Imokilly 1-23
Sarsfields 0-17
DIVISIONAL OUTFIT IMOKILLY reign supreme in Cork senior hurling again, as they slipped into a higher gear in the second half to storm past title holders Sarsfields in today’s final.
Trailing by six at the break, Imokilly ran out nine-point victors as they harnessed the powerful wind at their backs in the second half.
Man-of-the-match Jack Leahy rifled over eleven points for Imokilly, while Cork senior Ciaran Joyce was immense at the heart of their defence.
The crucial score arrived three minutes into the second half, Imokilly pouncing for the only goal of the game as Bill Cooper overturned a short Sarsfields puckout, feeding Adam Murphy and he finished emphatically to the net.
That score helped make amends for a couple of goal chances Imokilly missed in the opening period, while Sean Desmond had one harshly disallowed for a square ball infringement, when he appeared to be standing outside.
Inspired by Daniel Hogan’s four first-half points, Sarsfields hurled with authority early on as they sought to complete back-to-back titles for the first time in the club’s history. They were in front 0-6 to 0-3 after 17 minutes before making a significant charge as they reeled off five points without reply courtesy of Hogan (2), Cork senior Jack O’Connor, Paul Leopold, and Cian Darcy.
Imokilly, heavy favourites beforehand, trailed 0-11 to 0-3 but managed to critically weather the storm and bag two points before the break courtesy of Shane Hegarty and Sean Desmond.
They pushed up on Sarsfields’ puckout in the second half as Brian Lawton, a sweeper in the opening period, switched to a conventional attacking spot.
Murphy’s goal and a Diarmuid Healy point seconds later, both stemmed from pressure placed on the Sarsfields puckouts. As scores were exchanged, Imokilly were hitting their stride to go ahead 1-11 to 0-13 in the 42nd minute, Leahy notching a brace and Seamus Harnedy also chipping in with two.
Sarsfields steadied their challenge and when Aaron Myers smashed over a shot in the 47th minute, they were ahead 0-16 to 1-12, and has reason to be confident they could compete heading down the stretch.
Instead Imokilly showcased their strength and class to outscore Sarsfields 0-12 to 0-1 for the remainder of the game. Joyce was terrific in this phase, while Daire O’Leary and Timmy Wilk were also hugely prominent in defence.
Six different players contributed to that late scoring spree with midfielder Shane Hegarty clipping over two scores, and Leahy starring as he weighed in with five.
It was a spell sufficient to clinch their fourth title in eight campaigns, while Sarsfields must now recover to represent Cork in the Munster club championship, a semi-final against Clare’s Feakle or Sixmilebridge.
Scorers for Imokilly: Jack Leahy 0-11 (0-7f, 0-1 ’65), Adam Murphy 1-0, Shane Hegarty 0-3, Sean Desmond 0-3, Seamus Harnedy 0-2, Eoin Davis 0-1 (0-1f), Diarmuid Healy 0-1, Mike Kelly 0-1, Barry Lawton 0-1.
Scorers for Sarsfields: Daniel Hogan 0-5 (0-2f), Jack O’Connor 0-2, Aaron Myers 0-2, Paul Leopold 0-1, Conor O’Sullivan 0-1, Bryan Murphy 0-1, Cian Darcy 0-1, Daniel Kearney 0-1, Cathal McCarthy 0-1, Colm McCarthy 0-1.
Imokilly
Eoin Davis (St Catherine’s)
Timmy Wilk (Cobh), Mike Russell (Aghada), Ciaran O’Brien (St Ita’s – captain)
Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr), Daire O’Leary (Watergrasshill), John Cronin (Lisgoold)
Shane Hegarty (Dungourney), Bill Cooper (Youghal)
Brian Lawton (Castlemartyr), Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold), Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s)
Adam Murphy (Watergrasshill), Sean Desmond (Watergrasshill), Jack Leahy (Dungourney).
Subs
- 17. Kevin O’Neill (Watergrasshill) for Russell (35)
- 18. Mike Kelly (Castlemartyr) for Murphy (47)
- 30. Barry Lawton (Castlemartyr) for Healy (52)
- 20. Will Leahy (Aghada) for Desmond (62)
Sarsfields
Donnacha McCarthy
Paul Leopold, Craig Leahy, Conor O’Sullivan
Luke Elliott, Eoghan Murphy, Bryan Murphy
Cian Darcy, Daniel Kearney
Jack O’Connor, Daniel Hogan, Aaron Myers
Shane O’Regan, James Sweeney, Colm McCarthy.
Subs
- 22. Cathal McCarthy for O’Regan (half-time)
- 21. Liam Healy for Sweeney (39)
- 24. Killian Murphy for Kearney (52)
Referee: Shane Scanlon (Newcestown)
East Cork Abu. Thankfully, the weather didn’t influence the results in either game today. The better sides came through. Would not have had Jack Leahy as Man of the Match, thought Joyce or Cooper would have been more deserving.
Great team
Divisional sides should have no place in any club championship.