Cork Hurling Team of the Week: Kanturk trio lead way after group-stage heroics

And just like that, the group stages are completed and the knockout stages have been set. As always with the modern format, there were plenty of twists and turns in the final round.

And with that, there were many exceptional individual displays, so here’s your Echo Team of the Week, spanning the best performers across the top three grades of Cork hurling.

Goalkeeper: James Linehan (Ballincollig) 

Ballincollig advanced straight to the semi-final of the PIHC after a brilliant battle with Aghabullogue, where goalkeeper Linehan made two excellent saves to keep their opponents from goaling in the third quarter.

Corner-back: Jamie O’Leary (Castlelyons) 

Immense in defence for Castlelyons all throughout, and got in a first-half block to deny Ballyhea a goal. Given how tight the game was for so long, that moment certainly proved to be key.

Full-back: Kevin Maguire (Ballinhassig) 

Denied a Carrigtwohill goal on 35 minutes and was superb at full-back from start to finish. Were it not for Maguire’s efforts, Ballinhassig would not have been in a position to get the draw they needed.

Corner-back: Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers) 0-2 

Started as the sweeper and ended the game firing over a point from centre-forward, Eoin Downey’s influence was ever-present for the Glen as they took down Fr O’Neill’s and sealed their progression from the group stages.

Half-back: Lorcán McLoughlin (Kanturk) 0-2 

Still so influential for Kanturk, former Cork senior McLoughlin brought his best here in their dominant victory over Blackrock. 

Won a plethora of Rockies’ puckouts and swept up in the half-back line. He even chipped in with a couple of excellent scores.

Centre-back: Robert Downey (Glen Rovers) 0-1 

Keeping Declan Dalton’s influence to the minimum is no easy feat, but Rob Downey made it look exactly that – easy. Was stuck to his Cork teammate’s hip all evening, and came out with plenty of possessions too. Conjured up one of those effortless, galloping runs that ended with a beautiful point, too.

Half-back: Seán Brennan (Carrigtwohill) 

Carrig’s standout defender in their draw with Ballinhassig, working tirelessly throughout and very influential for the east Cork club.

Midfielder: Alan Fenton (Castlelyons) 1-8 (1-3 f) 

Has served Castlelyons with distinction over the years and came up trumps when relegation was a troubling possibility. Contributed 1-8 overall – including 0-5 from play – as they finished 12-point winners against Ballyhea.

Midfielder: Brian O’Sullivan (Kanturk) 1-12 (0-10 f, 1-0 pen, 0-1 65) 

One of many Kanturk names to be included here, and rightly so. O’Sullivan was immense again. It means back-to-back Team of the Week appearances for Brian, this one more than merited after running the show against the Rockies.

Half-forward: Colin Walsh (Kanturk) 0-4 

The third Kanturk man to make the starting 15, Walsh was imperious up front and chipped in with 0-4. Put the ball in that allowed Kanturk to win the early penalty and get the rout underway.

Centre-forward: Micheál Mullins (Glen Rovers) 0-4 

So impressive in the opening period for Glen Rovers. As O’Neill’s failed to settle, Mullins’ movement, shooting and passing were pivotal in building up the insurmountable gap. When he was repositioned to sweeper in the second half, his influence persisted.

Half-forward: Barry Lawton (Castlemartyr) 2-7 (0-3 f) 

An outrageous scoring haul whatever way you view it, even if the game ended in a disappointing defeat for Castlemartyr. Barry brought his very best against Dungourney and helped his side get back into the game after a nightmare start.

Corner-forward: Kevin Moynihan (Na Piarsaigh) 0-7 

While Killeagh managed to curtail the influence of Ross O’Sullivan, they had no answer to Kevin Moynihan in the other corner. The Na Piarsaigh forward was exceptional from start to finish, and ended the contest with a staggering seven points, all from play.

Full-forward: Cillian O’Callaghan (Dungourney) 3-1 

What a hurler Cillian O’Callaghan is turning out to be. He had hit the net three times in the first 15 minutes as Dungourney blitzed Castlemartyr at the start of the game. That’s now eight goals in six championship games this season. Five for Dungourney; three for Imokilly.

Corner-forward: Kevin O’Reilly (Carrigaline) 3-2 

Another hat-trick hero, O’Reilly has developed a habit of popping up with key scores when Carrigaline need them most. Put in an exceptional display against Kilworth, and Carrigaline got their reward with a place in the quarter-finals against Cloyne.

Substitutes:

Grantas Bucinskas (Kanturk) 

Darragh O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig) 0-2 

Tommy Walsh (Kanturk) 

Mark Coleman (Blarney) 0-4 (0-2 65, 0-1 f) 

Daire Connery (Na Piarsaigh) 0-9 (0-5 f, 0-1 65) 

Cian O’Riordan (Carrigtwohill) 0-4 

Jack Leahy (Dungourney) 0-12 (0-3 f, 0-2 65) 

Jamie Coughlan (Newtownshandrum) 0-11 (0-9 f, 0-1 65) 

Paul Connaughton (Midleton) 1-2