IAHC reports, roundup and knockout draws

IAHC reports:

• Michael Cahalane in clinical form as Bandon top group and condemn Mayfield to relegation decider 

• Aghada knock out Ballygiblin and move straight to semi-finals

•End of the road for Russell Rovers despite thrilling win over Midleton

Along with Aghada, Sarsfields took the direct route to the semi-finals of the Co-op SuperStores IAHC, securing a third Group 2 win with victory over Aghabullogue in Ballymaw on Saturday.

Both sides were already guaranteed progression after wins over Blackrock and Youghal and the game was to determine which of them would finish top of the group. In the event, a 3-13 to 2-13 triumph meant that the Riverstown club were the only side in the fourth tier to mine a maximum of six points from their three round-robin games, but they had to work for victory.

Points from Matthew Bradley helped the Coachford side to lead by 0-8 to 1-4 at half-time, Luke Hackett with the goal for Sars.

While Hackett struck for another green flag early in the second half, Bradley replied by hitting the net twice for Aghabullogue. It was to be Sars’ evening though, thanks in part to a goal from corner-back Kieran Walsh.

Sars will now have a four-week break until the last-four while Aghabullogue – champions in the IAHC two years ago only to be the unfortunate side relegated from the Premier IHC in 2024 after six clubs finished on two points each – face into a quarter-final tie with Midleton.

The other game in Group 2 amounted to a relegation semi-final between Blackrock and Youghal and, while the east Cork side battled back from nine points down to secure a draw, it was not enough to avoid having to play off against Mayfield.

Tom Grainger, Ian O’Keeffe and Dean McCarthy had Blackrock’s goals as they finished with 3-16 but Brett Moloney (two), Bill Cooper and Oisín Walsh all netted as Youghal had a tally of 4-13.

In Group 3, Erin’s Own got the better of Kildorrery in Dungourney by 2-12 to 0-5, enough to take second place behind Aghada. Kieran Murphy scored 1-7 for the Caherlag outfit, with Andrew O’Sullivan accounting for 1-3.

IAHC – quarter-finals: Bandon v Erin’s Own, Aghabullogue v Midleton; Semi-finals: Sarsfields v Bandon/Erin’s Own, Aghada v Aghabullogue/Midleton.

Relegation play-off: Mayfield v Youghal.