Avondhu surprise Skibb, wins too for St Finbarr's and Castlehaven
AVONDHU suffered the heartache of an injury-time first round in the Cork SFC, but they have bounced back commendably, defeating Skibbereen’s O’Donovan Rossa in Sunday’s second round tie at Coachford.
The north Cork division saw off last year’s beaten semi-finalists 1-9 to 1-7, eliminating them in the process. O'Donovan Rossa were left to regret their bad luck in losing top forwards Kevin Davis through injury after just five minutes and Conor McCarthy to a black card 20 minutes later.
They led 1-4 to 0-5 at the interval but were rocked by a Shane Beston goal which propelled Avondhu into a lead they never relinquished.
There were impressive wins also Sunday evening for St Finbarr’s, who beat Carbery 1-12 to 1-9, and Castlehaven, who saw off the challenge of Cork IT 4-17 to 3-9, with goals from Michael Hurley, Brian Hurley and a brace from Shane Nolan.
The Barrs led Carbery 0-6 to 0-5 in a tight affair, but a Paul Harte goal just after the interval gave them the edge. Cork U21 Stephen Sherlock was unnerring from frees too.
Another West Cork side, Carbery Rangers, also progressed to Rd 4, defeating Douglas 1-13 to 0-12 in a second round tie in Dunmanway. The Rosscarbery men sprinted out of the blocks and a Kieran Fitzpatrick goal gave them a commanding 1-8 to 0-3 half-time lead. Douglas found their feet in the second period, and courtesy of nine points from Alan Cadogan narrowed the gap to a goal before running out of time.
Two Josh Henry goals gave Clonakilty a measure of revenge for their defeat to St Nick’s last year, as they saw off the same opposition Saturday in a Cork SFC Rd 2B clash. Clon led 2-7 to 0-5 at the break, and cruised to a 3-14 to 0-9 win, with Jack O’Mahony grabbing six points.
Reigning champions Nemo Rangers had little difficulty is seeing off divisional outfit Muskerry at Páirc Ui Rinn on Sunday, winning 3-12 to 2-9. The city side led 2-5 to 0-4 at the interval and when Muskerry threatened to make a game of it with a Ben Shorten goal, Nemo reacted superbly with three points and then a third goal from Paul Kerrigan.
The south-east division battle between Valley Rovers and senior debutants Carrigaline never took off, with Rovers claiming a 0-13 to 0-5 success. Carrigaline struggled for impetus, and only managed one pointed free in the second period. While an overall tally of 17 wides did not help the Rovers' cause, they still had enough firepower to emerge from the local derby.
John Cottrell, with 0-3, Kevin Canty and Fiachra Lynch impressed for the victors.
Tadhg Twomey and Carthach Keane combined for 1-6 as Newcestown advanced to SFC Rd 3 with a 3-13 to 1-10 victory against Aghada at Ballygarvan. The deadly duo operated in a two man full-forward line and Keane’s first half goal - combined with some excellent goalkeeping from Chris White in the Newcestown goal - gave the West Cork men a 1-10 to 0-9 half-time lead. Aghada didn’t give up, not by a long shot, but the killer blow arrived in the 42nd minute when Carthach Keane was fouled for a penalty that was converted by Tadhg Twomey.
Duhallow, beaten by Nemo Rangers in Rd 1, destroyed the Seandún division 3-17 to 0-3 in a one-sided Rd 2B SFC clash on Sunday.
Despite the absence of a number of key personnel, Midleton delivered a strong message at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday night that they are going to be involved at the business end of the Cork SHC, seeing off Newtownshandrum 3-21 to 1-15.
Six points on the bounce after half time suggested Newtown could overturn a 1-12 to 0-7 interval deficit, but goals from Bud Hartnett, his second, and Conor Lehane, saw the Magpies home safely.
Ballyhea’s Pa O’Callaghan lived up to his billing as one of the most talented hurlers outside of the Cork squad as he claimed ten points in his side’s Cork SHC victory over Carrigtwohill on Saturday. O’Callaghan’s seven points from play was the difference at Kilworth, Ballyhea winning 2-14 to 1-10.
One of the games of the weekend in Cork was the Premier IHC clash won by Cloyne, who eventually saw off Fermoy 2-16 to 1-15. An injury-time point from Paudie O’Sullivan gave the east Cork side breathing space as Fermoy sought to grab a draw.
In the same competition Bandon defeated Watergrasshill 2-16 to 0-16. Darren and Ronan Crowley, Jason Hickey, Adam Murphy and Mark Sugrue were on target as Bandon moved 0-8 to 0-4 ahead inside 22 minutes and Ronan Crowley extended the advantage with the game's opening goal. They led 1-10 to 0-8 at half time
A goal and six points from Fr O’Neill’s Declan Dalton was key as the Ladysbridge club saw off Meelin 1-15 to 2-9 in Cork’s IHC.
