URHAN 5-14
NEWMARKET 3-12
COUNTY glory for Urhan U14s as they captured the Cork Division 3 title with a deserved win over Newmarket on the Bishopstown 4G pitch.
This is a team well used to the road: Clonakilty to Shamrocks, Castletownbere to Kilmichael, thousands of miles and countless sacrifices. All of it led to this moment. For a group of young footballers who have made a habit of winning, this was a fitting reward. Numbers were tight, just one sub on the bench, but the ability on show was immense.
ADVERTISEMENT
Conditions were tricky, with a swirling breeze and rain glistening under the lights, but the pitch was perfect. Urhan burst out of the blocks, tagging on early scores and building momentum from the back. Doire Murphy supplied quality ball into midfield, while Timothy O’Sullivan and James O’Driscoll drove the team forward with authority. A late first-half surge delivered a crucial cushion, leaving the Beara boys 12 points clear at the break. Up front, Sam Power and Michael O’Sullivan were ruthless, finishing with real conviction.
Newmarket, to their credit, came roaring back after the restart. Urhan’s defence had to stand tall, and they did, with Alfie Power, Ronan O’Sullivan, Tadhg O’Shea and Darragh O’Sullivan putting their bodies on the line. Aidan Sullivan produced a superb save before injury forced him off, prompting a reshuffle as Daniel O’Sullivan stepped into goal and Jamie O’Sullivan entered the fray.
The pressure intensified. With 15 minutes left, Urhan were reduced to 12 after a black card and then conceded a penalty. The gap was down to six, and Newmarket were surging. But Urhan refused to wilt. Their forwards struck vital insurance scores, steadying the ship just when needed.
Deep into injury time, the Beara side lost another player, but their resolve never cracked. When the final whistle sounded, Urhan were county champions.
The Urhan squad: Aidan Sullivan, Darragh O’Sullivan, Ronan O’Sullivan, Tadhg O’Shea, Alfie Power, James O’Donovan, Doire Murphy, Timothy O’Sullivan, James O’Driscoll, Sam Power, Michael O’Sullivan, Jack O’Neill, Daniel O’Sullivan, Jamie O’Sullivan, Colm O’Leary.
