The Echo Sport Podcast: Hurling glory for Sars, Ballinhassig and Kilbrittain
The Echo Sport Podcast is available every week on all the major platforms. Picture: Chani Anderson
Three trophies were handed out on Leeside over the weekend while torrential rain forced the postponement of the Intermediate A and Senior A deciders.
Kilbrittain got the sliotar rolling with a gritty win over Glen Rovers, whose second team represented the club superbly in the Premier Junior decider.
Just a point separated the sides at full-time, with Kilbrittain lifting the cup on the same day Oisín Gillain would have turned 19. The gifted youngster died tragically and his team-mates honoured him in fitting fashion under Friday night lights.
Mark Hickey was picked as Man of the Match with Ronan Crowley and Philip Wall also nailing big scores.
Saturday's double-header was put back at short notice due to the orange weather warning but Sunday's two games went ahead.
Ballinhassig were outstanding in the Premier Intermediate final against a Ballincollig team that came in with huge momentum after winning four games on the bounce. Hassig took over midway through the second half when the sides were level at 0-16 apiece, ramming in two goals and finishing six points in front, the same margin they defeated Collig by in the opening round.
Patrick Collins' nous in goal, Ger Collins' deadly free-taking, the poise of Darragh O'Sullivan and impact of second-half sub Evan Cullinane were critical factors. Ballincollig were never allowed hit full stride, though Brian Keating landed some sensational points from play.
Senior Munster champions Sars lived up to their billing as favourites against Midleton in what was a disappointing Premier Senior final. The loss of Conor Lehane and Eoin Moloney to injury was too much for the Magpies to bear, with James Sweeney raising two white flags and Jack O'Connor selected as Man of the Match.
Incredibly, Sars veterans Craig Leahy, Daniel and William Kearney and Conor O'Sullivan captured the Seán Óg Murphy Cup for the sixth time since their breakthrough in 2008. The aim now for Johnny Crowley and Diarmuid O'Sullivan's charges is to return to the All-Ireland stage in January, having lost last season's final.
The Echo Podcast crew also break down the action at divisional level, with a number of Junior A finals across the weekend.
They preview the county finals next weekend, a mix of hurling and football, headlined by a classic St Finbarr's v Nemo Rangers showdown on Sunday.
Now in its third season, every week Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, Jack McKay, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field.
You can listen to the Echo Sport Podcast every week wherever you get your podcasts or on www.echolive.ie/podcast.
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