Division 1 HL: Ben Cunningham guides St Finbarr's past Killeagh

Killeagh: 0-17 

St Finbarr’s: 2-17 

St Finbarr’s are joint-second in the RedFM Division 1 Hurling League after recording another impressive win, seeing off hosts Killeagh on Sunday.

The city side now have eight points from five games, level with neighbours Douglas.

Paudie Murray’s team were slick and composed throughout, leading pretty much from pillar to post. Cork panellist Ben Cunningham top scored with 1-6, but they had strong performers all over the pitch, including centre-back Ciarán Doolan and the industrious James Murray in midfield.

Killeagh remain in the drop zone on two points after five outings, but they can take plenty of encouragement from this display. They never wilted at any stage, even when the game threatened to slip away from them in a big way.

They were driven on by their outstanding midfielder Evan Lane, who was majestic and finished with 0-5.

Heavy showers and slippery underfoot conditions added an extra layer of difficulty to proceedings.

Killeagh made a positive start, leading 0-3 to 0-1 after five minutes, with Eoghan Keniry sharp in the early exchanges.

However, St Finbarr’s responded with eight unanswered points — a burst that ultimately proved decisive. Ben Cunningham struck three excellent scores, while John Wigginton-Barrett also hit three, pushing the Barrs 0-9 to 0-3 ahead after 20 minutes.

Lane and Dylan McCarthy kept Killeagh in touch, but the Barrs finished the half strongly, landing two of the last three points. Cork U20 footballer Rickey Barrett got on the scoresheet, leaving it 0-11 to 0-6 at the break.

Killeagh began the second half brightly, taking two of the first three points, but two goals in two minutes effectively settled the contest. Rickey Barrett and Ben Cunningham both finished superbly to the net, with Ciarán Leahy pointing for Killeagh in between those green flags, making it 2-12 to 0-9 after 40 minutes.

St Finbarr’s remained in control, stretching their lead to 2-15 to 0-12 with ten minutes left, before the home side rallied. They hit five of the next six points, Lane contributing three, to close the gap to 2-16 to 0-17 as the game entered added time.

Killeagh pushed hard for a goal, but it never materialised, thanks in part to excellent St Finbarr's defending from corner-back Seán Daly and full-back Cian Walsh.

James Murray sealed the victory for the Togher men with a late point, ensuring they ran out winners by six points.

Scorers for Killeagh: E Lane 0-5, D McCarthy 0-4 (0-1 f), E Keniry 0-2, R Sinclair, G Wallace-Walsh, C Leahy, D Buckley, D Walsh, A Leahy 0-1 each.

St Finbarr’s: B Cunningham 1-6 (0-2 f), R Barrett 1-1, J Cahalane, J Wigginton-Barrett 0-3 each, J Murray, C McCarthy 0-2 each.

KILLEAGH: F Murphy; K Kelly-Budds, J Fogarty, C Fitzgibbon; R Sinclair, B Delaney, G Wallace-Walsh; E Lane, C Leahy; D McCarthy, E Keniry, J Ogbebor; D Buckley, R McCarthy, D Motherway.

Subs: F Brennan for D Motherway (25), D Walsh for D Buckley (h-t), C O’Riordan for B Delaney (35), A Leahy for E Keniry (48), S Walsh for C Fitzgibbon (50), E Keniry for R McCarthy (54).

ST FINBARR’S: S Hurley; S Daly, C Walsh, S Kennedy; C Crowley, C Doolan, E Keane; J Murray, B O’Connell; J Wigginton-Barrett, B Cunningham, C McCarthy; S Cunningham, J Cahalane, R Barrett.

Subs: D Murray for B O’Connell (43), J Kennefick for S Kennedy, A Buckley for R Barrett (both 56).

Referee: Cathal McAllister (Aghada).