Cillian O'Callaghan hat-trick helps Dungourney past Castlemartyr into PIHC quarter-final

Dungourney 4-16 Castlemartyr 2-17 

Páirc Uí Chinnéide, a venue synonymous with the Kingfishr song Killeagh, was where the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship fate of Dungourney and Castlemartyr was decided on Sunday afternoon.

This East Cork derby most certainly lived up to the pre-match billing. But at the end of it all, it was Dungourney who advanced to the knockout stages.

Dungourney started this contest brighter, with Cillian O’Callaghan completing a sensational 15-minute hat-trick. Each finish was equally as impressive to the left corner, including a rocket of an opening goal on four minutes.

The ever-dependable Jack Leahy, who ended the contest with 0-10 to his name, also chipped in on the scoring with some lovely points, as Dungourney led 3-3 to 0-4 on the quarter-hour mark.

Castlemartyr were never going to roll over easily and they gradually grew into the contest. Their charge was sparked into life after 16 minutes, when Barry Lawton was on hand to apply a vital touch to a long ball from Cathal Martin.

Lawton got his and Castlemartyr’s second goal on the stroke of half-time with a sweet finish, but Dungourney led by three points at the break at 3-8 to 2-8.

Points from Kelly and Barry Lawton saw Castlemartyr get back on level terms early in the second half. Both sides traded scoring blow for blow, with the sides level at Dungourney 3-10 to the 2-13 of Castlemartyr on 45 minutes.

Yet another Barry Lawton point then edged Castlemartyr in front. But Dungourney then went ahead on 48 minutes, when Kelvin Cody Byrne found the back of the net with a fine strike to the corner.

Further scores late on from Leahy and Shane Hegarty sealed the deal from a Dungourney perspective.

Castlemartyr, who more than played their part in what was an enthralling battle, were reduced to 13 men in second-half stoppage time, as match referee Anthony O’Regan gave Jack McGann and Barra O'Tuama their marching orders following an off-the-ball incident.

Scorers for Dungourney: C O’Callaghan 3-1, J Leahy 0-10 (0-2 f, 0-1 65), K Cody Byrne 1-0, S Hegarty 0-2, D Healy, M Leahy, John Ahern 0-1 each.

Castlemartyr: Barry Lawton 2-7 (0-3 f), M Kelly 0-6 (0-5 f, 0-1 65), Brian Lawton, N Madden, M O’Dwyer, B McGann 0-1 each.

DUNGOURNEY: P Flynn; C Morgan, R Harney, D Healy; M Leahy, J Griffin, M McGrath; S Hegarty, N Motherway; K Cody Byrne, J Leahy, N McGrath; F Daly, C O’Callaghan, John Ahern.

Sub: James Ahern for Daly (44).

CASTLEMARTYR: J McGann; C Martin, D Joyce, B O’Tuama; D Leahy, C O’Neill, M Cosgrave; B McGann, C Sice; Brian Lawton, M Kelly, Barry Lawton; J Lawton, J Stack, M O’Dwyer.

Subs: N Madden for Sice (42), O Murphy for Cosgrave (57), C Finnegan for Stack (59).

Referee: Anthony O'Regan (Youghal)