There is very little certain about the outcome of Division 1 of the Red FM Cork SHL after the penultimate weekend’s action with four teams fighting for a place in the final.
Charleville led the pack going into the weekend, and when they played fellow competitors, Blackrock, in Church Road on Sunday morning, they had a chance to secure their place in the decider. However, it was the home side who came out on top as they recorded a 1-21 to 2-13 victory. The Rockies were on top from the start and led by 0-11 to 0-6 before a Tim Hawe goal and a Killian Cagney point left the minimum between them at the interval. Blackrock kept tacking on the points – Robbie Cotter hit 0-7 over the hour, and Kevin O’Keeffe 0-5 - and they led by 0-20 to 1-10 when a goal from Tadhg Deasy but the result beyond doubt, despite a late penalty from Cian Collins.
Charleville remain on top however, one point clear of Blackrock and Sarsfields, with a home game against Carrigtwohill to come. Sars are in second spot because of their head-to-head record against the Rockies and because of their 3-21 to 1-12 win over Fr O’Neill’s. Daniel Hogan was the Riverstown outfit’s top scorer with 1-6, James Sweeney hit 1-3 and Ben Nodwell 1-2 while Cian Darcy clipped 0-3 from midfield. Conor O’Neill hit 1-2 for O’Neill’s and Kevin O’Sullivan 0-8. Sars will welcome Ballinciollig to Ballinacurra in the final round with their destiny in their own hands.
The big movers were Glen Rovers, who registered two wins in a week to give them an outside chance of making the final if they beat Douglas in their final game. On Tuesday they dented the Rockies hopes by defeating them by 3-18 to 2-16 in the Glen Field. Evan Murphy did most of the damage for the hosts, hitting 1-10 while both Simon Kennefick and Lee Quilligan struck for 1-1 and Dean Brosnan clipped over 0-4. Fionn Coleman scored 2-2 for Blackrock while Ryan Sweeney registered 0-5 and PJ Lenihan contributed 0-3.
The Glen followed up with a 2-16 to 0-16 win away to Carrigtwohill on Friday evening. Dean Brosnan was their scorer in chief this time with 1-4 while Murphy clipped over 0-6 and Kennefick struck for 1-3. For Carrigtwohill, who were already assured of Division 1 hurling next year, Luke Kelly O’Regan hit 0-5 while the Hogan brothers, Pádraic and Tomás, both scored 0-3.
At the other end of the table Kanturk are in control of their future after they defeated Douglas by 1-24 to 0-18. Once again Brian O’Sullivan was their talisman, as he contributed 0-11 while Daniel O’Connell scored 1-3 and Aidan and Colin Walsh combined for 0-7. For Douglas, Cillian O’Donovan clipped 1-2, Cian Baldwin hit 0-6 and Andy O’Connell scored 0-4.
Na Piarsaigh gave themselves a slim chance of survival by beating fellow strugglers, Ballincollig, by 3-19 to 1-15 on Thursday. Ross O’Sullivan scored 0-7 for the northsdiers, while Shane Forde, Owen Galvin and Patrick Rourke struck for the goals. Pierce Morris was best in hitting 1-7 for Ballincollig as two from them, Na Piarsaigh and Kanturk will fall through the trapdoor in a fortnight. Kanturk are two points clear of their rivals for now, and any type of positive result against Fr O’Neill’s will keep them safe.
In Division 2 Carrigaline tightened their grip on second spot after they recorded an impressive 2-22 to 1-20 win over St Finbarr’s on Thursday. As ever, Brian Kelleher was their main man as he hit 0-13. Kevin O’Reilly struck for 2-2, and Dan Greene scored 0-3. It leaves them one point behind leaders Midleton, who also have a game in hand, and one clear of the Barr’s going into the final round. Ben Cunningham scored 0-9 for the Barr’s, 5 of which were from play, and Kevin O’Flynn hit 1-2. They must beat Midleton in their final game to give themselves a chance of promotion and hope that Éire Óg can do them a favour against Carrigaline.
The rest of the action revolved around teams trying to secure their status for next season. Erin’s Own did so by registering their third win on the trot after they defeated Bride Rovers by 4-17 to 0-18, Cian O’Callaghan, Mossie O’Carroll, Stephen Horgan and Cork’s Robbie O’Flynn all with 1-1 each.
Killeagh also ensured their safety, beating Fermoy by 1-21 to 0-19. Richie Long with 0-9, and Sean Walsh and Ryan McCarthy with 0-4 each raised the bulk of their white flags while Dinny Walsh struck for the all-important goal. Dave Lardner hit 0-13 for Fermoy, and Jake Carr clipped 0-2 and they will need to beat Courcey Rovers next time out to keep their place in Division 2.
Courceys will need something from that game themselves despite beating Éire Óg by 1-17 to 1-12. The Ovens outfit have enjoyed a fine campaign after last year’s promotion and here Eoin O’Shea scored 0-10, Oisín O’Shea clipped 0-2 and Darragh Coakley struck for the goal.
Newtownshandrum are also in the midst of the relegation battle, but they do have a game in hand to come against Midleton.
