Cork Hurling Team of the Week: Charleville get four after Sarsfields takedown
Alan Connolly, Blackrock, battles with Luke Horgan, Glen Rovers during their PSHC clash last weekend. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Draws, upsets and a champion dethroned, the Cork club hurling championships did not disappoint last weekend. And so it’s that time once again, to pick out the top performers across the opening week and give you The Echo’s Cork Hurling Team of the Week.
Courcey Rovers’ hero at the death, snatching a draw against newcomers Ballinhassig with an incredible point from distance. A clean sheet and two frees to go with it, and a most welcome result given the scare of last season.
An outstanding and dogged display from the experienced Charleville defender against a really strong Sarsfields attack. He even landed a point in their massive victory over the reigning champions.
Top-class in a very strong performance from the Rockies’ defence. Not only did Blackrock play the majority of the contest down a man, but he stepped up late on to deny Patrick Horgan the goal that would have put the Glen in command.
Not quite a corner-back – though he’s not the only sweeper to feature here – but Mike Kelly was the metronome on a day where everyone in Castlemartyr’s red and white turned up. His scoring haul was impressive too, but the sheer number of possessions he gobbled up – and the chances his side created from them – was exceptional.
Outstanding at centre-back in Newtown’s draw with Douglas, and ventured further forward late on, where the Cork senior was even more influential.
Always the most impactful defender for Midleton and brought the same again last Friday with another composed display. Will be absolutely essential to their title hopes once again this season.
Clipped 0-2 from distance, but was outstanding as Rovers’ sweeper. His interventions were vital in keeping the Rathcormac/Bartlemy men in command in the first half, and Newcestown couldn’t get a sniff in the second.
Carried his fantastic form from the league campaign straight into the first round of championship, striking a very impressive 0-6 from play against St Finbarr’s, as the Magpies got off to the perfect start.
One of many outstanding performers for Aghabullogue as they brought down Éire Óg, and after scoring 0-6 for Cill na Martra in their SAFC win the week before, he turned up with a huge performance again last weekend.
The ever-reliable Fitzgibbon brought the heat for Charleville against Sars. A solid haul – as usual from the Cork senior – but he was part of everything they did right.
The star of the show for Douglas, their Cork senior delivered with a fantastic display against Newtownshandrum. When Douglas needed him, he popped up with crucial scores to keep his side in touch.
2-6 from play is an outrageous haul at any level. Tarrant was the best of a brilliant bunch for Aghabullogue at the weekend.
Two well-taken goals that were pivotal in sealing Castlemartyr’s win, and nailed the added-time insurance score with a beauty from a tight angle. But, outside of his scoring, tracked back on a number of occasions to bring tackles and force turnovers. A complete display.
A timely reminder of his class, and a staggering haul right when Blackrock needed it. He scored 1-4 from play, but it was the two points in added time that got them over the line which proved most crucial.
Fired over the equalising free to grab the draw, and a brilliant display throughout, finishing with 1-3 from play after driving home an early goal.
Jack Meade (Charleville)
Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra) 0-2
Darragh Leahy (Castlemartyr)
Colm Spillane (Castlelyons)
Justin Oke (Carrigtwohill) 0-3
David Forde (Charleville) 0-4 (0-2 sdl)
Stephen Wills (Ballincollig) 0-12 (0-5 f, 0-1 65)
Will Condon (Kilworth) 2-3
Colin Walsh (Kanturk) 1-3
App?
