Carrigaline March On to South East Quarter-Finals After Lively Clash in Brinny

(JJ Hurley)

(Carrigaline captain Tom Deasy with referee Alan O'Connor and Courcey Rovers captain Jack O'Callaghan at Brinny on Friday night at the Ross Oil SE Junior A Hurling Championship)

Carrigaline booked their spot in the Ross Oil Junior A South East Hurling Championship quarter-finals on Friday night, digging deep to earn a hard-fought 0-19 to 1-13 victory over Courceys in Brinny.

In a lively contest that remained in the melting pot right down to the final whistle, Carrigaline’s clinical edge in front of goal proved decisive.

Callum O’Farrell set the tone early with the night's opening score. Rapid follow-up points from O’Farrell and Cian O’Donovan built a 0-3 to 0-1 lead within four minutes.

Despite Courceys cutting the gap, a relentless three-point surge extended Carrigaline's advantage to four.

By the midpoint of the first half, Carrigaline led 0-8 to 0-4. Courceys found a lifeline when a cleared free fell to Calum Morgan, who managed to raise a green flag, but Carrigaline kept their composure.

Highlighted by a delightful score from Sean Browne, Carrigaline outscored the Ballinspittle outfit to head into the break leading 0-11 to 1-6.

Carrigaline continued to press early in the second half, stretching the advantage to 0-15 to 1-7 by the 40th minute.

It so nearly yielded a goal, only for Courceys goalkeeper David Hickey to produce a brilliant save to deny Jack Connolly.

Carrigaline were also dealt a blow when Cian O’Donovan was forced off injured on 36 minutes, replaced by Alan McCarthy.

Courceys made a late push to bring the deficit back to two points, but the Carrigaline defence held firm. Superbly marshalled by Daniel Callanan, the backline never looked like conceding a second goal.

O’Farrell kept his cool under pressure, slotting three late frees to complement a strong 0-7 overall tally and secure a well-earned three-point victory.

Carrigaline Scorers: C O’Farrell 0-7 (4F, 1 65), C O’Donovan 0-4 (4F), J Connolly 0-3, T Deasy 0-2, I O’Donoghue 0-2, S Browne 0-1.

CARRIGALINE: J Carolan; B Cronin, D Callanan, S Tivy; W O’Neill, C McSweeney, S Browne; T Deasy, E O’Shea; C O’Farrell, I O’Donoghue, F Walsh; W O’Neill, J Connolly, C O’Donovan.

Subs used: A McCarthy for C O’Donovan (36, inj), S McHugh for E O’Shea (55).

Referee: Alan O’Connor (Ballygarvan).