The Echo Sport Podcast: No lead is safe in Cork hurling and football finals
Denis Hurley in The Echo Podcast Studio. Picture: Chani Anderson
The clocks have gone back and the countdown to Christmas has begun but the big games keep coming on the Cork club scene.
The Echo Podcast crew reflect in this week's episode on the Premier Intermediate and Intermediate A Football finals and the Senior A Hurling decider, along with the divisional and U21 action.
All the marquee matches ended in a welter of excitement, with Ballinora grabbing a draw against Ilen Rovers when Neil Lordan held his nerve to bomb over a two-point free. While Ballinora were hugely relieved to force a replay, they had some standout performers, including former All-Ireland winning Cork U20 hurler Shane Kingson who was named as Man of the Match after kicking 0-4 from defence.
Ilen, led by Dermot Hegarty at midfield, raised two green flags and appeared to be heading to glory coming down the stretch in their first adult county since 2008. Instead they'll meet again in two weeks.
Agabullogue and Uibh Laoire looked to be heading to a rematch as well in the PIFC final until Matthew Bradley landed the late winner. The Mid Cork side atoned for their loss last season and have a busy few weeks ahead with a Munster campaign and the delayed Intermediate A Hurling clash with Bandon. They're now favourites for a second double in three seasons.
After a dour draw, Bride Rovers and Castlelyons served up a classic in the Senior A Hurling final, only decided in additional time when David Barry's point capped off a run of 1-3 without replay for Bride. There was no shortage of excellent individual displays and a fascinating duel between Cork hurlers Brian Roche and Niall O'Leary.
At divisional level, Donoughmore lifted the Mid Cork crown for the first time since 2011 after a late burst of 2-2 to deny Aghinagh, young gun Seán O'Hanlon grabbing both goals.
There was county action at U21 and Junior A, with Douglas' U21 footballers beating Ballincollig and Ibane Gaels surviving a penalty shootout to defeat Kinsale. Nemo's third team and Kilmacbea are into the JAFC semis alongside Donoughmore, while the hurlers of Cobh, Newmarket and Kilshanning are also through to the last four.
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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