Premier JHC: Kilshannig maintain their upward momentum

Last year's county junior A hurling champions Kilshannig and Barryroe are through to the Co-op SuperStores Premier JHC knockout stages with a game to spare as they both made it two wins from two at the weekend.

Kilshannig maintained their upward momentum as an opening-round win over Nemo Rangers was followed with a 1-25 to 0-13 Group 1 victory over Glen Rovers’ second team on Saturday in Glenville.

Diarmuid O’Sullivan got the Kilshannig goal while Jack Twomey and Andy Hourigan also impressed on the scoring front.

The result eliminates the Glen, last year’s beaten finalists, and leaves Kilshannig on four points, one ahead of Ballygarvan, who drew with Nemo Rangers in Carrigaline on Sunday. With the south-east side having a 19-point advantage in terms of scoring-difference, Nemo would need a big win over the Glen along with a Kilshannig triumph against Ballygarvan.

In Group 3, Luke Murphy’s goal was key as Barryroe came out on top in their local derby against Argideen Rangers at a packed Clonakilty on Sunday.

The 1-18 to 0-16 triumph followed on from the win over St Finbarr’s, who beat Mayfield by 1-25 to 1-23 on Friday night in Ovens, with Sam Cunningham in irrepressible form as he scored 1-14.

It leaves the Barrs and Argideen playing off for second and Barryroe in an unassailable position in first place as they would have head-to-head advantage over the that pair in the event of a defeat to Mayfield, who will be seeking to avoid the relegation playoff.

In Group 2, Brian Mulcahy’s first-half goal set St Catherine’s on their way to a 1-23 to 1-16 win over Milford in Kildorrery on Friday.

Dan Mangan was also in fine form for the Ballynoe/Conna outfit, with goalkeeper Eoin Davis contributing some long-range dead balls too.

While Catherine’s now sit on four points, they are not yet guaranteed knockout hurling as a defeat to Tracton in the last round could bring scoring difference into play if Milford were to beat Cloughduv.

Cathal Lowney’s two goals and 15 points from Cian Quinn gave Tracton – beaten by Milford first day out – a 2-23 to 3-16 win over Cloughduv in Belgooly, with Mark Verling landing 1-9 for the beaten side.

With a scoring difference of just minus-six after two defeats, Cloughduv still retain some hope of advancing but they would need to beat Milford and hope that Catherine’s see off Tracton.a