Killeagh relegated from Division 1 SHL as Carrigtwohill earn crucial win 

Carrigtwohill 3-26 

Killeagh 2-15 

Killeagh’s short-lived spell in the Red FM Division 1 Hurling League is over following a 14-point defeat away to Carrigtwohill on Sunday.

The east Cork outfit have struggled for form throughout the league campaign, and twelve months on from promotion to the topflight, they’ll once again find themselves in Division 2 next year.

For Carrigtwohill, their safety is now confirmed, and Denis Walsh’s side can look towards August with a lot more optimism.

The first half of this local clash was breathtaking to say the least, and credit to both sides for going blow for blow.

The scores were spread out across the forward line for Carrigtwohill in the opening exchanges, with six different names contributing to the cause.

Patrick Walsh raised the first white flag of this contest a minute in, before Justin Oke, Matthew Barrett, Daniel Nolan, and Division 1’s top scorer, Seán Walsh, all added further scores over the next ten minutes, with Patrick Walsh adding another. Liam O’Sullivan raised the first green flag in the 12h minute with a lovely close-range finish into the back of the net.

Killeagh, to their credit, battled hard, but couldn’t match their opponent’s speed and tenacity. 

Full forward Ryan McCarthy did his very best, grabbing his side’s first score in the ninth minute, before adding three more in the next seven minutes, but the gap was quickly widening.

The points kept flying over and by the 22nd minute, Carrigtwohill had added five more scores, thanks to Seán Walsh, Barrett, Patrick Walsh, and Oke. 

Killeagh themselves rattled over a few, leaving the score at 1-11 to 0-7 in favour of the hosts.

Seán Walsh, Nolan and Barrett combined to add five more scores to finish out the half, with Walsh grabbing a lovely goal in the 25th minute, while McCarthy managed two for Killeagh, plus a brilliant goal from Thomas Hogan in added time, with the half-time score 2-17 to 1-09 to Carrigtwohill.

Carrigtwohil took a firm grip on the clash in the second half, limiting Killeagh to seven scores, five of which came from McCarthy, while Ogbebor and David Buckley also converted efforts.

Top scorer Seán Walsh was on fire, with six scored in the second period, four of which came between the 35th and 48th minutes, while Barrett continued his fine game with another point.

Barrett and Seán Walsh were at it again in the final ten minutes, each contributing with a combined five scores, either side of an effort from Patrick Walsh. 

The final green flag of the game was thanks to Carrigtwohill substitute Sean Rohan, riffling the sliotar into the back of the Killeagh net with four minutes left. 

Killeagh had raised the green flag in the 43rd minute through McCarthy, but it proved to be futile.

Congratulations to Carrigtwohill on a decisive victory. 3-26 to 2-15 was the final result following a cracking morning for hurling.

Carrigtwohill scorers: S Walsh 1-12 (4f), M Barrett 0-6 (2f), P Walsh 0-4, L O'Sullivan, S Rohan 1-0 each, D Nolan, J Oke 0-2 each.

Killeagh: R McCarthy 1-10 (3f 3 45), D Buckley 1-2, S Smiddy, P O’Brien, S Ogbebor 0-1 each.

CARRIGTWOHILL: S Devlin; P Sullivan, A Walsh Barry, D Joseph; S Brennan, S de Burca, B Twomey; J Horgan, J Oke; D Nolan, M Barrett, P Walsh; T Hogan, L O’Sullivan, S Walsh.

Subs: C O’Riordan for D Joseph (28 inj), S Rohan for T Hogan (49), A Rooney for D Nolan (58).

KILLEAGH: P O’Neill; K Budds, J Fogarty, S Long; C Fitzgibbon, B Walsh, G Leahy; G Walsh Wallace, J Ogbebor; A Leahy, P O’Brien, S Smiddy; D Buckley, R McCarthy, R Long.

Subs: R Treacy for George Walsh Wallace (h-t), P Leahy for R Long (40).

Referee: Canice Walsh (Nemo Rangers).