Frewen wins for St Brendans and Intermediate Killorglin

Jimmy D’Arcy FREWEN CUP

St Brendans 1-9 Hamilton HS, Bandon 1-5

THIS was a strange but thoroughly entertaining game.

Bandon were actually as good as an excellent Sem team in all departments except for the unfortunate malaise of being unwilling to shoot. They fielded great ball, linked with each other well, covered and tackled with controlled aggression....but every time they got within shooting distance, they would pass it backwards rather than cough up possession.

They only shot twice in the first half, both early and both wide. That said, Peter Cosgrave was probably the Sem’s best player and Harry Byrne was another defender who shone brightly.

The Sem, equally impressive in open play, were more direct. With the competition being played under new rules, Cian McMahon had the presence of mind to claim and complete an offensive mark. Sam Benson had two points, the opener from a tight angle and a free, with Michael Moriarty and Jack Clifford helping the Sem into a 0-5 to 0-0 half-time lead.

Cork minor panellist Ciarán O’Connell got Bandon off the mark with a free and wing back Ben Hamilton, probably the best player overall (he won’t be playing Cork minor because of other sporting commitments), cracked a superb goal. Byrne, now switched to wing forward, picked out Cian McMahon with a lovely pass and he teed up Jack Clifford for a goal in reply.

Ciarán McCarthy, Seán Ryan, and Richard O’Sullivan picked off frees for Bandon but Liam Randles (2) and Killian O’Sullivan were able to close it out for the Sem. A better test than it sounds, but the Sem came through it unscathed.

IS Killorglin 3-16 Coláiste Chríost Rí 0-6

HOLDERS Killorglin had no great difficulty in seeing off the challenge of former giants Críost Rí – demographic shifts have seen the great Cork nursery lose playing numbers of late.

As it was, holders Killorglin were always in control. Stephen Palmer notched 3-1 (including a penalty), Eoghan Hassett had 0-8 (2f), Conor Spillane (0-4), Jack O’Sullivan (0-2), and John Burke (0-1).

Hassett and Palmer were razor sharp up front, helped by pin point passing from Kieran Dennehy in particular. Conor Spillane shone in midfield and Ciaran O’Sullivan marshalled the defence well, while Jack McGillicuddy was sharp and ready between the posts on the few occasions when Críost Rí did threaten his goal. All in all, John

Buckley’s charges look well poised to defend their title.

Next Wednesday sees IS Killorglin and the Sem face off in the quarter-finals. PS Chorca Dhuibhne will face Clonmel HS, and Mercy Mounthawk will face Tralee CBS in a Tralee derby. St Francis Rochestown will face St. Flannans in the last quarter-final.

CORN LIAM UÍ HUIGINN (U16.5 B)

NEXT Wednesday will see Sliabh Luachra (Backboned by the County U1nder 6 champions of Eoghan Ruadh) will face John The Baptist CS in the opening round, while Coláiste na Sceilge will face Coachford College.