Fermoy minor hurlers edged out by Bride Rovers

Edward Sheehy (Newcestown)

Bride Rovers 2-18 Fermoy 1-12

A PHYSICALLY stronger Bride Rovers side had a comfortable win over Fermoy in the Carrigaline Court Hotel Premier (2) MHC at Ballyhooly on Wednesday evening.

From the start the winners dominated. They were very impressive in the half-back line and midfield sectors with their attack taking some good scores. Conor Barry and Eoin Roche were very influential at midfield.

Up front Brian Roche and Edmund Cashman were a handful for the Fermoy defence. The sides were level 0-1 each after three minutes. Brian Roche added two more points for the East Cork side. In the 12th minute good play by Eoin Roche, John Buckley and Conleith Ryan led to a Brian Roche goal.

Jake Carr pointed a Fermoy free in the 15th minute as they trailed 1-4 to 0-2. Conor Barry struck some long range pointed frees. The winners centre back Patrick O’Flynn was outstanding. Jake Carr pointed a free and a ‘65 for Fermoy but it was the Rovers who led at the break 1-9 to 0-4.

Points early on the restart by Cian Hogan and Edmund Cashman opened up a 10 point lead. Jake Carr and Conor Buckley (free) swapped a point. Good play in the 39th minute by John Buckley and Brian Roche led to a very good Conleith Ryan point.

James Molloy kept Fermoy in touch with a point. In the 41st minute Conor Barry landed a long range point. Ben Twomey and Jake Carr (free) kept Fermoy in the hunt as they trailed 1-15 to 0-8.

Bride Rovers forced a 21 metre free. Conleith Ryan’s effort at goal was well saved. Edmund Cashman and Jake Carr swopped a point before Cashman placed Conor Barry for a goal that sealed the issue long before the final whistle 2-16 to 0-9.

Fermoy battled to the end. James Molloy pointed with Jake Carr following with another point. In the 57th minute they had their goal by Adam Ronan. There was no denying Bride Rovers their nine point win.

BRIDE ROVERS: B Hogan, O Roche, M Quinn,T Murray, J Buckley, P O’Flynn, R O’Sullivan, E Roche, C Barry 1-9 (0-6f), S Aherne, C Ryan 0-1, C Hogan 0-1, S Knox, B Roche 1-3, E Cashman 0-4 Subs: J O’Sullivan for S Knox, T Macak for J Buckley

FERMOY: J Shanahan, J Fitzpatrick, J Scannell, C Condon, J Ennis 0-1, S McCarthy, L Aherne, J Molloy 0-2 (0-1f), G Lardner, J Carr 0-7 (0-4f, 0-1 ‘65’), A Ronan 1-1, D Regan, M O’Brien, D Ekechukwu, B Twomey 0-1 Subs: A Flynn for M O’Brien. G Murphy for B Twomey

REFEREE: Cathal Egan (Glen Rovers)

Shandrum 2-15 Valley Rovers 1-5

SHANDRUM had a close win over Valley Rovers in the Rebel Óg Carrigaline Court Premier (2) MHC at Coachford on Thursday evening.

Ronan Geary opened with a first minute goal. Further ‘Shandrum pressure yielded points by Conor Griffin and Josh O’Riordan. Cathal O’Riordan had some good pointed frees for the South East side.

Conor Griffin added two more points for the Avondhu side who led 1-6 to 0-2 after 15 minutes. Both sides exchanged points with the winners moving eight points clear 1-9 to 0-4 by the 23rd minute.

Valley Rovers made a great rally before the break adding a goal by Cathal O’Sullivan from a penalty following a foul on Conor Taheny. At the break ‘Shandrum led by a single point 1-10 to 1-9.

Scores were very scarce in the third quarter with Shandrum having two points while Valley’s had just a single point in this period. Valley Rovers were unable to get on terms. They had a number of wides.

Conor Griffin sealed the win for ‘Shandrum with a 53rd minute goal. Both sides exchanged points but it was ‘Shandrum who held out for a close win by a goal margin. SHANDRUM : E Finn, B Pulis, K O’Sullivan, P O’Sullivan, C Bowles, J Twomey, B O’Connor, C Shanahan, C O’Brien 0-7 (0-6f), J O’Riordan 0-1, L Morrissey, P Drinan, R Geary 1-0, C Griffin 1-7 (0-4f), C O’Flynn Subs: C O’Mahony for C O’Flynn, J Twohill for P Drinan

VALLEY ROVERS: C Lyons, N Lawton, C Hurley, D McGuckian, S Lynch, M O’Leary 0-1f, A O’Leary, A Kenneally, R O’Connell, M Connolly, C O’Sullivan 1-9f, M Savic, D O’Shea 0-1, C Taheny 0-4, B Hoey Subs: B McCarthy for M Connolly

REFEREE: Brendan Barry Murphy (Aghabullogue)