Cork Hurling: Team of the Week as groups take shape after round two
Conor O'Sullivan and Bryan Murphy, Sarsfields, seen here defending against Matt O'Riordan, Erin's Own, both made the team. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Club championship season is in full swing, and round two of the Cork club hurling championships has come and gone. It’s Wednesday, and so it’s time for the second team of the week.
As always, so many tough choices. The initial shortlist had 10 midfielders. Trying to cut that down wasn’t easy. Neither was leaving out Inniscarra’s Pádraig Holland who scored 2-2, so he gets an honourable mention.
Here it is.
Use of the ball particularly impressive, and reliability on restarts unchanged. You know what you’re going to get from Connolly whenever the Rockies are in action. One of the best ‘keepers in Cork and he proved that again in their win over the Barrs.
Sarsfields’ corner-backs are making a habit of getting a couple of scores a game, though usually it’s Cathal McCarthy you’d associate with that given his playstyle. But O’Sullivan was the standout against Erin’s Own, excellent in and out of possession.
Charleville have conceded the fewest of any of the 12 teams, even Sars. They can thank Jack Meade for that record remaining intact after their win against Newtown, following another superb showing.
Named midfield, but played like he was tied to Conor Lehane. Kept the Midleton talisman scoreless from play. One of the best performers across the weekend.
Another hero in a game where an east Cork side shockingly dropped points, de Róiste was phenomenal for Fermoy and chipped in with a point from play as they outworked Killeagh.
Every ball that Midleton launched in on top of Meade was swept up and tossed in the bin. A faultless performance, and two stunning points from play. His performance was worth the admission fee alone.
Another Sars star, Murphy was excellent at half back. Not just for being another defender to chip in with two points, but his sheer physicality made sure he was a wall Erin’s Own could not break through.
What a way to perform on your second championship start. Two booming frees, two more from play, and the beating heart of that Carrigtwohill win over Na Piarsaigh. Top class.
Four shots, four scores. A number of assists, too. Mullins was everywhere, leading that Glen side like a player 10 years his senior. Hard to believe it was only his second PSHC game for the northsiders.
Outstanding performance from placed balls, but it was his composure, heart, and drive in the final five minutes. O’Sullivan got out and pushed Newcestown to the draw after it looked like they’d run out of petrol.
Lined out wing-forward, and stood out most from an exceptional Sars performance. 12 of their 15 could have easily made the cut – but O’Connor was the best of all. Scored 1-8 and made it look oh so easy.
Another standout in Carrig’s win, the usual name chipping in with six from play. Walsh is almost always their leading scorer, and while his younger brother beat him to this spot in the first week, Seán takes it here.
First season playing senior for the Cork U20, and he’s not merely starting for Imokilly and Dungourney - he’s excelling with both. Scored 2-0 against Valleys to take his haul to 3-1, making him PIHC top scorer from play. Landed 0-2 from midfield with the division against Avondhu, too.
What more need we say? 4-4 From play and the player of the week, without doubt. Few have given as much to this Castlelyons team over the years as Anthony has. A remarkably talented hurler.
The goal-getter for the Rockies on a night where they could not be stopped. A top performance, O’Halloran undoubtedly deserving of a spot.
Paudie O’Sullivan (Cloyne)
Aaron Walsh-Barry (Carrigtwohill)
Kevin Kavanagh (Carrigaline) 0-1
Jack Callaghan (Charleville) 0-1
Daniel O’Donovan (Courcey Rovers) 2-2
Cillian O’Sullivan (Bride Rovers) 0-5
Niall Cashman (Blackrock) 0-4
Liam O’Shea (Lisgoold) 1-8 (1-0 pen, 0-4 f)
Cathal McCarthy (Blarney) 2-3
App?
