Cork GAA Club Football Team of the Week
Clonakilty's Darragh Gough scored 1-5. Picture Denis Boyle
It’s a wrap on another round of group stage action – and that means it’s time for the team of the week again, after a weekend where the knockout stages of the PSFC, SAFC and PIFC were decided.
Many excellent individual performances across the weekend once again saw several players narrowly miss out, including Bandon’s Darren Crowley, Aghabullogue’s Paul Dilworth and Knocknagree’s Eoghan McSweeney.
So here it is – the best 15 across the top three grades plus eight substitutes.
A couple of points is always a good return from between the posts, but for the Cork sub goalkeeper, he also kept a clean sheet as his side defeated Bishopstown to advance straight to the semi-final.
In what was a bizarre finish to their victory over Bandon in the PIFC, Nemo Rangers’ Mark Hill got himself forward and was there to net the fourth goal. He played well throughout in defence.
It’s unusual you’d see a corner-back make the team almost solely based on his contributions up front – but Frank Down was immense for Ballincollig. He scored a point, hit the crossbar and set up two goals in a superb win over Éire Óg.
Dohenys’ best back in an important win over Skibb, Eoin Lavers rose to the occasion in a fixture that they needed to win.
Making some superb runs from deep Luke Fahy impressed for the Village in the half-back line, and even notched a score in their seven point win over neighbouring rivals Éire Óg.
One of the best players this weekend – Rory Maguire hit Carbery Rangers for four points from centre-back, all from play. His outstanding display was key to ensure they advanced straight to the semi-finals.
Playing a part in the second Clonakiilty goal – a strong defensive showing at half back from David Lowney ensured a big win over St Michael’s as Clon march on to the quarter-final.
The star of the show for Carrigaline – Brian O’Driscoll was everywhere. Contributing well defensively and on the counter, the Cork senior hit six points with three from play as they defeated Cill na Martra.
At 44 years old, Pearse O’Neill still has it – and he showed that for Aghada in their relegation-avoiding win over Ilen Rovers. The stalwart kicked a point and ran the show in midfield.
In a game where every score counted – Cahalane’s tally of three against Carbery helped the reigning Premier Senior champions to a five-point victory.
Though operating in midfield for the west Cork club, Shanley was impressive in attack he takes the centre-forward spot. His movement off the ball and a tally of 1-2 on a day where the entire team impressed stood out.
Carrigaline did everything they could to stop him – and yet, Daniel Ó Duinnín still kicked five from play as Cill na Martra narrowly lost out. If he wasn’t the creator, he still got his hands on the ball somewhere whenever the Gaeltacht side did something right.
One of Clon’s best players in the victory over Michael’s, Gough kicked a total of 1-5 and his movement to free up space in corner-forward was integral to their win.
Another star of the weekend in Aaron Berry – the Aghada man netted a hat-trick from corner-forward and got a point to go with it when they needed a victory over Ilen.
As he does almost every game, every year – Steven Sherlock was outstanding for St Finbarr’s. Scoring 2-2 from play in a much needed win over Valley Rovers, his performance was another gentle reminder to the Cork management team regarding his place in the starting 15.
Eanna O’Hanlon (Kilshannig) 1-3
Fionn Herlihy (Dohenys) 1-2
Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers)
Grantas Bucinskas (Kanturk) 1-2
Mark Buckley (Dohenys) 0-4
Daniel Ó Ceallaigh (Naomh Abán) 1-3
Conor Daly (Clonakilty) 0-7 (0-3 f)
Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers) 0-5 (0-1 f)
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