Kilshannig 1-23 St Catherine’s 2-19

Kilshannig produced a superb late comeback to defeat St Catherine’s by a point and claim the Co-Op SuperStores Premier Junior Hurling Championship title at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday night.

The Avondhu side, who won the County Junior A Hurling Championship last year, made it back-to-back county titles after overturning a seven-point half-time deficit and trailing by six with 15 minutes remaining.

St Catherine’s looked well placed to secure the silverware after a strong second quarter, but Kilshannig finished in outstanding fashion to complete a memorable victory.

It was an even opening, with Paddy Walsh finding his range early for Kilshannig as the sides traded scores. Kilshannig briefly moved ahead through points from Colin Ruby and Jack Twomey, but St Catherine’s responded through Gearóid O’Brien, Matthew Mulcahy and Daniel Mangan.

The Imokilly side gradually took control, with Kian O’Donoghue and Brian Mulcahy influential as they built a three-point advantage. Their lead increased significantly just before the break when a dropping effort from Matthew Mulcahy deceived Kilshannig goalkeeper David Kearney and ended in the net.

That left St Catherine’s seven points clear at half-time, leading by 1-12 to 0-8.

Kilshannig needed a strong response after the restart and began to find their rhythm through the efforts of Jack Twomey, Kieran Twomey and Colm O’Shea. A superb long-range point from O’Shea helped reduce the gap, but St Catherine’s continued to find scores and held a six-point advantage with 15 minutes remaining.

The introduction of Éanna O’Hanlon proved a key turning point as Kilshannig began to close in on their opponents. Points from O’Hanlon, Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Tom Cunningham cut the deficit, before the comeback gathered further momentum.

With five minutes remaining, O’Hanlon set up Diarmuid O’Sullivan for a crucial goal to bring the sides level. Colin Ruby then put Kilshannig ahead, only for substitute John Temple to equalise for St Catherine’s.

Kilshannig, however, seized control when it mattered most, hitting four points in succession to put themselves firmly in the driving seat and move towards the title.

St Catherine’s did find a late goal through Seán O’Donoghue to reduce the margin to a single point, but Kilshannig held on to secure a remarkable victory and celebrate a second consecutive county championship.

For St Catherine’s, it was another heartbreaking final defeat, having also lost the deciders in 2023 and 2024.

Scorers

Kilshannig: Kieran Twomey 0-7 (0-4 frees), Diarmuid O’Sullivan 1-2, Paddy Walsh 0-4 (0-1 free), Jack Twomey 0-3, Colin Ruby 0-3, Colm O’Shea 0-1, Éanna O’Hanlon 0-1, Tom Cunningham 0-1, Kian Smith 0-1.

St Catherine’s: Daniel Mangan 0-6 (0-5 frees), Matthew Mulcahy 1-1, Gearóid O’Brien 0-4, Seán O’Donoghue 1-0, Kian O’Donoghue 0-2, E. Davis 0-1 (free), C. Leamy 0-1, D. O’Connell 0-1, J. Neville 0-1, J. Temple 0-1, B. Mulcahy 0-1.

Referee: Niall Hayes (Blarney).

Cork GAA is pleased to confirm that Gavin Gallagher of Castlehaven will join John Cleary’s Cork senior football management team as coach/selector for the forthcoming season, subject to ratification at the next meeting of Cork County Committee in November.

In further changes, Terry O’Brien of Mallow will join the backroom team as goalkeeping coach, and Dylan Byrne of St Finbarr’s will join the strength and conditioning team. We wish Gavin, Terry and Dylan well in their new roles.

As they leave their roles, we also extend our sincere thanks to Kevin Murray, Paddy O’Shea and Cian Sisk for their significant contribution to the team, and wish them well in their future endeavours.