Seven Finals Remaining at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh!

Championship Fever Continues: Seven Finals Remaining at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh!

The County Championships are heading toward a thrilling conclusion, and the atmosphere is set to reach fever pitch over the coming weekends at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Following three gripping hurling finals that saw Sarsfields claim the Co-Op Superstores Premier Senior Hurling Championship title over Midleton, Ballinhassig triumph in the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship against Ballincollig, and Kilbrittain survive a scare to win the Premier Junior Hurling Championship over Glen Rovers, only seven County finals across football and hurling now remain.

Weekend 1: Four Finals in Two Days

The first big weekend is a magnificent double-header on both days, featuring four finals across the junior, senior, and premier grades:

Date Time Competition Finalists Venue
Sat, Oct 25th 4:30 PM McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Junior Football Championship Buttevant v St. Nick’s SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Sat, Oct 25th 6:30 PM Co-Op Superstores Senior A Hurling Championship Bride Rovers v Castlelyons SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Sun, Oct 26th 1:30 PM McCarthy Insurance Group Senior A Football Championship Cill na Martra v Knocknagree SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Sun, Oct 26th 3:30 PM McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Senior Football Championship Nemo Rangers v St. Finbarr’s SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

The Sunday afternoon main event is a highly anticipated clash for the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Senior Football Championship between two giants of Cork football, Nemo Rangers and St. Finbarr’s. This traditional derby is not to be missed!

Weekend 2 & 3: Intermediate Deciders

The action continues into November with the Intermediate Football and Hurling finals:

Date Time Competition Finalists Venue
Sun, Nov 2nd 1:30 PM McCarthy Insurance Group Intermediate A Football Championship Ballinora v Ilen Rovers SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Sun, Nov 2nd 3:30 PM McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Intermediate Football Championship Aghabullogue v Uibh Laoire SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Sun, Nov 9th 3:00 PM Co-Op Superstores Intermediate A Hurling Championship Aghabullogue v Bandon SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Aghabullogue have a chance to secure a remarkable double, appearing in both the Premier Intermediate Football final and the Intermediate A Hurling final a week later. Please note that the Intermediate A Hurling final is scheduled for November 9th, but the alternative date of November 16th will be utilised only if required due to a fixture clash with the Munster Council schedule.

Cork SHC Final: Sars defeat Midleton

 

Cork SHC Final

Sarsfields 2-18 Midleton 1-14

By Stephen Barry at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

James Sweeney scored two goals as Munster champions Sarsfields regained the Cork Premier SHC title with a seven-point victory over Midleton.

The Glanmire side had lost the crown last year to divisional side Imokilly before embarking on a remarkable voyage to the All-Ireland final.

That made this success all the sweeter as Sars were always in control to collect the eighth title in their history.

Jack O’Connor’s five points steered them back to safety any time Midleton cut the gap to four. The county man was rewarded with the man of the match award.

This triumph was also tinged with emotion as Conor O’Sullivan’s acceptance speech dedicated the trophy to club great Ray Ryan, who passed away in February. Their Munster defence will begin away to the Limerick or Waterford champions next month.

Midleton were severely hampered by semi-final Achilles injuries sustained by joint-captain and free-taker Conor Lehane as well as influential full-back Eoin Moloney. They laboured for scores into the breeze, waiting almost 19 minutes for their first point, while dropping a handful of attempts short.

Sars weren’t much more free-flowing in a tepid start. Colm McCarthy converted the first of six first-half frees, but missed two more. After a poor Cian Darcy shot for goal was controlled by Bríon Saunderson, Barry O’Flynn tacked on their second point.

Midleton got a major boost in the 11th minute. Donal English’s handpass was swooped upon by Evan McGrath, and with goalkeeper Ben Graham leaving the goal vacated, the rookie rolled the sliotar into the net.

Sars hit back with the next 1-3. Two McCarthy frees and O’Connor’s opener were followed by the goal. Cillian Roche was out in front to win the sliotar, the jet-heeled Darcy skinned his marker before laying off for Sweeney to blast low to the net from 20 yards out. The favourites led 1-5 to 1-0.

Midleton got motoring with points from Cormac Beausang and Cormac Walsh, but Sars replied with three of their own through Killian Murphy and two more McCarthy placed balls.

In between, both sides forced the keepers into saves. Graham denied Patrick White’s lacklustre effort before the Sars counter ended with Saunderson blocking McCarthy’s drive.

Mikey Finn and McCarthy traded frees before O’Connor flicked a final goal chance of the half wide. His side led 1-9 to 1-3 at half-time.

McCarthy and O’Connor padded that lead out to eight before the Midleton resistance kicked in. Clare-native Killian McDermott pointed before a pair of placed balls from Finn. The latter followed Beausang’s fierce strike at goal, which Graham diverted around the post.

The Magpies came even closer moments later. Alex Quirke swept the ball past the keeper, only for captain O’Sullivan to whip it off the goalline.

Sars stabilised with points from McCarthy and Darcy, but another couple of missed frees from McCarthy and Daniel Hogan gave Midleton a lifeline. Finn’s brace and a White point trimmed the gap to four.

O’Connor had to stay patient through a couple of wides before landing a quickfire double.

When frees from Finn and Saunderson’s 120-yard missile cut the gap again, O’Connor popped up with the next score.

Beausang pointed, but Sars replied with interest through Hogan and Shane O’Regan.

Midleton went for goals late on as Luke O’Farrell flashed wide and Finn’s free was saved, but it was Sars who got the killer blow. Again, Roche played a part by sending the long ball to Sweeney, who turned inside to bounce home.

Scorers for Sarsfields: Colm McCarthy 0-8 (7fs), James Sweeney 2-0, Jack O’Connor 0-5, Daniel Hogan, Killian Murphy, Cian Darcy, Barry O’Flynn, Shane O’Regan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Midleton: Mikey Finn 0-7 (5fs, 1 65), Evan McGrath 1-0, Killian McDermott (1 65), Cormac Beausang 0-2 each, Bríon Saunderson (f), Cormac Walsh, Patrick White 0-1 each.

Sarsfields: Ben Graham; Conor O’Sullivan, Cillian Roche, Donal English; Craig Leahy, Bryan Murphy, Luke Elliott; Daniel Kearney, Killian Murphy; Cian Darcy, Jack O’Connor, Daniel Hogan; Barry O’Flynn, James Sweeney, Colm McCarthy.

Subs: Shane O’Regan for McCarthy (53), Bed Nodwell for O’Flynn (57), Eoghan Murphy for Elliott (60+1).

Midleton: Bríon Saunderson; Ciarmhac Smyth, Luke Dineen, Séadhnaidh Smyth; Tommy O’Connell, Tadhg O’Leary-Hayes, Ross O’Regan; Cormac Beausang, Mikey Finn; Cormac Walsh, Alex Quirke, Killian McDermott; Patrick White, David Cremin, Evan McGrath.

Subs: Luke O’Farrell for Cremin (41), Paul Connaughton for O’Regan (46), Seán O’Meara for Walsh (49), Killian Burke for O’Meara (57, inj), Paul Haughney for White (60).

Referee: C Lyons (Nemo Rangers).

 

Ballinhassig Secure Return to Senior Hurling After Premier IHC Final Victory

Ballinhassig Secure Return to Senior Hurling After Premier IHC Final Victory

 

Ballinhassig 2-22, Ballincollig 1-19

Ballinhassig secured the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier IHC title and their return to senior hurling after an impressive six-point victory over Ballincollig at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.

The final score mirrored the result of their opening-round encounter, reflecting Ballinhassig’s season-long consistency. The match was defined by a magnificent individual display from Ballinhassig captain Ger Collins, who finished with an outstanding tally of 1-11 and was named Co-Op Superstores man-of-the-match.

The contest was tight and evenly matched for the majority of the hour. Ballincollig, a youthful side, started confidently, registering the first three points via a Stephen Wills free, Theo Morgan, and Brian Keating. Wills proved to be Ballincollig’s star performer, accounting for 1-10 of their total.

Ballinhassig found their rhythm through two early Collins frees, and a well-worked point from Fintan O’Leary, followed by a long-range score from centre-back Darragh O’Sullivan, brought the deficit down to a single point. After the substitution of the injured corner-back Ciarán Kirby, Ballinhassig began to take control of the scoreboard, moving 0-9 to 0-6 ahead, with goalkeeper Patrick Collins landing a monster free.

Despite Ballincollig having two goal chances denied late in the half, Ballinhassig held a narrow advantage at the break, 0-11 to 0-10.

Ballinhassig accelerated immediately in the second half, boosted by the introduction of substitute Evan Cullinane, who scored three points. They outscored Ballincollig five points to two to build an early cushion. However, Ballincollig showed great tenacity to fight back, drawing level at 0-16 apiece thanks mainly to the unerring accuracy of free-taker Stephen Wills.

The match pivoted in the final quarter. In the 47th minute, Ballinhassig were awarded a penalty after Micheal Collins was fouled, which Ger Collins duly converted to raise the green flag. The title was effectively sealed five minutes from time when substitute Seán Lombard set up Conor Desmond for Ballinhassig’s second goal.

Stephen Wills converted a close-in free for a late Ballincollig goal, but it was too little, too late, as Ballinhassig comfortably saw out the six-point win.

Scorers

Scorers for Ballinhassig: G Collins (1-11, 1-0 pen, 0-7 frees, 0-2 65s), C Desmond (1-2), E Cullinane (0-3), P Collins (free), D O’Sullivan, M Collins, S McCarthy, S Lombard and F O’Leary (0-1 each).

Scorers for Ballincollig: S Wills (1-10, 1-7 frees), B Keating (0-5), S O’Neill (0-3), T Morgan (0-1).

Teams

BALLINHASSIG: P Collins; C Kirby, K Maguire, P O’Leary; J O’Callaghan, D O’Sullivan, C Desmond; C Grainger, E Lombard; J Grainger, S McCarthy, S O’Neill; M Collins, F O’Leary, G Collins (Capt). Subs: J Lyne, E Cullinane, D O’Donovan, S Lombard, A O’Sullivan.

BALLINCOLLIG: J Linehan; B Dore, F Denny, J Murray; B Coleman, D O’Sullivan, D O’Leary; T Morgan, T O’Connell; D O’Mahony, C O’Driscoll, S O’Neill; S Wills, B Keating, A Wills. Subs: J Dwyer, M Oldham, Cian Dorgan (Capt), C Dalton, P Morris.

Referee: Patrick O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).

Cork County Final Singer Lottie O’Driscoll Murray to Represent Ireland at Junior Eurovision

Congratulations to Lottie O’Driscoll Murray, a 14-year-old singer from Cork, who on Sunday was announced as the winner of the Irish selection for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

Lottie will now go on to represent Ireland at the competition in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Saturday, 13 December 2025, performing against entrants from 18 other countries.

We were delighted that Lottie sang Amhrán na bhFiann before the Co-Op Superstores Premier Senior Hurling Championship Final. The final was broadcast live on RTÉ2, where viewers across the country also saw Lottie perform the national anthem.

We wish her every success as she prepares to represent Ireland on the international stage.

Kilbrittain Hold Off Late Glen Rovers Scare to Claim Premier Junior Hurling Title

 

Kilbrittain 0-22, Glen Rovers 2-15

Kilbrittain are the Co-op Superstores Premier JHC champions following a hard-fought victory over Glen Rovers at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday night. The thrilling final was a battle from start to finish, with the narrowest of margins separating the sides, as a late Glen Rovers goal cut the deficit to the minimum just before the final whistle.

Kilbrittain started strongly, with Mark Hickey opening the scoring from a ’65 after his own early goal effort was saved. Hickey and Luke Griffin helped Kilbrittain to an early 0-6 to 0-1 lead after six minutes.

Glen Rovers, however, worked their way back into the game through scores from Shane Busteed, Conor Dorris, and Fiachra O’Driscoll. They took the lead for the first time in the 27th minute when Gearoid Mulcahy found the back of the net after a long free was batted down, making the score 1-7 to 0-9. Further points from Mulcahy and Dorris left Glen Rovers ahead at the break, 1-9 to 0-10.

A Point-for-Point Battle

The second half was a relentless point-for-point exchange. Hickey pointed a free and Philip Wall levelled the contest early on. The sides traded scores through Ronan Crowley and Mulcahy.

The crucial scores came from the accuracy of Mark Hickey, who converted a series of frees to push Kilbrittain back into the lead. Kilbrittain maintained a tight grip on the scoreboard, but Glen Rovers refused to yield, with Evan Murphy keeping them within touching distance.

In a poignant moment, Kilbrittain’s victory was secured on what would have been the birthday of clubman Oisín Gillain, whose memory was honoured throughout their campaign.

Despite Evan Murphy scoring a late goal from a free, it was too late for Glen Rovers. The final whistle sounded shortly after the restart, confirming Kilbrittain as champions by a score of 0-22 to 2-15.

Scorers

Scorers for Kilbrittain: M Hickey (0-9, 0-6 f), R Crowley (0-4, 0-1 f), P Wall (0-3), L Griffin, J O’Donovan (0-2 each), C Hogan, S Sexton (0-1 each).

Scorers for Glen Rovers: G Mulcahy, E Murphy (f) (1-3 each), C Dorris (0-4), S Busteed, F O’Driscoll, C Healy, A O’Sullivan, D Tynan (0-1 each).

Teams

KILBRITTAIN: D Desmond; D Considine, J Hurley, E O’Neill; A Holland, T Sheehan, C Sheehan; S Sexton, J O’Donovan; M Hickey, P Wall, R Crowley; C Hogan, L Griffin, B Butler. Subs: C Ustionowski, D Harrington, T Harrington.

GLEN ROVERS: B Heffernan; D Dunlea, G Marshall, Z Lynch; D Coughlan, D Noonan, A O’Sullivan; G Mulcahy, F O’Driscoll; G Kennefick, K McCarthy Coade, C Healy; C Dorris, E Murphy, S Busteed. Subs: D Tynan, J Corkery, E O’Sullivan, D Long, C O’Brien.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Valley Rovers).