Cork Football Team of the Week: Stars Shine in Group Stages

Group stages done. Nerves frayed. Heroes everywhere.

Across the top three grades, it was a weekend of clutch scores, big tackles and seasons saved – or sunk. Here’s the Echo Cork football Team of the Week.

Goalkeeper: Darren Ó Coill (Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh) 0-4 (2 tpf)

Ballingeary’s rock and their match-winner. Ó Coill pulled off three point-blank saves against Dohenys, the kind that rip belief out of forwards, then strode up the field to nail a couple of two-point frees for good measure. Shot-stopper, scorer, and the man who dragged them into the SAFC knockouts.

Corner-back: James Kelleher (Newcestown) 0-1

When Newcestown wobbled against St Michael’s, Kelleher steadied them. Calm, tight, and aggressive in the tackle, he produced a vital turnover that sparked a David Buckley score to push the lead to seven before the interval. He’d already chipped in with a point himself. A defender who shaped the contest at both ends.

Full-back: Harry Wixted (Bishopstown) 0-1

Wixted marshalled the Bishopstown square with authority in their win over Clyda, reading danger early and attacking the ball. Then he added a flourish: a volleyed effort more at home on a soccer pitch than a Gaelic one, sailing over for a crowd-pleasing point.

Corner-back: Ed Leahy (Aghada)

Given the job nobody wants – track Castletownbere sharpshooter Fintan Fenner – Leahy stuck to it with discipline. He kept Fenner on a short leash and helped Aghada secure the result that eased their relegation fears. Quietly crucial.

Half-back: Pádraig Britton (Mallow) 0-2

Mallow may be out, but Britton walked off with his reputation enhanced. He clipped two huge points as they toppled the reigning champions, constantly driving down the flank and offering an outlet on every break. The performance deserved a longer summer than the group table allowed.

Centre-back: Brian O’Driscoll (Carrigaline) 0-2 (1 tp)

Back in the side and straight back in charge. O’Driscoll dictated Carrigaline’s win over Douglas from the first whistle, hoovering up possession, drawing frees and setting the tempo. He tagged on 0-2, including a two-pointer, as Carrig made it three wins from three and marched directly into the semi-finals.

Half-back: Mark Collins (Castlehaven)

Same story, different weekend. Collins was again the metronome and the organiser for Castlehaven, knitting defence and attack as they brushed aside Knocknagree. His consistency is becoming the platform for another deep run, and the Haven are back in the quarter-finals with him at the heart of it.

Midfielder: Jack McCarthy (Carrigaline) 0-3

McCarthy emptied the tank for Carrigaline. He dominated long stretches of the middle third against Douglas, fielding ball, breaking tackles and then finishing moves with an excellent 0-3. His engine allowed Carrig to squeeze the life out of the game.

Midfielder: Conor Cahalane (Castlehaven) 1-5

Cahalane ran the show. From midfield he controlled the pace, smashed a long ball straight to the net and picked off some stunning points. Just as impressive, he hunted and harried without the ball, setting the tone for Castlehaven’s work rate as much as their scoring.

Half-forward: Michael O’Rourke (Mallow) 0-4 (1 tp)

O’Rourke was the spark in Mallow’s win over the Barrs. He hit 0-4, including a two-pointer, and laid on several more scores with sharp movement and clever passing. Everything good in their attack seemed to run through him on a night when they upset the champions but still fell short of progression.

Centre-forward: Ed Ó Mír (Naomh Abán) 0-9 (2 tp, 0-1 f)

Naomh Abán’s go-to man delivered again. Ó Mír finished with 0-9, a remarkable 0-8 from play, and landed two brilliant two-pointers as they saw off Nemo’s second string to top the group. When they needed a finisher, he was ruthless.

Half-forward: Cathal Vaughan (Uibh Laoire) 0-6 (1 tpf, 1 tp, 0-1 f)

The Joneses have grabbed plenty of headlines in Uibh Laoire’s PIFC campaign, but Vaughan reminded everyone of his pedigree. The former Cork senior clipped 0-6 against Rockchapel, mixing a two-point free, a two-pointer from play and a placed ball into a classy, controlled display.

Corner-forward: Brian Coakley (Carrigaline) 0-9 (3 tpf, 1 tp)

A masterclass in accuracy. Coakley was ice-cold against Douglas, striking 0-9 and punishing every foul with three two-point frees, plus another two-pointer. From distance, from play, from the deck – he barely missed. If Carrigaline are to reach the PSFC final, he will be central to it.

Full-forward: Seán McEvoy (Clonakilty) 2-4

Clonakilty dominated, and McEvoy drove the knife in. He racked up 2-4 from play, tormenting his marker with sharp runs and ruthless finishing. His first-half surge put Clon in control; his second goal after the break killed the contest and sealed their third green flag.

Corner-forward: Arthur Coakley (Bantry Blues) 2-3 (1-0 pen, 0-2 f)

When Bantry Blues needed someone, Coakley stepped forward. He opened their account, stayed dangerous all evening and buried his first goal to send them clear. Then, with the game and Glanmire’s fate on the line, he coolly tucked away a late penalty that consigned Glanmire to the relegation playoff.

Substitutes

Impact off the bench can define a weekend, and this lot made sure their names were noted.

• Colm O’Neill (Glanmire) 0-8 (3 tpf, 0-2 f) – Kept Glanmire alive with a superb 0-8, including three two-point frees, even as the result went against them.
• Cillian Murphy (Éire Óg) 0-2 – Came in and made it count with two important points.
• Jonathan Rosales Harrington (Castletownbere) – Added energy and physicality when introduced.
• Thomas Clancy (Clonakilty) 0-2 (1 tp) – Slotted in seamlessly, chipping in 0-2 including a two-pointer.
• Sam Copps (Mallow) 0-1 – Another Mallow sub who refused to let standards drop, clipping a score.
• Rory Maguire (Castlehaven) – Brought steel and composure as Castlehaven saw the job out.
• Gary Holland (Bishopstown) 0-5 (0-1 f) – A sharp cameo, rattling over 0-5 and nailing a free.
• Daragh Hayes (Carbery Rangers) 1-5 – Explosive contribution, firing 1-5 to light up the scoreboard.
• Michael Quirke (Ballinora) 2-3 – A devastating return, two goals and three points in a ruthless spell.
• Ben Twomey (Fermoy) 0-7 (1 tp) – Accurate and assured, finishing with 0-7 and a crucial two-pointer.
• Jack Murphy (Éire Óg) 0-5 (0-1 f) – Five points of pure composure, including a free, to round off a strong outing.

The group stages have cleared the decks. With form players like these catching fire, the knockout rounds promise something even more ferocious.