Week three of the Cork club hurling championships is in the books, and the cutting room was as ruthless as ever. Conor Lenihan can count himself unlucky – 1-3 from play for Erin’s Own and still missed out.
Here, then, are the standouts from Premier Senior, Senior A and Premier Intermediate – the 15 who defined the weekend.
Goalkeeper: Ben Graham (Sarsfields)
At the third time of asking Graham finally claims the number 1 jersey. Distribution sharp, reflexes sharper, and his catalogue of saves kept Sars on the front foot.
Corner-back: Conor O’Sullivan (Sarsfields) 0-1
Tigerish at the back and even found time to motor upfield for a point in the win over Glen. His second consecutive appearance in the team of the week.
Full-back: Eoin Moloney (Midleton)
A superb showing from the Midleton defender, rock solid in both halves and ensured Tim Hawe couldn’t find the space to turn the tide in Charleville’s favour.
Corner-back: Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s)
Alan Walsh can testify to this one. You’d struggle to find a better performance from a corner-back this weekend, the standout performer for the Barrs.
Half-back: Mike Leahy (Dungourney) 0-4
Launched Dungourney’s fightback with a string of booming scores from half-back. The heartbeat of their comeback over Lisgoold.
Centre-back: Kevin O’Neill (Watergrasshill) 0-2
A monstrous display against Bride Rovers. O’Neill was more than braced for it, and excelled at centre-back. Ruled for the Hill in the second half when Rovers threatened a comeback, and even chipped in with two points in the opening act.
Half-back: Tommy O’Connell (Midleton)
Swept, scrambled, dictated. O’Connell was Midleton’s outstanding figure, holding the fort as they sealed knockout qualification.
Midleton’s Tommy O’Connell swept up everything in their win over Charleville. Picture: Eddie O’Hare
Midfielder: Niall Cashman (Blackrock) 0-2
Another day, another performance. Cashman has been the Rockies’ constant across three games, and Douglas never got near him. Two more points to take his tally to 0-7 from the three games.
Midfielder: Brian O’Sullivan (Kanturk) 0-6 (0-5 f)
Their campaign ended early but O’Sullivan finished it in the way he’s long made a habit of – standing tallest when little else was working.
Half-forward: Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold) 1-7
Impossible not to include. His 1-7 from play showing just how much Healy has gone from strength to strength in recent years. Their season is over, but Lisgoold have laid a foundation they’ll certainly be building on, with Healy at the core.
Centre-forward: Adam Murphy (Watergrasshill) 0-13 (0-6 f)
The weekend’s outstanding act. Gave an absolute exhibition against Bride Rovers, grabbed 12 of his 13 in the first half – some impossibly tight angles – hit the crossbar, and came agonisingly close to getting a late goal. Unmarkable.
Half-forward: Patrick Walsh (Carrigtwohill) 2-3
Carrig’s starlet continues to shine, seemingly getting better and better every game, with his best performance yet in their dominant win over Killeagh. A haul of 2-3, all from play.
Carrigtwohill’s Patrick Walsh scored 2-3 in their win over Killeagh. Picture: Eddie O’Hare
Corner-forward: Robbie Cotter (Blackrock) 0-7
Could have named half the Rockies’ attack, but Robbie Cotter gets the nod for corner-forward. One of three to land 0-7 from play against Douglas in an excellent performance.
Full-forward: Seán Walsh (Carrigtwohill) 2-7 (0-3 f)
Notched 2-4 from play, and now sits on 2-19 across three games. Walsh is on a tear – that’s 2-11 from play, by the way. Performing when it counts. If such form is maintained, he won’t be long appearing on Ben O’Connor’s radar.
Assuming he’s not already on it.
Corner-forward: Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers) 2-10 (1-4 f, 0-1 65)
The other side of the coin. The veteran, the leader. He owes Cork hurling absolutely nothing, but is proving once again this season that he’s still got the goods for Glen Rovers. A total of 2-10, 1-5 from play. Year after year, the question is asked. Year after year, the answer is emphatic.
Outstanding when it counted, even if the Glen were beaten by the reigning Munster champions.
Robbie Cotter, Blackrock, scored 0-7 from play against Douglas. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Substitutes:
Cian Hogan (Bride Rovers) 0-1
Jay Horgan (Carrigtwohill)
Mark Coleman (Blarney) 1-5 (0-5 f, 1-0 pen)
Joe Millerick (Fr O’Neill’s) 0-3
Justin Oke (Carrigtwohill) 0-2
Daniel Hogan (Sarsfields) 0-5
Brendan Lehane (Watergrasshill) 1-2
Kevin O’Keeffe (Blackrock) 0-7
Michael O’Halloran (Blackrock) 0-7