Hurley torments Mathúnas

Cork senior sets up quarter-final against Kilmacabea

CASTLEHAVEN 1-18

DIARMUID Ó MATHÚNA 1-7

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

BRIAN Hurley inspired Castlehaven to victory over Diarmuid Ó’Mathúnas in round three of the Rowa/Rowex Pharma Carbery JAFC in Kealkil.

The Cork senior finished with 1-8 of his side’s winning total before being substituted in the second half. 

Hurley fed off Castlehaven’s fast delivery into the full-forward at the earliest opportunity and ensured the Union Hall-Castletownshend club’s progression courtesy of some terrific scores.

It wasn’t necessarily a one-man show with David McCarthy, Shane Nolan, Daniel Hegarty and Sean Cahalane also getting through a huge amount of work. 

Despite a gallant effort, Mathúnas over relied on Matthew Draper and Stephen Moore for scores and struggled to contain a lively Castlehaven attack.

Winning manager Batt Maguire was pleased with his team’s performance and immediately turned his thoughts towards a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with local rivals Kilmacabea.

‘It was an excellent performance and our panel remains strong even though we lost four from the last game against Barryroe,’ Maguire stated.

‘This game will bring Brian (Hurley) on and he played very well. In fairness to Mathúna’s, they never stopped trying but Brian is a top player and you’d expect him to score heavily at this level. 

‘As for Kilmacabea, they are a top class side and reigning champions. They have three of four players who previously worn the Cork jersey so it will be a great occasion and that’s what Cork football needs, more rivalry and more local derbies. 

‘Football should be all about having the craic and banter with your local rivals so it should be good fun this week.’

The game was barely a minute old when Diarmuid Ó Mathúna’s Stephen Moore burst through and fired into the net to hand the Castletownkenneigh club a shock lead. Castlehaven’s recovery was swift with Brian Hurley tormenting his opposing backline by floating over three points in as many minutes.

Stephen Hurley pushed the Haven 0-4 to 1-0 in front courtesy of a marvellous point before Sean Cahalane’s accurate delivery found Brian Hurley who promptly finished to the net.

Matthew Draper converted three frees before the half time break but by then, Castlehaven had accumulated 1-13, Brian Hurley (three), Sean Cahalane, Daniel Hegarty and James Davis finding their range.

To their credit, Diarmuid Ó Mathúna’s tightened up in the second half with Stephen Moore kicking two early points. Shane Nolan raised a white flag prior to Brendan Deasy making a point-blank save to prevent Mathúna’s from scoring a second goal.

Castlehaven had the luxury of making a triple-substitution with a quarter of the game remaining and also calling Brian Hurley ashore. The Haven eased to victory with four late points but will not have things as easy against Kilmacabea next time out.

Scorers 

Castlehaven: Brian Hurley 1-8, Sean Cahalane (2f), Shane Nolan (0-3 each), Stephen Hurley, Daniel Hegarty, James Davis, David McCarthy (0-1 each).

Diarmuid Ó Mathúna: Stephen Moore (1-2), Matthew Draper (0-4, 3f), Ted Lordan (0-1).

Castlehaven: Brendan Deasy; Liam Browne, Tomás O’Leary, James Walsh; James Davis, David McCarthy, Daniel O’Mahony; Rory Maguire, Mike Dineen; Alan Cahalane, Sean Cahalane, Daniel Hegarty; Stephen Hurley (captain), Brian Hurley, Shane Nolan.

Subs: Patrick Bohane for S Hurley (45), Kevin O’Donovan for L Bohane (45), Stephen Collins for D Hegarty (45), Kieran Hegarty for B Hurley (49), Colin O’Driscoll for A Cahalane (58).

Diarmuid Ó Mathúna: Gavin O’Leary, Cathal Mangan, Aidan Collins, Sean Buttimer; John Crowley, Gearoid O’Donovan, Barry Lordan; Ted Lordan, Patrick Crowley; Gavin Aherne, Michael Barrett (captain), Stephen Moore; Jack O’Callaghan, Matthew Draper, Kevin O’Donovan.

Subs: Alan O’Sullivan for G O’Donovan (ht, inj), Jamie Lucey for M Barrett (41), Jeremiah Hurley for S Moore (52, inj), Brendan Nyhan for P Crowley (56).

Referee: Tommy Barry (Bantry Blues).