Hurling team of the week: Damien Cahalane commands and Conor Cahill delivers
Conor Cahill scored 0-5 from play for Cloyne in their PIHC win over Valley Rovers. Picture: Larry Cummins
Quarter-finals largely ticked off, most of the relegation battles settled. Time again for the 15 standouts – plus nine on the bench – from a weekend that spanned Premier Senior, Senior A and Premier Intermediate.
Courceys have alternated between two keepers this year with Stephen Nyhan absent, but Moore has held the jersey since the Blarney rout. On Sunday, in a relegation playoff with Bishopstown that had the weight of the season on it, he produced when it mattered – a superb late save to keep them afloat.
It’s been a hard season for Na Piarsaigh, but Murphy provided one bright spark. Given the unenviable task of marking Cork senior Mark Coleman, he held him scoreless from play. A job done with quiet effectiveness.
Outstanding. Named at wing-back, deployed in the corner, but wherever he was stationed he lorded the air. Jack Leahy didn’t register from play, and Cahalane even clipped a point himself. As commanding a defensive performance as you’ll see.
Charleville’s season ended against Sarsfields, but not without a fight. Butler epitomised their defiance – aggressive, uncompromising, and consistently first to the break. A strong campaign capped by another battling display.
Rock solid at centre-back in the win over Imokilly. His reading of the game choked off space and chances, particularly with the breeze at Imokilly’s back. A pivotal figure in a mean Barrs defence.
Led from the middle in Ballincollig’s dismantling of Carrigaline. Three points from play – one of them a beauty – to go with his defensive graft. Immense.
Two in a row for Moloney in this team. Marked Horgan in the first half, stepped further out in the second, and played a huge role in Midleton’s comeback win.
Listed at 15 but straight into midfield. His fingerprints were all over the Barrs’ win – relentless work-rate, constant involvement. He teed up Brian Hayes for the first goal and dispatched the third himself to seal it.
Got through a mountain of work in the Glen game. Particularly influential in the second-half surge, and added a key score to underline his impact.
Ran himself to a standstill. Tireless off the ball, incisive on it, repeatedly cutting through Imokilly lines. His assist for Wigginton-Barrett’s goal killed the contest.
John Cottrell’s injury on Saturday put an end to Cloyne v Valley Rovers, and the refixture for Sunday meant he had to watch from the sideline as Imokilly fell to the Barrs. But an outstanding return of 0-5 from play at wing-forward on Sunday night to fire Cloyne into the semis, earns him our no 11 jersey.
Now on 1-8 from two starts and two cameos. Newtown are still chasing a first win, but O’Neill’s 1-4 ensured they live to fight another day with Erin’s Own in a replay.
A livewire performance. Took his goal with conviction, added four from play, and powered Blarney into the Senior A last four. His sharpest showing of the year.
Not the ending Hoggy or the Glen wanted, but he still produced. Hit 1-3 from play to bring his season tally to 5-39. Proof, again, of his enduring class.
Missed out narrowly last week, not this time. His 1-4 haul in the first half laid the platform for Erin’s Own, and his scoring touch will be vital in their replayed relegation fight with Newtown.
Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr) 0-1
Paudie O’Sullivan (Cloyne)
Killian Murphy (Sarsfields) 0-2
Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr’s)
Brian Keating (Ballincollig) 1-11 (0-9 f)
Shane Mulcahy (Blarney) 0-3
Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields) 0-5
Eoin Crowley (Valley Rovers) 0-6
David Barry (Bride Rovers) 0-3
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