Glen Rovers and St Finbarr's collide in first decider since 1988 as five county hurling finals are set
DRIVING ON: Glen Rovers' Simon Kennefick hit 0-3 against Midleton. Picture: INPHO/Ben Brady
It’s a first Glen Rovers versus St Finbarr’s top-level county final in Cork for 38 years after a packed weekend of semi-finals across Leeside.
The main event was the Glen’s 2-21 to 1-18 victory over top seeds Midleton, who looked in a decent position at half-time when trailing 0-10 to 0-9 but with the wind to come. However, the northsiders put themselves in a strong position in the last quarter with Micheál Mullins’ second goal. His strike just after the break had been cancelled out by Paul Connaughton but the Magpies never snuck their noses in front.
The Glen could even afford to miss a late penalty, which Patrick Horgan rifled wide, while Tommy O’Connell was dismissed in the closing stages. Horgan totalled 0-11, three from play, but crucially they got 0-3 apiece from Dean Brosnan and Simon Kennefick and 0-2 from Eoin O'Leary.
Rob and Eoin Downey were forceful in defence and while Conor Lehane clipped 0-7, 0-4 from play, Midleton, last year's runners-up, never fully fired.
Having started the season with a very sluggish display against Midleton, St Finbarr’s are peaking at the right time after a gritty victory over newcomers Kanturk. Paudie Murray’s side were four points down after Alan Walsh hit the net early in the second half in the Páirc, having trailed by five after 20 minutes, but rallied after a terrific Ethan Twomey goal.
Cork U20 Conor Noonan put the Duhallow outfit 1-22 to 1-20 up in the 55th minute but the Barrs hit the last seven points, through Ben Cunningham (3), Brian Hayes, Jack Cahalane, John Wigginton Barrett and Twomey. Key for the Togher side was Hayes’ haul of 0-5 from play, a tally matched by Cunningham. Keeper Shane Hurley made some key saves.
In the Senior A grade, Carrigtwohill pulled off a shock by taking out favourites Blarney. Denis Walsh's side are without their leading marksman Sean Walsh through injury but his younger brother Patrick hit 0-6 from play, including the score to clinch it. The East Cork outfit, beaten in the last four 12 months ago, were pumped from the off and deservedly set up a clash with Erin's Own.
Relegated last term, the Caherlag side kept Watergrasshill at arm's length throughout though Shane Irwin's second-half goal was critical. Peter O'Shea did superbly when switched back after Oran O'Regan was forced off, while Cork hurler Robbie O'Flynn laced 0-4.
The Premier Intermediate Hurling semi-finals both ended explosively. Ballincollig hit 1-10 in the last quarter to overturn an eight-point deficit against Carrigaline while corner-back Dylan Healy was Dungourney's hero with a winning goal just minutes after Eoghan Crowley struck for Valley Rovers.
The fitness of Brian Keating, who turned the tide for Ballincollig, and Jack Leahy, who clipped two points off the bench for Dungourney, will be a key factor heading into the county final on October 18. Collig beat Dungourney in the semi last season before falling short to Ballinhassig, while the East Cork side were victorious when the clubs met in the 2023 group stages.
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At Intermediate A level, the two second teams never really got going, leaving us with an intriguing Aghada-Bandon decider.
Aghada have built up real momentum since qualifying from the group with a victory over Kilbrittain. They survived a storming Mallow comeback in the quarter-final before the firepower provided by John Looney, Will Leahy and Charlie Terry proved too much for Sars to handle.
They face a side that beat them in the opening round, after a 2-24 to 1-24 thriller, who are eager to make up for last season's county final loss to Aghabullogue. Former Cork hurler Michael Cahalane is Bandon's marquee man but Jack Cullinane blasted in 1-5 against Midleton with Mark Sugrue and Kevin Hannon also netting.
At Premier Junior level, favourites St Catherine's were in clinical form in the second half against Barryroe in a 5-19 to 1-18 success where Gearoid O'Brien, Brian and Matt Mulcahy grabbed the goals.
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Kilshannig put their football disappointment behind them with a strong first half against Argideen Rangers, hitting two goals on route to an emphatic 2-24 to 0-15 success.
Glen Rovers v St Finbarr’s, 4pm.
Dungourney v Ballincollig, 2pm.
St Catherine’s v Kilshannig, 7.30pm.
Aghada v Bandon, 5pm.
Carrigtwohill v Erin’s Own, 4pm.
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