Heartbreak for Ballinhassig in Munster Semi-Final

Heartbreak for Ballinhassig in Munster Semi-Final

 

Ballinhassig’s dream of provincial glory ended in disappointment at Semple Stadium as they fell to Tipperary champions Upperchurch Drombane, 2-14 to 0-17, in a tough AIB Munster Intermediate Hurling semi-final.

While the Cork champions showed immense grit and fought back to level the scores twice—first in the second quarter and again after the break—they ultimately paid the price for failing to convert opportunities into goals. The two crucial green flags raised by Upperchurch Drombane proved to be the difference.

Ballinhassig relied heavily on the accuracy of Ger Collins, who landed six frees, but the team’s relentless effort to breach the Upperchurch defence was thwarted time and again. The decisive second goal conceded with nine minutes remaining was a major blow.

Despite a spirited finish and a late scramble for a major, the necessary goal never materialised. While the defeat is a painful end to their club campaign, Ballinhassig can hold their heads high, having represented Cork with pride on the Munster stage. Their focus now turns to building on this successful county-winning season.

Scorers for Upperchurch Drombane: L Shanahan 0-5 (0-3 f), A Ryan 0-3, Pat Ryan 1-1 (0-1 sl), C Fahey 1-0, P Shanahan, G Ryan (f), P Greene, D Carew, P Phelan 0-1 each.

Ballinhassig: G Collins 0-6 f, S McCarthy, M Collins 0-2 each, P Collins (f), F O’Leary, E Cullinane, S O’Neill, D O’Sullivan, B Lynch, C Desmond 0-1 each.

UPPERCHURCH DROMBANE: C Shortt; M Lavery, K Ryan (c), D Carew; N Grant, G Ryan, T Corbett; D Grant, A Ryan; C Fahey, P Phelan, P Shanahan; Pat Ryan, P Greene, L Shanahan.

Subs: C Ryan for P Greene  , M Griffin for D Grant  , Paul Ryan for Pat Ryan  .

BALLINHASSIG: P Collins; D O’Donovan, K Maguiure, P O’Leary; J O’Callaghan, D O’Sullivan, E Lombard; C Grainger, C Desmond; E Cullinane, M Collins, S McCarthy; F O’Leary, G Collins (c), S Lombard.

Subs: J Lyne for J O’Callaghan (h-t), B Lynch for F O’Leary  , S O’Neill for E Cullinane  , G Kirby for M Collins  .

Referee: Seaghán Walsh (De La Salle)

Sarsfields’ Munster Dream Crushed by Ballygunner 

Sarsfields’ Munster Dream Crushed by Ballygunner

BALLYGUNNER 4-18 SARSFIELDS 2-17

Sarsfields’ brave run in the AIB Munster Club Senior Hurling Championship was brought to a decisive halt on Sunday afternoon as the Cork champions succumbed to the unstoppable force of Ballygunner , losing  4-18 to 2-17  at Azzurri Walsh Park.

Ballygunner quickly established a significant lead, built on a clinical first-half performance that included two goals from Dessie Hutchinson. At one stage, the deficit stretched to 14 points, making the task seem insurmountable.

However, Sarsfields showed immense character.  Daniel Hogan  sparked the Cork challenge with a magnificent individual goal just before the break, cutting the margin. He followed this up immediately after the restart with a second quick goal, narrowing the gap to just five points and truly making it ‘game on’.

Unfortunately, Ballygunner’s pedigree shone through. They immediately punished defensive lapses in the Sarsfields rear-guard with two devastating goals from **Patrick Fitzgerald** and **Kevin Mahony**. This clinical burst effectively killed the contest, restoring the substantial lead.

While Sarsfields fought bravely to the end, with  Colm McCarthy  (0-5) and  James Sweeney (0-4) registering scores, the final whistle confirmed the end of the provincial journey. Ballygunner marches on, while Sarsfields must regroup after a hard-fought battle.

Scorers for Ballygunner: Pauric Mahony 0-10 (0-9 frees, 0-1 65), Dessie Hutchinson 2-1, Patrick Fitzgerald 1-2 (0-1 free), Kevin Mahony 1-1, Mikey Mahony, Mark Hartley 0-2 each.

Scorers for Sarsfields: Daniel Hogan 2-3f (0-2 frees), Colm McCarthy 0-5 (0-3 frees), James Sweeney 0-4, Barry O’Flynn 0-2, Conor O’Sullivan, Luke Elliott, Ben Graham (0-1 free) 0-1 each.

BALLYGUNNER: Stephen O’Keeffe; Aaron O’Neill, Tadhg Foley, Ian Kenny; Harry Ruddle, Philip Mahony, Ronan Power; Conor Sheahan, Paddy Leavey; Pauric Mahony, Mikey Mahony, Peter Hogan; Kevin Mahony, Dessie Hutchinson, Patrick Fitzgerald. Subs: Mark Hartley for Pauric Mahony (49), Conor Tobin for Sheahan (54), Eoin O’Brien for Ronan Power, Eoin Cuddihy for Fitzgerald (both 60+1), Cormac Power for Kevin Mahony (60+4)

SARSFIELDS: Ben Graham; Conor O’Sullivan, Cillian Roche, Donal English; Luke Elliott, Craig Leahy, Bryan Murphy; Daniel Kearney, Killian Murphy; Jack O’Connor, Cian Darcy, Daniel Hogan; Barry O’Flynn, James Sweeney, Colm McCarthy. Subs: Eoghan Murphy for Roche (37), Ben Nodwell for Bryan Murphy (42), Shane O’Regan for Kearney (45), Luke Hackett for K Murphy (58).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Tipperary).

Munster SHC Semi-Final | Sarsfields meet Ballygunner

Munster Senior Hurling Club Championship Semi-Final

Sarsfields (Cork) v Ballygunner (Waterford)
Date: 16th November 2025
Venue: Walsh Park, Waterford
Throw-in: 1:15 PM

Sars travel to Waterford this Sunday for a huge Munster SHC Semi-Final clash against
Waterford champions Ballygunner. Best of luck to The Sars as they represent Cork in the Munster Championship


Buy Match Tickets

Munster Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final Ballinhassig v Upperchurch-Drombane (Tipperary)

Munster Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Ballinhassig  v Upperchurch-Drombane (Tipperary)
Date: 16th November 2025
Venue: Semple Stadium, Thurles
Throw-in: 1:15 PM

Ballinhassig make the trip to Thurles for a massive MIHC Semi-Final clash against
Tipperary champions Upperchurch-Drombane. Best of luck to the Blues as they represent
Cork in the Munster Championship.


Buy Match Tickets

St Finbarr’s Edge Clonmel Commercials in Thriller, Set for Semi-Final

St Finbarr’s Edge Clonmel Commercials in Thriller, Set for Semi-Final

St Finbarr’s advanced to the AIB Munster Club SFC semi-final after a dramatic 1-17 to 2-11 quarter-final victory over Tipperary champions Clonmel Commercials at Clonmel Sportsfield.

The Cork champions needed a strong finish to overcome a determined Commercials side. St Finbarr’s relied heavily on the scoring accuracy of **Steven Sherlock**, who delivered an outstanding **0-9** total, including several crucial frees that punished Clonmel’s indiscipline.

Commercials were resilient, finding the net through Cian Smith in the first half and then again through Seán O’Connor late in the second half, which gave the hosts a two-point lead with 14 minutes left. However, the Barrs’ midfield charge, led by William Buckley and captain Ian Maguire, proved decisive. A key late point from super-sub Cillian Myers-Murray and the final scores from Buckley and Maguire secured the narrow three-point victory for St Finbarr’s.

Final Score: St Finbarr’s 1-17, Clonmel Commercials 2-11.

🗓️ Munster Semi-Final Confirmed

Barr’s now look forward to a clash with the Clare champions. The details for the semi-final are as follows:

Match-Up Competition Date & Time Venue
Éire Óg Ennis (Clare) vs. St Finbarr’s  AIB Munster Club SFC Semi-Final Sunday, November 23rd @ 3:30 pm SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh