) and Joe Cooper (Éire Óg) missed out, while Courcey Rovers’ Richard Sweetnam scored 0-14 and also deserves a mention. While Blackrock duo Alan Connolly and Fionn Coleman also narrowly missed the cut.
So here it is – the best 15 across the PSHC, SAHC and PIHC.
It’s been an incredible season for the Cork and Ballinhassig goalkeeper so far, and he’s returned from intercounty duty and shown exactly why he’s Cork’s number one. Three incredible saves and points from a free and a puckout, you can’t ask for more.
Though Erin’s Own suffered defeat and their campaign concldued, Cian O’Connor was excellent at corner back. With a couple of impressive blocks and a good performance marking Cormac Beausang, O’Connor was one of their best players against Midleton.
Killeagh’s experienced stalwart stood up to the test against Inniscarra, and in a game where they needed every score they could get – O’Brien played his part in improving their scoring difference at the back to see the east Cork side through.
An impressive performance against Douglas where Mattie Ryan scored a point and defended well throughout, he’s the first of two Newtownshandrum players to get in the team.
Unfortunately for Guinane Valleys are out – but had he not been so impressive they could have ended up in a relegation playoff. He scored 1-2 from wing back and was outstanding against Watergrasshill.
The Cork senior has been Newtown’s best player for some time, and showed that again against Douglas – scoring two from play and commanding the back six.
While he only got one free against Na Piarsaigh, Coleman ran the show for Blarney, and had so many possessions from start to finish. No doubt a key performer on the day.
Castlelyons’ Alan Fenton was their best player against Cloyne, scoring seven from play as they secured their place in the Senior A HC quarter-finals.
Ballincollig’s best player in their victory over Aghabullogue, Dwyer scored two from midfield and helped his team straight through to the semi-final after a good display.
As they ended their season with a convincing win, Jack Cahalane starred, scoring five points from play against Newcestown.
Another week goes by and once again Lehane shows why he’s still Midleton’s most important player, scoring each of the 14 shots registered – once again letting the stats do the talking.
When Killeagh needed a huge victory up stepped Ryan McCarthy, showing his quality as he continues to improve each season, this time with 1-5 against Inniscarra.
Withdrawn with an injury despite a quarter of an hour left to play, Ryan’s brother Dylan remained Killeagh’s top scorer, getting 1-9 in total, with 1-2 from play as he continues to impress for the east Cork side.
It needs no introduction – but a hat-trick in a must win game against a local rival is always going to be enough. Alan Walsh was immense for Kanturk, and the player of the week for good reason.
Another key player in the Glen’s big win over Ballyhea, Simon Kennefick notched 2-4 from play as they progressed straight to the semi-finals and reaffirmed their position as title favourites.
Luke Elliot (Sarsfields) 0-3
Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons) 0-4
Mikey Finn (Midleton) 0-3
Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr’s) 1-1
Maurice O’Carroll (Erin’s Own) 1-2 off bench
Tim Hawe (Charleville) 2-2
Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neill’s) 1-10 (0-4 f, 0-1 65)
William Buckley (St Finbarr’s) 2-1
App?
