BALLINASCARTHY began the defence of their RCM Tarmacadam Carbery junior A hurling championship title with a comprehensive 2-21 to 0-9 win over Kilbrittain in inclement conditions.
Bal started this Roinn 3 clash well and Eoin O’Driscoll goaled to give them a 1-4 to 0-2 lead on 20 minutes. Bal led 1-8 to 0-3 at the short whistle and the holders hit a second goal on 40 minutes as Brian O’Donovan played in Connall Cullinane to finish.
Top scorers for JC O’Flynn’s team were Cullinane (1-5), O’Driscoll (1-2) and Colm O’Brien (0-4). Others to chip in were O’Donovan, Luke Murray, Ciarán O’Neill (0-2 each), Ciarán Nyhan, Jeremy Ryan (65), Timmy Cullinane and Cian Ryan (0-1 each).
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Keith Hunt led the way for Kilbrittain’s seconds with 0-6 (5f) while Patrick O’Mahony (0-2f) and Mark O’Shea were also on target.
Elsewhere in the group, Dohneys beat a battling St Colum’s 1-17 to 0-15 in Bantry. The Dunmanway club did the ground work in the opening half as Euan Lehane struck the net while former Cork footballer Fionn Herlihy was also moving well.
With the score 1-10 to 0-7 at the break, St Colum’s gave it a good go in the second period but they had too much to do.
For the victors, Lehane (1-7, 6f) and Herlihy (0-4) finished as top scorers, while Jerry Collins, Paudie Crowley, Declan Collins, Nathan McCarthy (sideline), Chris Cronin and Kieran Forbes (0-1 each) rounded off their tally.
The next round sees Bal face St Colum’s in Dunmanway on Saturday, August 22nd. Dohenys take on Kilbrittain in Enniskeane on Friday, August 21st.
Ballinascarthy's Cian Ryan tries to get around Kilbrittain's Gavin Kenny. (Photo: Paddy Feen)
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In Roinn 1, 2025 Carbery finalists Kilbree are off the mark following a 0-20 to 0-14 victory over St James in Skibbereen. Cillian Twohig put in a starring display for the Super Blues with 0-6 from play.
Jim Shanahan was consistent on free-taking duty with 0-8 while Darragh Coakley (0-2), Joseph O’Donovan, Gearóid McCarthy, Brian Deasy and Cian Murphy (0-1 each) chipped in too.
A Darren O’Donovan last-gasp free won it for St Mary’s over Newcestown’s seconds in the other group game, 1-16 to 1-15 in Ballincarriga.
The sides were deadlocked at the break at 1-7 apiece but the Ballineen and Enniskeane club found that extra gear to edge this contest.
For Mary’s, Jason Collins top scored with 1-3 (3f) while Jack Eady (0-5, 4f), Olan Corcoran (0-4), O’Donovan (0-3, 1f) and Jack Hurley (0-1) were also on target.
Ciaran Hurley led the way for Newcestown with 0-10 (8f) while Flor Kenneally split the posts too.
The two winners in round one hope to seal a place in the knockout stage on Sunday, August 23rd when Kilbree face St Mary’s in Ahiohill. On the same day, Newcestown and St James look to save their season when they clash in Newcestown.
Kilbrittain junior A hurling team manager Cian O'Leary. (Photo: Paddy Feen)
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In Roinn 2, Bandon’s second string produced a surprise result in seeing off 2024 champions Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas 2-15 to 0-15 in Clonakilty.
The Lilywhites were 1-9 to 0-7 up at half-time and held on to claim a notable win.
The goals came from Ronan Ahern (1-2) and Rory Fogarty (1-1). Others on the scoresheet included Sean Ahern (0-4, 1f), Michael O’Donovan (0-4f), Harry Lillis, Ben Donegan (fs) (0-2 each) and Timmy McCarthy (0-1).
Bandon’s next game is against Randal Óg on Friday, August 21st in Newcestown while Mathúnas are now under massive pressure as they face Clonakilty on Saturday, August 22nd in Kilbrittain.
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The RCM Tarmacadam Carbery junior B hurling championship got underway with victories for Gabriel Rangers, Kilbree’s seconds and St Oliver Plunkett’s.
In a battle between two first teams, Gabriel Rangers came out on top over O’Donovan Rossa in Aughaville, 2-14 to 1-13.
Gabriels led 1-8 to 0-7 at half-time as Mark Brosnan found the net. Keith O’Driscoll recorded the second goal to wrap the game up. Other key scorers for the victors were Tadhg McCarthy, Luke Nolan and Eric O’Brien.
Kilbree were comfortable 1-26 to 0-18 winners over Bantry Blues in Skibbereen, in a game where the second string led 1-3 to 0-11 at the break.
Plunkett’s beat Barryroe’s seconds 1-20 to 1-11 in Ballinacarriga
The next round of games see Barryroe take on O’Donovan Rossa in Ardfield on Friday, August 21st, Plunkett’s face Bantry in Skibbereen on Saturday, August 22nd while Gabriels’ next game is against Ballinascarthy in Leap on August 23rd.
