REIGNING CHAMPIONS SARSFIELDS booked a direct passage to the premier senior hurling semi-final stage in Cork this afternoon.
In the final round of group games, Midleton, Newtownshandrum and Kanturk secured quarter-final spots, alongside the already qualified Blackrock, Fr O’Neills and divisional team Imokilly.
Sarsfields saw off Bishopstown by 1-25 to 0-12 with Cathal McCarthy grabbing the only goal of the game.
Conor Lehane starred with a tally of 0-14 as last year’s finalists Midleton advanced from the group stages, 0-23 to 1-17 victors over an Erins Own team who bowed out, despite Cork senior Robbie O’Flynn striking 0-9.
Midleton will play Newtownshandrum in the quarter-final, goals from Conor Griffin and Ronan Geary helping the North Cork men triumph 2-17 to 0-19 against Douglas today, who saw county player Shane Kingston contribute 0-8.
Blackrock defeated Fr O’Neills 3-18 to 1-19 to bag top spot in their group, Alan Connolly scoring 1-7 for the winners, while Declan Dalton hit 1-10 for his defeated team. The other group game resulted in Kanturk seeing off Charleville 4-20 to 3-21.
Those results mean Blackrock and Kanturk will face off at the quarter-final stage, while Fr O’Neills will meet Imokilly. The relegation playoff at the top grade of Cork hurling will be contested by Charleville and Bishopstown.
Meanwhile in Clare, Cratloe were the big winners in advancing to the senior hurling quarter-finals today as Conor McGrath’s last-gasp point sealed a 1-20 to 1-17 success over Kilmaley. That three-point success enabled them to advance on scoring difference, along with group winners Feakle.
In Group 3, Scarriff saw off O’Callaghan Mills today 1-19 to 1-17, while Inagh-Kilnamona were too strong for Broadford, winning 4-19 to 0-16.
Yesterday, title holders Clonlara impressed as they defeated Clooney Quin 3-26 to 2-17. Éire Óg Ennis topped that group as Ballyea, champions recently in 2021 and 2022, exit the competition. Friday night’s action saw Crusheen and Sixmilebridge advance from Group 4.
The senior hurling quarter-final draw in the home of the All-Ireland champions will take place tomorrow evening:
Clare SHC quarter-finalists: Éire Óg Ennis, Clonlara, Feakle, Cratloe, Scarriff, Inagh-Kilnamona, Crusheen, Sixmilebridge.
– Updated 7.39pm: An earlier version of this article incorrectly listed O’Callaghan Mills as a Clare SHC quarter-finalist, and omitted Inagh-Kilnamona.
It was a cracking 40 alright. The improvement in accuracy vs their form in last couple of games was amazing. Thought young Coughlan brought a great tempo to the game and the backrow response to it was a delight to watch.
It was a very very good 40 ,
We have struggled to out teams away and points in the right direction
Diarmaid Kilgallon was on fire, particularly in the first half. Many thanks to Dian Bleuler who was outstanding for every game.
Strange going for a 6-2 split against the Dragons.
@Fagin Strauss: have we any other backs that were actually fit to go on the bench?
@Fagin Strauss: Shows how important a game it was imo. Going into any game you cant prepare for cr€pness.
@Thesaltyurchin: completely agree ,
This game had the potential to be a rough night
Against the worst team in the league. Then lost the second half 19-7. Take the points and move on but not a good 80 overall
@adizlack93: Nobody said the 80 was good but there is more context to the 2nd half.
@adizlack93: praise be the oracle has spoketh
@adizlack93: with a backrower in the centre, another backrower on the wing, a winger in the centre, and an academy hooker at blindside flanker. And they damn near got another score right at the end. Calm down.
Burns was excellent. Munster look much better with him at 10.
@Justin Robinson: Was average imo, some sloppy passes at crucial times, looks tired after 20, glorious open kicking tho, talk of Flannery coming back but after tonights game I’d keep Billy just where he is lol! If Tony B isn’t going to grab it Munster need cover there.
@Thesaltyurchin: has flannery delivered the goods at 10 for ulster?
@Brenda Collins: Not by a long shot imo, but has been dogged by injury AND they’re not playing great rn, tho I still fancy Ulster to make playoffs and potentially be a problem. Ben Brownlee the next player for a potential move to Munster.