League wins for Mallow, Newmarket and Clyda

Mallow 3-15 Kanturk 2-12

MALLOW maintained their position on top of the Division 2 following their win over Kanturk at Kanturk on Thursday evening. Exchanges were close between two evenly matched sides that were both short some key players.

Mallow opened with an early punched point by Killian O’Connor. Cian O’Riordan added a point after three minutes. Ryan Harkin edged his side 3 clear soon after. Kanturk settled as the half progressed. Lorcan McLoughlan opened their account and Karl Holland pointed after good play by Eoin Geaney.

Kanturk took the lead when Cian Clernon finished off a three man attack to the net. Mark Healy pointed for the Duhallow side. Mallow battled back well using the short passing to good effect. Cian O’Riordan and Pa Herlihy added a point each. Kanturk pointed a ‘45 by Karl Holland with Ryan Harkin replying for Mallow. Daniel O’Connell with a late point had the sides level at the break 1-7 each.

On the restart Mallow edged 3 points clear early on by Cian O’Riordan and Ryan Harkin (2) 1-10 to 1-7. In the 4lst minute Kieran O’Sullivan soloed through and kicked a great goal. Kanturk rallied well. They had rapid points by Karl Holland (free) and Daniel O’Connell. Good play by Holland led to a fine Cian Clernon point. Kieran O’Sullivan and Ian Walsh swopped a point. Cian O’Riordan added another Mallow point. Cian Clernon with his second goal that cut the lead to a point 2-12 to 2-11 after 48 minutes.

Kanturk tried very hard to get on terms. Mallow responded with Ryan Harkin pointing a free and Kieran O’Sullivan soloed through and gave his side a 2-14 to 2-11 lead. Cian O’Riordan landed a pointed free as Mallow edged 4 points clear. In the 55th minute good play by Daniel O’Connell, Mark Healy, James Fitzpatrick and Denis O’Connor led to a Conor Breen point under pressure.

At the other end Jack Dillon was put through but his effort came back off the bar into the path of Eoin Kelleher who goaled 3-15 to 2- 12. Kanturk forced a late penalty. Karl Holland’s attempt was expertly saved by Kevin Doyle.

Newmarket 6-12 Kanturk 2-14

A clinical attacking display saw Newmarket overwhelm neighbours Kanturk to a one sided Division 2 game.

Newmarket played exceptionally well, a close encounter had been anticipated but Newmarket possessed too much power, pace and scoring ability. From the off, Newmarket were razor sharp, hitting the ground running, goals from Daniel Culloty, Kevin O’Sullivan and Barry O’Connor helped build up a 3-3 to 0-0 score inside 10 minutes.

Though Kryle Holland opened Kanturk’s account, they faced a mountain to climb, their defence breached again, Cathal Browne and Culloty netting for a 5-8 to 0-6 grip at the break. The early exchanges to the second half followed a similar pattern, O’Connor netted his side’s 6th goal. As the contest aged, Kanturk raised the level of performance, goals from Ian Walsh and Liam O’Keeffe yet the outcome was never in doubt.

Clyda Rovers 4-5 Castlehaven 2-10

CLYDA Rovers had a point to spare over Castlehaven in the Division 2 at Mourneabbey.

Rovers had the aid of the stiff breeze in the first half and took the lead when Conor Flanagan finished off a four man attack with a goal. Clyda with some top performances by Chris Kenny, Conor Flanagan, David Walsh, Ray Carey, Colin Kelly and Chris Buckley led for the rest of the game. Conor Flanagan pointed a 7th minute free.

The Avondhu side followed with points by Chris Buckley and Paul Cronin. Castlehaven had a goal by Conor Nolan after good play by Kevin O’Donovan. Ronan Flanagan and Chris Hayes swapped a point. Castlehaven came within a point when Cathal Maguire pointed.

In the 26th minute the Clyda Rovers side had a goal by Colin Kelly after good play by Sean Kelly, Paul Cronin and Chris Buckley 2-4 to 1-3. Clyda moved further ahead when Michael Forde goaled after good play by Chris Buckley and Paul Cronin 3-4 to 1-3. Conor Flanagan pointed a late free that helped Clyda Rovers to an interval lead 3-5 to 1-3.

Castlehaven made four changes at half time. They thundered into the game aided by the strong breeze. Andrew Whelton had an early point and Conor Nolan pointed after good play by Stephen Collins and David McCarthy. Cathal Maguire punched a point. In the 42nd minute David McCarthy with a point cut the lead 3-5 to 1-7. Jamie Walsh added a point.

Conor Flanagan was a powerhouse at midfield and made some great catches and runs. However, Rovers found it hard to make any real progress up front. Castlehaven kept battling to the end and by the 56th minute they had the lead down a point 3-5 to 1-10.

Clyda Rovers had a goal by Ben O’Connor after great play by Colin Kelly, David Walsh and William Cronin. David McCarthy replied with a late goal for Castlehaven but Clyda held out.