Clinical Courcey Rovers have too much firepower for Kinsale in U21 Hurling Championship

Courcey Rovers 5-21 Kinsale 1-11 

Courcey Rovers outclassed Kinsale with a five-star performance in the Ross Oil U21 A Hurling Championship at Ballinspittle on Sunday.

Having lost their opening fixture to Carrigaline, the Ballinspittle outfit needed a win to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages alive.

Playing with a gale-force wind in the opening 30 minutes, Courceys dominated the half to lead 3-12 to 0-3 at the interval. Goals from Michael Maguire, Donnacha Walsh and Conor Crowley provided a comfortable cushion.

From the throw-in, Courceys laid down a marker as Walsh fired to the net. Making the most of the strong wind, they led 1-6 to no score after 13 minutes before Maguire struck for his first goal.

Leading by 2-10, Courceys finally conceded a score when David Forde opened Kinsale’s account a minute later. A further Kinsale point followed, but Walsh and Colm Morgan combined to set up Conor Crowley for another goal on 27 minutes and by the break it was 3-12 to 0-3.

Although the wind had eased in the second half, Kinsale still faced a difficult task. Cillian Fitzpatrick almost gave his side the perfect start, but his effort drifted wide before Maguire found the net at the other end in the opening minutes.

It was a more competitive second half, with Ollie Buckley trying to bring Kinsale back into the contest. Ger Murphy’s goal gave his side some hope, but the damage had already been done. Jack Harrington’s goal on 38 minutes effectively settled the contest, while Maguire and Lucas Harrington impressed throughout.

Courceys ran out convincing winners, leaving Kinsale needing to beat Carrigaline in their final game to remain in the competition.

Scorers for Courcey Rovers: M Maguire 2-5 (0-2 f), L Harrington 0-8 (0-2 f), C Crowley, J Harrington 1-2 each, D Walsh 1-0, J Crowley, E Daly 0-2 each.

Kinsale: D Forde 0-5 (0-4 f), G Murphy 1-0, N Ryan 0-3, Cillian Fitzpatrick 0-2, O Buckley 0-1.

COURCEY ROVERS: D Hickey; S Galvin, G Galvin, D Winter; C Galvin, D Coakley, P Galvin; J Coakley, L Harrington; C Morgan, J Harrington, C Crowley; O Smith, M Maguire, D Walsh.

Subs: E Daly for O Smith (37), E Maguire for D Walsh (44), S Hales for C Galvin (47), D O’Connell for S Galvin (52), D O’Leary for L Harrington (57).

KINSALE: T O’Callaghan; B Cahill, S Hurley, S Loughnane; C Kiely, Connor Fitzpatrick, O Buckley; D Ford, O Ryan; G Kearney, N Ryan, S Byrne; R O’Brien, Cillian Fitzgerald, C McCarthy Cleary.

Subs: B McGinn for O Ryan (injured, 3), G Murphy for R O’Brien (20), A Coughlan for S Loughnane (36), E Browne for C McCarthy Cleary (44), T Healy for C Kiely (53).

Referee: Michael O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).