Cork Hurling Team of the Week: Goals galore from a set of forwards that combine for 6-32 from play

Another week of action put down, and it was a huge one across the Cork club hurling championships. Here's your Echo Team of the Week, selecting the best performers across the top three grades.

Goalkeeper: Stephen Nyhan (Courcey Rovers) 0-1 f

Back-to-back appearances for the Courceys goalkeeper, as he makes the team of the week once again. Though he came out on the losing side, Rovers would have been completely overrun by Carrig were it not for some exceptional shot-stopping by Nyhan.

Corner-back: Michael Gowen (Kilworth) 

Though Kilworth were eventually beaten, Gowen was outstanding in the corner, making a vital block to stop a goal in the 19th minute that would have left them chasing the game against Valleys, before then getting a hook in on Eoghan Crowley to deny a certain point. Excellent.

Full-back: Rob Downey (Glen Rovers) 

Tasked with marking Cork teammate Alan Walsh, and excelled as he so often does. Made a brilliant intervention at the death to protect Rovers’ lead.

Corner-back: Shane Broderick (Erin’s Own) 

One of many bright sparks for Erin’s Own as they defeated east Cork opponents Killeagh to seal progression. Very impressive throughout at full-back.

Half-back: Conor Desmond (Ballinhassig) 0-3 

Superb at wing-back for the Blues as they maintained their perfect start to life at Senior A, finishing with 0-3 in their win over Inniscarra.

Centre-back: Luke Meade (Newcestown) 

Dictated the game for Newcestown as they were within inches of drawing with Midleton for the second year running. Put in an excellent shift too against Bride Rovers, the former Cork senior proving his worth.

Half-back: Oran O’Regan (Erin’s Own) 

Had the daunting role of curtailing Barry Walsh, and did it very well. Outstanding at centre-back, and was really pivotal in turning the game in favour of the Caherlag outfit.

Midfielder: Daniel Kearney (Sarsfields) 0-3 

Contributed 0-3 in total including a crucial one late to give them breathing room over Newtown, and assisted two goals, providing James Sweeney and Barry O’Flynn with the pass for their finishes. An outstanding shift as always from Kearney.

Midfielder: Brian O’Sullivan (Kanturk) 1-15 (0-9 f, 1-0 penalty, 0-1 65, 0-1 sideline) 

A scoring tally like that – even with the asterisk of placed balls – will always catch the eye. Imperious for Kanturk in their defeat to the Glen, as the Cork panellist boosted his tally from the opening two games to 1-22, enough to rank him as the Premier Senior top scorer.

Half-forward: Conor Cahill (Cloyne) 1-3 

Cloyne’s success so far has come from every man pulling their weight rather than the reliance on one standout, but Conor Cahill was the main man against Castlemartyr. Scored 1-3 himself and showed quick-thinking to take his goal, but it was his determined run down the flank that forged the space for his brother Noel to net the winning goal.

Centre-forward: William Buckley (St Finbarr’s) 0-7 

Just William Buckley doing William Buckley things. With Jack Cahalane and Brian Hayes having to depart early for the Barrs, there was never any doubt against Bride Rovers as Buckley tormented the opposition, finishing with 0-7 from play.

Half-forward: Robbie Cotter (Blackrock) 3-2 

Perhaps the most impressive individual scoring haul – on a weekend in which there are many to choose from – Cotter was absolutely lethal every time he had the ball in hand. To Mike Millerick’s credit he did all he could to stop Cotter, but the Blackrock sharpshooter had an eye for goal every time he was in possession, and he would not be stopped.

Corner-forward: James Mulcahy (Carrigtwohill) 0-9 (0-1 f) 

What do you do without your talisman? 

That’s the question Carrig have unfortunately been forced to answer in Seán Walsh’s absence, but, in their victory over Courcey Rovers, Mulcahy stuck his hand in the air and waved it eight times from play. Outstanding.

Full-forward: Ross O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh) 0-10 (0-2 f) 

A most welcome sight for Na Piarsaigh, and a most convincing return from Ross O’Sullivan. Ten in total with eight from play, he tore through Fermoy on his first appearance for the northsiders since coming back from the States.

Corner-forward: Adam Murphy (Watergrasshill) 2-4 

The most potent attacking weapon in a Watergrasshill performance that overpowered near-neighbours Castlelyons, Murphy was on fire as he finished with a staggering 2-4 from play.

Substitutes:

Cian Buckley (Na Piarsaigh) 

Daire O’Leary (Watergrasshill) 0-2 

Ben Walsh (Killeagh) 

Joseph Enright (Inniscarra) 0-9 (0-8 f) 

James Lane (Aghabullogue) 0-6 

Conor Lenihan (Erin’s Own) 1-8 (0-3 f, 0-1 65) 

Leo Hennessy (Ballymartle) 0-5 

Ben Cunningham (St Finbarr’s) 2-4 (0-2 f) 

PJ Linehan (Blackrock) 0-5