Craig O'Sullivan fires Na Piarsaigh minor hurlers to impressive victory over Carrigaline
Carrigaline's Jerry Scannell makes a fine catch while under pressure from Na Piarsaigh's forwards. Picture: David Creedon
Inspired by 15 points from Craig O’Sullivan, Na Piarsaigh produced a magnificent brand of hurling against Carrigaline in the Cork ETB Premier 1 MHC.
This was a statement of intent from the Farranree side, whose skills and spirit were a privilege to witness, and head into their final group game with rivals Glen Rovers with two wins under their belts. Glen, having lost to Ballincollig, will need a victory in the derby to avoid elimination.
The accuracy of Cork U20 O’Sullivan was exceptional but this was a super team performance against a quality Carrigaline outfit.
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The opening exchanges were competitive, but it was the visitors who gained an early advantage with consecutive points from Luke Jordan and Charlie Hanratty. Talisman Craig O’Sullivan got the hosts up and running with two unanswered points in the sixth minute.
Credit to both teams, the hurling was crisp and slick but with a strong wind, Na Piarsaigh took command and raised a green flag after some good build-up play.
At the end of a four-man passing move, the sliotar landed with Luke Hurley, who went on a solo run before unleashing an unstoppable shot to the back of the net for his fifth goal in two matches.
Leading 1-5 to 0-3, Na Piarsaigh looked to be gaining control but Carrigaline responded with an opportunistic Cillian Murphy goal.
Coming up to the break saw Na Piarsaigh restored control and points from Cork minor Callum Coffey and Jamie Coughlan ensured they went in with a six-point lead, 1-12 to 1-6.
After playing against the stiff wind, Carrigaline were expected to get back in the mix but Luke Hurley gave the home side the perfect start to the scecond half with a classy score in the 33rd minute.
Na Piarsaigh were winning all the dirty ball with Carrigaline looking a disjointed unit with O’Sullivan continuing to strike over points at will.
Carrigaline were simply outscored and outfought as their four-point second-half tally shows with only two coming from play.
When O’Sullivan brought his tally to 15 points with five minutes remaining, Carrigaline had run out of ideas.
It was a case of closing out the game for Na Piarsaigh and they did so in style.
Their players and management enjoyed their second win of the campaign having previously defeated Ballincolllig by the narrowest of margins after a first-round cracker.
C O’Sullivan 0-15 (0-8 f, 0-1 65), L Hurley 1-2, C Coffey 0-2, J Coughlan, Corey O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
C Hanratty 0-5 (0-3 f), C Murphy 1-0, E Ahern 0-2, L Jordan, B McCarthy, R Murphy 0-1 each.
C Quinn; J O’Connor, R Quinlan, D O’Leary; R Manley, N Coffey, D Casey; R Cronin, J Coughlan; J Cahalane, C O’Sullivan, J Burke; C O’Sullivan, L Hurley, C Coffey.
J Constant for J Cahalane (57), A Crowley for J Coughlan (57).
T Laverty; M Tiernan, J Scannell, J Cremin; D O Beolain, R Murphy, G O’Brien; O Lynch, E Ahern; C Buckley, C Hanratty, C Murphy; L Jordan, B McCarthy, C Murphy.
J O’Grady for B McCarthy (43), J Murphy for J Cremin (55), F Lehane for O Lynch (53).
Tom Manley (Inniscarra).
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