Saturday’s Championship Review: Drama, Goals and Extra-Time Thrillers
Saturday delivered a dramatic day of championship hurling in Cork, with three Co-Op Superstores Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-finals producing plenty of scores, goals and late drama.
Carrigaline booked their semi-final place with an impressive display against Cloyne, while Dungourney survived an extraordinary extra-time battle with Aghabullogue. In the Intermediate A Hurling Championship, Aghada also secured their place in the last four after holding off a remarkable Mallow fightback.
Carrigaline 0-32 Cloyne 2-12
Carrigaline produced the standout scoring display of the day as they defeated Cloyne 0-32 to 2-12 at Páirc Uí Rinn.
The south-east side controlled the game from the opening stages, building an 0-8 to 0-3 lead after 13 minutes before taking an 11-point advantage into half-time.
Brian Kelleher led the way with 0-10, while Éanna Desmond was excellent from midfield, contributing six points from play. Oisín O’Connell and Rhys McCarthy also played their part as Carrigaline continued to find the target with regularity.
Carrigaline moved 0-23 to 0-9 clear by the three-quarter mark and looked set for a comfortable finish.
Cloyne battled to the end, with Brian O’Shea scoring two late goals, but Carrigaline had already built an unassailable lead.
The victory sends Carrigaline into the semi-finals, where they will meet Ballincollig.
Dungourney 3-26 Aghabullogue 3-25 AET
There was a dramatic finish at the end of a remarkable encounter between Dungourney and Aghabullogue, with Dungourney eventually prevailing by a single point after extra time.
Dungourney made a flying start, with Cillian O’Callaghan finding the net inside the opening minute. A second goal followed on 14 minutes as the east Cork side moved 2-6 to 0-4 ahead.
Aghabullogue responded through James Foley and James Lane, but Dungourney remained in front at half-time, leading 2-11 to 0-13.
Dungourney again moved eight points clear early in the second half, but Aghabullogue refused to surrender.
Matthew Bradley’s goal on 40 minutes sparked a remarkable comeback, with Shane Tarrant’s frees bringing the gap back to a single goal.
The game then swung dramatically. Dan Dineen found the net to level matters before James Lane put Aghabullogue ahead for the first time.
Dungourney responded through Jack Griffin, who finished to the net following excellent work from Jack Leahy. Shane Hegarty then put Dungourney a point ahead, but Tarrant’s late free sent the game to extra time at 3-19 apiece.
Aghabullogue led by two points at the change of ends in extra time, but John Ahern stepped up for Dungourney, landing two frees to level the contest.
Ahern then finished a fine move involving Dylan Healy and Seán Geaney to put Dungourney back in front. Despite late pressure from Aghabullogue, Dungourney held on to secure a dramatic one-point victory.
Dungourney now face Valley Rovers in the semi-final.
Aghada 3-23 Mallow 3-21
There was another remarkable comeback at Blarney in the Intermediate A Hurling Championship, where Aghada survived a huge second-half fightback from Mallow.
The sides were level at 0-4 apiece after 10 minutes, but Aghada gradually took control. Jamie O’Hanlon struck the opening goal before Charlie Terry added a second, leaving Aghada eight points clear at half-time, 2-12 to 0-10.
Aghada continued to dominate after the restart and moved 15 points ahead at 3-17 to 0-11 after 38 minutes.
Mallow then produced an extraordinary response.
Sean Hayes struck the first of Mallow’s three goals, with Daniel Sheehan adding another two minutes later. Hayes then found the net again as Mallow suddenly found themselves within touching distance.
The comeback looked complete when Mallow were awarded a penalty, but Aghada goalkeeper John Walsh produced a crucial save to deny Hayes.
Walsh was called into action again in stoppage time, making another important intervention as Aghada held on for a thrilling two-point victory.
William Leahy finished with 0-11 for Aghada, while Hayes contributed 2-5 for Mallow.
Aghada now advance to meet Sars in the semi-final, with Midleton and Bandon set to contest the other last-four tie.
Saturday’s Championship Picture
Saturday’s action produced three very different quarter-final stories — Carrigaline’s commanding point-scoring display, Dungourney’s extra-time survival and Aghada’s ability to withstand a remarkable Mallow comeback.
The semi-final line-up now includes:
Co-Op Superstores Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
- Carrigaline v Ballincollig
- Dungourney v Valley Rovers
Intermediate A Hurling Championship
- Aghada v Sars
- Midleton v Bandon
