Kanturk will operate at Premier Senior in both codes after superb victory over Éire Óg
Team captain Paul Walsh lifts the cup for Kanturk after the win in the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork County Senior A Football final; Kanturk vs Éire Óg at SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Picture: Larry Cummins
Kanturk got their hands on the Kevin McTernan Cup for the first time following victory over Éire Óg in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC county decider at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.
The Duhallow club will compete at the Premier Senior grade in both hurling and football next year.
Deservedly so, as Eoghan O’Connor’s side recovered from winning a single group game before seeing off Kilshannig, Carbery Rangers and Éire Óg to become county champions.
Man of the Match Paul Walsh’s first-half goal proved the final’s most crucial score. Even though they trailed at the break, the Duhallow side’s trio of two-pointers edged a close final.
Grantas Buncinskas and Tommy Walsh weighed in with important scores as did substitutes Ian Walsh and Cian Clernon.
A word too for this year’s runners-up, Éire Óg, who made their mark over the past twelve months.
Winning all four games en route to the final, Éire Óg missed out on becoming the first Cork club to win the same football grade title twice since the championship format’s change. Despite that disappointment, there is enough raw material within Eoin Fehily’s panel to bounce back in 2027.
Colm Clifford soloed clear and fired Éire Óg ahead inside the opening minute. Darragh Clifford followed suit as Kanturk struggled to gain a foothold.
A superb Colm O’Callaghan block denied the Duhallow club an opener until Brian O’Sullivan fisted over to make it 0-2 to 0-1.
Colin Walsh completed Kanturk’s comeback with a well-taken equaliser. The same player was involved in a move that ended with Paul Walsh collecting possession and striding towards goal.
The Kanturk forward expertly found the top corner to hand his side their first lead after 10 minutes.
A Daire McCarthy effort reduced the deficit but Éire Óg were punished for a three-up breach. Grantas Bucinskas’ converted two-point free made it 1-4 to 0-3.
Yet, unanswered Jerome Kelleher, Brian Thompson and Daniel Goulding (free) scores capped a positive Éire Óg spell and left a point between the teams.
Bucinskas and Goulding swapped scores prior to the latter landing another free and levelling matters.
That was until Colm Clifford’s second score sent the Ovens club in 0-9 to 1-5 ahead at the short whistle.
Liam O’Keefe equalised three minutes after the restart before a superb Paul Walsh effort edged Kanturk back in front on 37 minutes.
A quiet period ended with Kanturk patiently retaining possession and Grantas Bucinskas splitting the posts to make it 1-8 to 0-9.
Éire Óg’s decision to stand off their opponents mean they had to bide their time.
That was until a breakaway ended with Colm O’Callaghan making it a one-point game via a close-range score.
Soon after, Colin McGoldrick’s equaliser meant it was all to play with 15 minutes remaining.
Ronan O’Toole fisted over to restore Éire Óg’s advantage but Kanturk responded with Alan Walsh punching over the bar, from a long delivery, on the edge of the square.
Encouraged by that score, Tommy Walsh broke two tackles and kicked over a sublime two-pointer that made it 1-11 to 0-12.
Colm O’Callaghan replied however, leaving the bare minimum between the teams just five minutes from the end.
Paul Walsh steadied Kanturk’s ship and made 1-12 to 0-13 before substitute Ian Walsh landed a terrific two-pointer.
Johnny Galvin pulled one back but Kanturk secured victory via Cian Clernon’s injury-time insurance point.
They have Premier Senior football and hurling to look forward to in 2027.
P Walsh 1-2, G Bucinskas 0-4 (1 2pt f), T Walsh (1 2pt), I Walsh (1 2pt) 0-2 each, B O’Sullivan, C Walsh, L O’Keefe, A Walsh, C Clernon 0-1 each.
D Goulding 0-3 (0-2 f), C Clifford, C O’Callaghan 0-2 each, D Clifford, D McCarthy, J Kelleher, B Thompson, C McGoldrick, R O’Toole, J Galvin 0-1 each.
R Cashman; J McLoughlin, D Browne, L Cashman; M Healy, T Walsh, L McLoughlin; P Walsh (captain), A Walsh; L O’Keefe, B O’Sullivan, J Fitzpatrick; G Bucinskas, C Walsh, L O’Keefe.
R Walsh for J Fitzpatrick (35), L O’Neill for M Healy (52), I Walsh for L O’Keefe (57), C Clernon for C Walsh (60).
C Kelly; C Murphy, M Corkery, J Mullins; D McCarthy, C McGoldrick, B Thompson; M Griffin (captain), C O’Callaghan; C Clifford, D Clifford, J Kelleher; D Goulding, J Murphy, O O’Shea.
J Galvin for O O’Shea (ht), R O’Toole for J Kelleher (37), M Brady for D McCarthy (60).
James Regan (Lough Rovers).
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