After a few false starts Charleville finally look like they are ready to become a serious player in the Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship.
They were involved in a relegation play-off only last year, when a 3-2 tally from Tim Hawe inspired them to a nine-point victory over Bishopstown. They also had been in the relegation play-offs in 2022 and 2021. They comprehensively beat Na Piarsaigh in 2022 and only survived the year before after coming out the right side of a penalty shootout against Carrigtwohill in Fermoy.
It is clear that the North Cork side had no intention of enduring the torment of that particular fixture this year. Two comprehensive wins over Newcestown and Newtownshandrum in Group 2 mean that they can now look forward to a quarter-final berth, at least.
For Charleville to go well then Darragh Fitzgibbon is always going to have perform, and that was the case at a packed Milford as he slotted seven points in total, with four of those being from play, as he got the better of his duel with Cormac O’Brien.
It was far from just the Fitzgibbon show, however, with the introductions of Sean Bresnan and Zack Biggane to the Charleville half-forward line giving their attack a new lease of life.
Bresnan is an all-action forward who brings huge work-rate and hoovers up a lot of ball, while Cork U20 Biggane is a real ball-winning option with his size. Biggane slotted three points against their neighbours, while Bresnan got two. The pair should be instrumental for Charleville for years to come.
The side is backboned by the likes of Jack Meade, Alan Dennehy, Finbarr Cagney, Jack Buckley and Darren Casey. There cannot be too many better midfielders in Cork than the industrious Jack Callaghan.
That the Dominic Foley-coached side had the luxury of introducing players of the quality of Hawe, who chipped in with a point, Conor Buckley, who clipped over three, and the experienced Jack Doyle, Andrew Cagney and Robert O’Carroll, shows the Charleville panel is much deeper now. They will be confident of having a say at the business end of this competition.
For Newtownshandrum, the defeat was extremely worrying, as the point that Newcestown brilliantly earned with their draw against Midleton now means that the former All-Ireland champions must defeat Newcestown to ensure they aren’t dragged into the relegation equation.
They only managed 0-15 on Sunday, a disappointing total in perfect hurling conditions. It was noteworthy that the only forward who managed more than a single point from play in the game was the veteran Jamie Coughlan, with two. There will be a huge temptation to redeploy Tim O’Mahony to the attack, as the Cork man impressed in a deep centre-back role, landing two brilliant long-rangers from play.
Patrick White, Midleton, under pressure from Tim O’Mahony, Newtownshandrum. Both clubs will be disappointed with their results in round two last weekend. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Newcestown must be commended for the manner they got a draw against Midleton. It should ensure they retain their Premier Senior status for another year, no matter what happens in the final round.
The big takeaway from that game is that the Magpies did not do a whole lot to suggest that they are likely county kingpins this year.
In Group 3, a few eyebrows were raised at the ease at which Blackrock dispatched St Finbarr’s on Friday night, as the Rockies had their rivals at arm’s length for the entire hour, winning by 11.
The Barrs would have considered themselves to be title contenders but on this display, it’s hard to see. Ben Cunningham scored 2-9, but he was the only Barrs man to score more than once, which will be extremely worrying for Ger Cunningham and co.
The Rockies outworked their opponents all over the pitch and were full value for the win. They had 10 different scorers in a real team effort.
The draw between Kanturk and Douglas means that St Finbarr’s have qualification in their own hands, but another poor showing and you would not be surprised to see the Duhallow club knock them out.
Sarsfields continued their impressive form to boost their points difference to a huge +41 after two games as they easily saw off neighbours Erin’s Own. Their run to the All-Ireland club final last year seems to have really focused the minds. They will take some stopping.