What’s new – Page 9

Opening weekend in RedFM leagues take place

The Red FM Hurling Leagues began with a full programme of fixtures, producing a wide range of results across all divisions. In Division 1, Glen Rovers defeated Sarsfields 1-21 to 0-20, Midleton overcame Fr O’Neills 0-21 to 0-15, Douglas recorded a 4-26 to 0-18 win over Killeagh, and St Finbarr’s finished ahead of Blackrock 0-22 to 1-18.

Division 2 saw Kanturk begin strongly with a 3-22 to 1-11 result against Carrigaline, Ballincollig won 2-23 to 0-12 against Ballymartle, Bride Rovers edged Valley Rovers 1-17 to 1-16, and Newcestown defeated Na Piarsaigh 0-19 to 0-15.

In Division 3, Inniscarra beat Russell Rovers 0-21 to 1-14, Eire Óg won 0-24 to 0-10 against Castlelyons, Blarney secured a 2-16 to 0-17 victory over Fermoy, and Ballinhassig defeated Courcey Rovers 1-22 to 0-19.

Division 4 opened with Ballyhea beating Kildorrery 1-14 to 1-10, Watergrasshill winning 1-17 to 1-14 against St Catherines, Aghabullogue producing a 3-26 to 0-16 result over Cloughduv, while Mallow and Bishopstown finished level at 1-19 to 0-19.

In Division 5, Kilbrittain overcame Midleton 2-18 to 0-19, Cloyne recorded a 3-22 to 1-14 win over Glen Rovers, Milford defeated Ballygarvan 3-15 to 0-20, and Castlemartyr narrowly beat Tracton 1-10 to 0-14.

Division 6 included Killavullen’s 3-17 to 1-17 win against Sarsfields, Ballygiblin’s 1-14 to 0-8 victory over Erins Own, Kinsale’s 2-21 to 1-16 win against Mayfield, Aghada’s 4-19 to 3-14 result against Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas, and Argideen Rangers’ 1-12 to 0-15 win over Ballinascarthy.

In Division 7, Na Piarsaigh defeated Passage West 0-18 to 2-12, Barryroe recorded a 1-25 to 0-14 result against Killeagh, and Kilshannig opened their campaign with a 1-22 to 1-13 win over Meelin.

These results provide the first outline of form across all divisions as the 2026 Red FM Hurling Leagues get underway.

06/03/2026
Red FM Division 1 HL
Sarsfields	0-20	Glen Rovers	1-21

07/03/2026
Red FM Division 4 HL
Ballyhea	1-14	Kildorrery	1-10
Red FM Division 5 HL
Kilbrittain	2-18	Midleton	0-19
Glen Rovers	1-14	Cloyne	3-22
Red FM Division 6 HL
Sarsfields	1-17	Killavullen	3-17
Ballygiblin	1-14	Erins Own	0-8
Kinsale	2-21	Mayfield	1-16
Aghada	4-19	Diarmuid O Mathunas	3-14
Red FM Division 7 HL
Passage West	2-12	Na Piarsaigh	0-18
Killeagh	0-14	Barryroe	1-25

08/03/2026
Red FM Division 1 HL
Midleton	0-21	Fr O Neills	0-15
Killeagh	0-18	Douglas	4-26
St Finbarrs	0-22	Blackrock	1-18
Red FM Division 2 HL
Kanturk	3-22	Carrigaline	1-11
Ballymartle	0-12	Ballincollig	2-23
Bride Rovers	1-17	Valley Rovers	1-16
Na Piarsaigh	0-15	Newcestown	0-19
Red FM Division 3 HL
Inniscarra	0-21	Russell Rovers	1-14
Eire Og	0-24	Castlelyons	0-10
Fermoy	0-17	Blarney	2-16
Courcey Rovers	0-19	Ballinhassig	1-22
Red FM Division 4 HL
St Catherines	1-14	Watergrasshill	1-17
Cloughduv	0-16	Aghabullogue	3-26
Mallow	0-19	Bishopstown	1-19
Red FM Division 5 HL
Tracton	0-14	Castlemartyr	1-10
Milford	3-15	Ballygarvan	0-20
Red FM Division 6 HL
Ballinascarthy	0-15	Argideen Rangers	1-12
Red FM Division 7 HL
Kilshannig	1-22	Meelin	1-13

Cork lose in Allianz Hurling League Division

Allianz Hurling League Division 1ALimerick 3-19 Cork 0-20

By Tom Clancy at TUS Gaelic Grounds

Limerick made it four consecutive victories in Division 1A of the Allianz National Hurling League as Cork suffered a first defeat of the campaign.

Second half goals from Cathal O’Neill and Aidan O’Connor helped the Treaty pull clear of Ben O’Connor’s outfit, after a closely fought opening period at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

A positive result in round six would book a rematch of these sides in the divisional final in early April.

After an early point from Tommy O’Connell, Limerick hit the front courtesy of a goal from Shane O’Brien. Collecting a delivery from Kyle Hayes, the Kilmallock man bulldozed his way through the cover before powering low to the net after 80 seconds.

O’Connell struck back and indeed, so too Cork, who registered the first six white flags. Brian Hayes and Shane Barrett were also on target before a double from Barry Walsh, the rising Killeagh star.

Eventually Aidan O’Connor would convert a free, one of six the Ballybrown man would arrow over in a high-octane opening half.

Limerick slow ground their way into the lead, with Cathal O’Neill, O’Connor and then Adam English all pointing – though there was little between the teams for much of this contest.

The sides would be level three times in the opening half before O’Connor’s stoppage time free nudged John Kiely’s men ahead. Alan Walsh had briefly restored parity, with the Kanturk attacker the sixth Rebel forward to register a point.

The early going in the second half was tight, with O’Mahony and Hayes (two) both on target for Cork, while at the other end, Adam English and O’Connor with a first from play keep the green jerseys ahead.

The crucial goal, from O’Neill arrived on 59 minutes. Set free by captain Cian Lynch, he took the ball wide before unleashing across Patrick Collins for two goals in as many weeks.

There was a penalty soon conceded by Seán O’Donoghue for a foul on Aaron Gillane. This allowed O’Connor add a goal to his tally – he would eventually bring his total to 1-11.

There was late scores for Hugh Flanagan and Tom Morrissey, both in from the bench, while Cork hit the final three scores to bring their tally to 20 .

These sides will clash again on April 26 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the second round of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, and a first championship tie for Limerick.

Scorers for Limerick: Aidan O’Connor 1-11 (1-0 pen, 7fs); Cathal O’Neill 1-2; Shane O’Brien 1-0; Adam English 0-2; Aaron Gillane, Cian Lynch, Hugh Flanagan, Tom Morrissey 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Tim O’Mahony 0-7 (5fs, 1 65); Brian Hayes, Tommy O’Connell 0-3 each; Barry Walsh, Shane Barrett 0-2; Shane Kingston, Alan Walsh, Eoin Downey 0-1 each.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Seán Finn, Mike Casey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, William O’Donoghue, Kyle Hayes; Adam English, Cian Lynch; Gearoid Hegarty, Aidan O’Connor, Cathal O’Neill; Aaron Gillane, Shane O’Brien, David Reidy.

Subs: Colin Coughlan for Hayes (temp 11 – 12); Tom Morrissey for Hegarty (51); Hugh Flanagan for Reidy (57); Darragh Langan for Finn (60); Donnacha Ó Dálaigh for O’Brien (65); Oisin O’Farrell for Gillane (66).

Cork: Patrick Collins; Eoin Roche, Dáire O’Leary, Ger Millerick; Ethan Twomey, Eoin Downey, Micheál Mullins; Ciarán Joyce, Tommy O’Connell; Barry Walsh, Tim O’Mahony (C), Shane O’Kingston; Alan Walsh, Brian Hayes, Shane Barrett.

Subs: Seamus Harnedy for Kingston (40); Niall O’Leary for Roche (47); Cormac O’Brien for Mullins (54); Sean O’Donoghue for D. O’Leary (60); Declan Dalton for A. Walsh (65).

Referee: Sean Stack (Dublin).

Launch of Red FM Cork County Hurling Leagues 2026

Cork GAA is delighted to welcome the commencement of the 2026 county hurling leagues, sponsored by Red FM. To mark the launch, representatives of Cork GAA and Red FM, and representatives from the seven clubs who won their respective leagues in 2025, gathered in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday 7 February 2026, before the Cork v Tipperary league game.

The Red FM County Leagues will commence in this weekend, 6-8 March. Looking forward to the new season of competition, Red FM Sales Director Gráinne Murnane said, “We at Red FM are once again delighted this year to support the Cork club hurling leagues. Red FM is looking forward to the new season and to getting behind our clubs and communities as we commence the leagues and prepare for the championships.”

Cork GAA Chairperson, Pat Horgan, said, “I wish to acknowledge the commitment and support of Red FM for our club hurling leagues. Red FM have shown strong commitment to Cork hurling by their support, and we are grateful for it. We are proud to be associated with a brand that is very much a part of Cork, and its clubs and communities.”

Kevin O’Donovan, CEO/Secretary of Cork GAA noted that, “Our county leagues in hurling and football are structured across seven divisions, which allow for very competitive games and allow for teams from all parts of the county to meet and strive for promotion and league success. We look forward to a new season of competition, which will whet the appetite for the championships to come later in the year.”

Cork GAA and Red FM wish all our teams every success in this year’s league competitions, and look forward to what we hope will be a memorable season of hurling across the city and county in 2026.

The players pictured are:
• Killian Murphy (Sarsfields)
• David Barry (Bride Rovers)
• Robbie Lucey (Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas)
• James Lane (Aghabullogue)
• Mickey Finn (Midleton)
• Joe Enright (Inniscarra)
• Lee Quilligan (Glen Rovers)

Saturday 07th March 2026

Red FM Division 4 HL

Ballyhea v Kildorrery, Ballyhea, 3:00pm

Red FM Division 5 HL

Kilbrittain v Midleton, Kilbrittain, 3:00pm

Glen Rovers v Cloyne, Glen Rovers, 3:00pm

Youghal v Dungourney, Club Áras, Youghal, 4:00pm

Red FM Division 6 HL

Sarsfields v Killavullen, Riverstown, 12:00pm

Ballygiblin v Erins Own, Caherlag, 3:00pm

Kinsale v Mayfield, Dunderrow, 4:00pm

Aghada v Diarmuid O Mathunas, Rostellen, 4:00pm

Red FM Division 7 HL

Passage West v Na Piarsaigh, MTU (CIT), 2:00pm

Douglas v Ballinora, Douglas, 3:00pm

Killeagh v Barryroe, Killeagh, 3:00pm

Sunday 08th March 2026

Red FM Division 1 HL

Midleton v Fr O Neills, Park South, Midleton, 11:30am

Killeagh v Douglas, Killeagh, 11:30am

Charleville v Carrigtwohill, Charleville, 11:30am

St Finbarrs v Blackrock, Togher, 11:30am

Red FM Division 2 HL

Kanturk v Carrigaline, Kanturk, 11:30am

Ballymartle v Ballincollig, Ballymartle, 11:30am

Bride Rovers v Valley Rovers, Rathcormac, 12:00pm

Na Piarsaigh v Newcestown, Na Piarsaigh, 12:30pm

Red FM Division 3 HL

Inniscarra v Russell Rovers, Ballyanley, 11:30am

Eire Og v Castlelyons, Ovens, 11:30am

Fermoy v Blarney, Fermoy, 11:30am

Courcey Rovers v Ballinhassig, Ballinspittle, 11:30am

Red FM Division 4 HL

St Catherines v Watergrasshill, Ballynoe, 11:30am

Cloughduv v Aghabullogue, Cloughduv, 11:30am

Mallow v Bishopstown, Mallow, 11:30am

Red FM Division 5 HL

Tracton v Castlemartyr, Minane Bridge, 11:30am

Milford v Ballygarvan, Milford, 11:30am

Red FM Division 6 HL

Ballinascarthy v Argideen Rangers, Ballinascarthy, 11:30am

Red FM Division 7 HL

Kilshannig v Meelin, Kilshannig, 11:30am

Monday 09th March 2026

Red FM Division 3 HL

Lisgoold v Bandon, Cloughduv, 8:00pm

Tuesday 10th March 2026

Red FM Division 4 HL

Blackrock v Kilworth, Church Road, 8:00pm

Cork minors set for Leinster Development League final showdown with Louth

The Cork Minor Footballers will meet Louth in the Final of the Leinster Development League this Saturday, as they look to cap an impressive campaign with silverware.

Cork have been in excellent form throughout the group stages, recording three wins from three to book their place in the decider. Their consistency, work rate, and attacking style have been key features of their run, and they will aim to carry that momentum into the final.

Louth join Cork in the showpiece after a strong campaign of their own, setting up what promises to be a highly competitive and entertaining clash between two well-drilled minor sides.

Event details

Competition: Leinster Minor Football League Final

Fixture: Cork vs Louth

Date: Saturday

Time: 12.30pm

Venue: SETU Carlow