Cork Senior Hurling Championship Round 3
Carrigtwohill 2-10 (16) Bandon 1-11 (14) in Ovens on Saturday, August 17^th at 7pm.
Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Éire Óg)

You wait 4 years for a championship win and 2 come around in a fortnight. In a thrilling, hard-fought championship battle Carrig showed incredible passion and hunger to come out on top by 2 points against Bandon. It was a familiar setting for both sets of players and supporters from 2017 when Bandon had plenty to spare over Carrig in a round 2 game that finished 2-14 to 0-9.

From the clash however, Carrig were adamant that there wouldn’t be a repeat of that performance. Carrig dominated the opening exchanges but couldn’t turn their possession into a big enough lead. Carrig led 0-3 to 0-2 after 15 minutes thanks to efforts from Liam Gosnell (f), Brendan Twomey and Tomás Hogan. The intensity of the match was unreal, epitomised by a ruck on the stand sideline that saw Jamie McCarthy win possession despite losing his helmet. Jay Horgan was fouled on the next play and the roar that went up was heard all over Ovens and favourites Bandon knew that they were in for a battle. Carrig were again well on top coming up to half time but a two-point lead at the interval did not justify their efforts. Liam Gosnell had Carrig’s other 3 points in the half (1 free). In defense, Carrig to a man were well on top with Colm O’Connell, Padraic Hogan and Ronan Power not giving an inch.

Immediately on the restart, Bandon goaled to take their first lead of the game after the ball bobbled inside Carrig’s 13’. Previous Carrig teams might have gone under in this situation but this side is different and almost immediately Sean Rohan won a great ball in the corner, turned his man and fed Brendan Twomey who fired low off his left to the net. Bandon and Gosnell (0-2 frees) went point for point before Shane Devlin collected a ball inside his 6-yard box and Carrig worked it well through the lines with Tomás Hogan finding Twomey who buried his 2^nd goal. Carrig were now 5 points up, 2-8 to 1-6. But Bandon did not go away quietly and started to push men forward putting Carrig’s rearguard under intense pressure. Pat O’Sullivan and Aaron Walsh Barry were to the fore and Shane Devlin made a couple of fine saves as Bandon dragged themselves back into the game. With time nearly up Bandon had clawed back to within 2 points. Gosnell again provided Carrig’s scores (0-2, 0-1 free). Bandon had 2 late frees that flashed wide and a last minute lob into Carrig’s backline was repelled before Diarmuid Kirwan brought the match to an end to the delight of Carrig’s players and supporters.

This win was significant for a number of reasons. It’s Carrig’s first Championship quarter-final since 2015 and means that Carrig will be playing top-grade hurling next year alongside 11 other clubs with the inauguration of the Premier Senior grade in 2020. It is also a massive feat to win back-to-back championship games as underdogs when Carrig hadn’t registered a championship win since that 2015 campaign. Massive credit needs to go the players and management for their hard work and for putting pride back in the jersey. With our minors in an East Region final, our u21s winning their opening 2 championship games and our junior hurlers topping their group to reach an East Cork quarter-final, it is a great time for our club. The draw for the quarter-finals will be made on September 1^st with the matches scheduled to be played on the weekend of September 14^th/15^th.

Scorers: L. Gosnell 0-8 (0-5f), B. Twomey 2-1, T. Hogan 0-1.

Panel: S. Devlin, P. Barden, P. O’Sullivan, R. Power, P. Hogan, A. Walsh Barry, C. O’Connell, B. Twomey, J. Horgan, T. Hogan, S. Roche, S. Rohan, J. McCarthy, J. Mulcahy, L. Gosnell. Subs used: S. Healy for J. Mulcahy, E. O’Mahony for S. Healy.