Carrigtwohill 1-22 Na Piarsaigh 2-14
A better-balanced Carrigtwohill side had too much for Na Piarsaigh in the Co-Op SuperStores SAHC at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday evening.
It’s now two wins from two games in Group 1 for the Imokilly side. Na Piarsaigh have now suffered a second successive loss.
Carrigtwohill did play the final 16 minutes plus five minutes of added time with 14 players after Pat O’Sullivan picked up a second yellow card. It makes the five-point win more impressive, in what was a very polished performance.
The heavy lifting was done in the first half, leading by a point at half-time having played against the wind. The margin of victory could have been greater as they registered double-digits in terms of wides, 16 in fact.
Carrigtwohill face local rivals Killeagh, who are on two points, in the final group game. Na Piarsaigh must beat Fermoy, who are on two points, to have any chance of finishing in the top two.
Kevin Moynihan, Na Piarsaigh, strikes a sideline cut against Carrigtwohill. Picture: Jim Coughlan
Despite playing against a strong enough wind in the first half, Denis Walsh’s side started with a purpose and a conviction to their play. They hit 1-4 inside five minutes.
Seán Walsh with two points, one which a free, while Patrick Walsh and Matthew Barrett also got points. The goal was well worked involving Barrett and Seán Walsh resulting in James Mulcahy having an easy finish to the net.
A Daire Connery free six minutes in was badly needed for Na Piarsaigh, but they were playing second fiddle in the early exchanges.
Barrett did convert a long range free for Carrigtwohill, but they would rue some poor shooting when Na Piarsaigh rattled off 1-2 without reply. Connery and Ross O’Sullivan with frees while the goal was sublime.
A trademark run from Connery ended up with the forward unleashing a powerful shot to the net, 1-5 to 1-3 after 14 minutes.
Carrigtwohill’s Jay Horgan wins the ball against Na Piarsaigh. Picture: Jim Coughlan
A Seán Walsh free was timely, ending a run of seven minutes without a score for Carrigtwohill.
Na Piarsaigh’s Patrick Rourke was somehow denied what looked like a certain goal after 18 minutes when Aaron Walsh-Barry made an incredible goal-line clearance. It did go out for a 65, which Connery converted.
The sides traded white flags with the Imokilly outfit 1-7 to 1-5 clear 10 minutes to the interval.
The game did explode into life in the final stages of the first half. Patrick Walsh did extend Carrigtwohill’s lead before the teams were level when Na Piarsaigh goalkeeper Luke Donovan’s long delivery into the square wasn’t dealt with by his opposite number Shane Devlin and the ball trickled into the net, 2-5 to 1-8 after 22 minutes.
The teams swapped points until Seán Walsh and Barrett points steadied the Carrigtwohill ship.
The northsiders did hit two of the last three points of the half to trail 1-12 to 2-8 at half-time.
The teams exchanged white flags at the start of the second half, as Carrigtwohill were now backed by a strong wind.
The Walsh brothers, Seán and Patrick, pointed as their team pushed 1-15 to 2-9 clear five minutes into the second 30 minutes.
Ross O’Sullivan of Na Piarsaigh under pressure from Pat O’Sullivan of Carrigtwohill. Picture: Jim Coughlan
Carrigtwohill had more about them, Mulcahy and Justin Oke added further points, as they were now dominating in every sector.
They were reduced to 14 players after 44 minutes when Pat O’Sullivan received a second yellow card.
It didn’t deter Carrigtwohill, three quick-fire white flags gave them an eight-point buffer, 1-20 to 2-9. Na Piarsaigh needed something to happen in the final 10 minutes.
Three Connery frees on the trot was a start. A comeback never looked likely even with an extra man, a Seán Walsh point just kept that firm distance between the teams.
Na Piarsaigh did hit two of the last three points, but it’s now back to the drawing board for them.
Scorers for Carrigtwohill: S Walsh 0-9 (0-3 f), J Mulcahy 1-4, M Barrett (0-2 f), P Walsh 0-4 each, J Oke 0-1.
Na Piarsaigh: D Connery 1-6 (0-4 f, 0-1 65), R O’Sullivan 0-4 f, L Donovan 1-0, C Hanifin, O Galvin, Evan Sheehan (f), P Guest 0-1 each.
CARRIGTWOHILL: S Devlin; B Twomey, A Walsh-Barry, P O’Sullivan; D Murnan, S de Búrca, J Horgan; M Barrett, J Oke; P Walsh, S Walsh, C O’Riordan; L Gosnell, J Mulcahy, L O’Sullivan.
Subs: S Brennan for L Gosnell (45), T Hogan for L O’Sullivan (52).
NA PIARSAIGH: L Donovan; G Joyce, C Flynn, P Murphy; K Buckley, C Buckley, C Meaney; G Healy, C Hanifin; K Moynihan, D Connery, P Rourke; P Guest, R O’Sullivan, C Hogan.
Subs: O Galvin for C Hogan (36), Evan Sheehan for G Healy (45), Eoin Sheehan for C Flynn (50), L Sheehan for P Rourke (51), E Cronin for D Connery (59, inj).
Referee: Conor Lane (Banteer).