Cork football Team of the Week: Nemo's Kevin O'Donovan leads the way in semi-final squad

With the county championships drawing to a close and the staggered nature of the finals to come, this is the final Echo Sport Cork Football Team of the Week this season, and it’s made up of the best performers from the top four grades across last weekend’s action.

As always, thanks must go to Denis Hurley, Barry O’Mahony and Éamonn Murphy for their regular input this year, and to Eoghan Cormican, Therese O’Callaghan and Stephen Barry for contributions too. This wouldn’t be possible without them.

Goalkeeper: Darragh Newman (St Finbarr’s) 

An incredible showing between the sticks, Newman pulled off a brilliant stop to deny Darragh Gough from the penalty spot and again to repel a point-blank effort from Seán White. Déjà vu from last week’s team with Shane Hurley.

Corner-back: Cillian Murphy (Éire Óg) 

A terrific display in Éire Óg’s win over Cill na Martra, he’s had a brilliant year at corner-back in that Éire Óg side, and saved his best for the semi-final.

Full-back: Darren Browne (Kanturk) 

His third Team of the Week appearance this season, but a first one in football. Did very well to curb the threat of Daragh Hayes given the pace of the Rosscarbery forward, and was a huge physical presence at full-back.

Corner-back: Jack Daly (Kiskeam) 

Fought hard throughout for Kiskeam and popped up with the crucial assist for Daniel Fitzgerald’s goal to win the game in extra time. It’s rare a defender would be praised for drawing a black card, but he stopped a threatening Fermoy counter-attack in the last 90 seconds of extra-time.

Half-back: James O’Mullane (Kilmurry) 0-1 

A lively presence as usual for Kilmurry and put in a superb shift at wing-back as they took down Boherbue to get back to the decider.

Centre-back: Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers) 

His third Team of the Week appearance of the year, and he’s player of the week here. Absolutely glued to Brian O’Driscoll for the entirety of the contest, this one would not have been won without his defending, nor the penalty that O’Donovan did so well to win.

That brilliant picture from Larry Cummins encapsulates his performance better than anything else. What a block.

Half-back: Jack Horgan (Nemo Rangers) 

Excellent in the quarter-final win over Castlehaven and so assured again here in the final four. Worked his way back from injury and started this campaign with the intermediates, but he’s been faultless since returning to Premier Senior.

Midfielder: Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s) 0-4 

Crucial in the closing stages and provided the lift St Finbarr’s needed. His scoring haul was pivotal, but Hayes put in a terrific shift out of possession.

Midfielder: Alan Walsh (Kanturk) 0-1 

Crucial point at a late stage when Kanturk forced extra time, and was a real aerial threat around the middle third once again. The Cork hurler has been very influential this season.

Half-forward: Mark Lenahan (Buttevant) 0-8 

A phenomenal display, eight from play tells you all you need to know. Lenahan has put together a fantastic campaign so far for Buttevant, and he will require some stopping in the decider against Kilmurry.

Centre-forward: Paul Hodnett (Carbery Rangers) 1-7 (1 tp, 1 tpf, 0-1 f) 

The star of the show for Rangers, putting it up to Kanturk at every stage. Finished with an impressive 1-7 and kicked some beautiful scores.

Half-forward: Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers) 1-7 (1-0 pen, 1 tp, 1 tpf, 0-1 f) 

Stepping up when it counts, Cronin did not put a foot wrong in Nemo’s win over Carrigaline, and delivered with every crunch placed ball and with an impressive return of 0-4 from play. Brilliant display.

Corner-forward: Grantas Bucinskas (Kanturk) 0-7 (0-2 f, 0-1 45, 0-1 m) 

The chief contributor on the scoreboard again for Kanturk, Bucinskas put in another top performance as they saw off Carbery Rangers, kicking the leveller to bring it to extra time, and also taking his tally to 4-25 for the championship season.

Full-forward: Chris Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire) 1-5 

Could reserve a spot just for Chris Óg here every week. Three teams made out of a possible four. Another outstanding performance for Uibh Laoire, and they’re now one win away from reaching the Senior ranks, and getting vengeance for last season.

Corner-forward: Seán O’Sullivan (Kiskeam) 0-7 (2 tpf) 

In four championship matches for Kiskeam this season, O’Sullivan’s worst return has been 0-4, and he struck 0-7 against Fermoy. Two two-point frees, one to draw the game and bring it to extra time, and another leveller in that extra-time period before the goal sealed it. Outstanding.

Substitutes:

Micheál Ó Deasúna (Cill na Martra) 0-4 (1 tp, 1 tpf) 

Ciarán O’Riordan (Uibh Laoire) 

Lorcán McLoughlin (Kanturk) 0-1 

Seán Meehan (Kiskeam) 

Bríain Murphy (Nemo Rangers) 0-2 

Johnny Galvin (Éire Óg) 1-3 

Ben Twomey (Fermoy) 0-7 (1 tp, 0-3 f, 0-1 45) 

Éanna Desmond (Carrigaline) 0-6 (0-1 f) 

Steven Sherlock (St Finbarr’s) 0-6 (2 tpf, 0-1 f)