RedFM Hurling League wrap: Conor Lehane to the fore as Midleton make it two from two

Division 1 reports:

• Blackrock hold off Carrigaline in cracking hurling league clash
• William Buckley rescues a point for Barrs as Charleville rue missed chances
• Fr O'Neill's edge out Glen Rovers with bench press key in second half
• Carrigtwohill score first league victory with one-point win over Kanturk
• Sarsfields up and running with win over Douglas

Conor Lehane scored 11 points as Midleton made the most of the presence of county stars to enjoy a 13-point win away to Ballincollig in Division of the RedFM Hurling League.

The Magpies’ 2-24 to 1-14 win leaves them as just one of two teams with four points from two games. Seven of Lehane’s points were from play with Tommy O’Connell also influential while Cormac Beausang, who finished with 1-2, and Pa White raised their green flags. David Cremin came off the bench to clip 0-3 and Luke O'Farrell had 0-2.

Ballincollig, led by the outstanding James Dwyer at centre-back, battled well for long spells and were back to within two points, 1-14 to 1-12, after points by Pete Kelly, Adam Wills and Sean O'Neill were followed up by a brilliant Cian O'Driscoll goal.

However, Brion Saunderson made a couple of fine stops in the closing 20 minutes and Ballincollig struggled to break down a solid rearguard anchored by Ross O'Regan, Mikey Finn and Luke Dineen. Stephen Wills was Ballincollig's top-scorer with 0-5, 0-3 from frees.

A minute's silence was observed before the game after a difficult few weeks for Midleton and the untimely loss of beloved club men, Ger Fitzgerald and Darragh McCarthy.

Killeagh also made it two wins from two, with Richie Long scoring seven points and David Buckley 1-1 as they beat Fermoy by 1-16 to 0-10. David Lardner and Darragh Daly were best for Fermoy.

Jamie Coughlan had 1-4 with Conor Griffin scoring 1-3 as Newtownshandrum got the better of Valley Rovers in an entertaining contest that finished 2-22 to 2-18 in Brinny. Robert Troy landed four points for the winners, with Cormac Desmond and Harry O’Sullivan getting the home side’s goals.

On Saturday, John McCarthy scored 1-11 as Ballymartle recorded a 3-20 to 0-18 triumph away to Na Piarsaigh. Cillian Lordan scored 2-2 for the south-east side while Pádraig Guest (seven points) and Kevin Moynihan (four) were Piarsaigh’s chief score-getters.

Erin’s Own had important contributions from Matt O’Riordan, Conor Lenihan and Ronan Blackton as they beat Éire Óg by 0-16 to 0-15, with ten of the Ovens side’s points scored by Eoin O’Shea.

REDFM HURLING LEAGUE RESULTS

Thursday, March 20

Division 1: Blackrock 1-20 Carrigaline 1-17.

Friday, March 21

Division 1: St Finbarr’s 1-15 Charleville 0-18.

Saturday, March 22

Division 2: Na Piarsaigh 0-18 Ballymartle 3-20, Éire Óg 0-15 Erin’s Own 0-16.

Division 3: Blackrock 0-16 Blarney 0-18.

Division 5: Midleton 2-10 Ballyhea 1-16.

Division 6: Kinsale 0-7 Sarsfields 3-15, Cloyne 2-19 Argideen Rangers 0-11, Na Piarsaigh 1-8 Aghada 2-15.

Division 7: Ballinora 2-14 Killeagh 3-13, Nemo Rangers 2-16 Douglas 1-10, Passage 1-9 St Finbarr’s 0-14.

Sunday, March 23

Division 1: Carrigtwohill 0-20 Kanturk 2-13, Douglas 2-16 Sarsfields 1-26, Fr O’Neills 1-17 Glen Rovers 2-11.

Division 2: Killeagh 1-16 Fermoy 0-10, Valley Rovers 2-18 Newtownshandrum 2-22, Ballincollig 1-14 Midleton 2-24.

Division 3: Bride Rovers 0-18 Castlelyons 0-9, Courcey Rovers 4-16 Ballinhassig 0-20, Lisgoold 1-9 Newcestown 3-19, Mallow 0-14 Russell Rovers 1-19.

Division 4: Bandon 1-14 Inniscarra 0-16, Cloughduv 1-17 Bishopstown 1-18, Watergrasshill 0-18 Tracton 0-10, Youghal 2-13 Kildorrery 0-11.

Division 5: Castlemartyr 3-20 Ballygarvan 0-11, Dungourney 1-12 Aghabullogue 0-17, Erin’s Own 0-12 Milford 2-16.

Division 6: Barryroe 1-11 Ballinascarthy 0-14.

Division 7: Killavullen 2-20 Kilshannig 0-16, Meelin 0-9 Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas 1-15.