Pat O'Brien Cup Second Round, Junior C Hurling

Pat O'Brien Cup

Cork 0-6 Donegal 1-11

Donegal's Mark Canney on a foray forward.

Cork and Donegal played the only Cup game on the schedule for Sunday, with Donegal emerging comfortable winners following a closely contested first half.  Donegal fielded a team with strength down the middle.  Matt Smyth was a formidable force in the half back line, and up front Dean Matthews and Gavin Gallagher were involved in many of Donegal's scoring forays.  At the break the northerners held a 5 point lead, and had Matthews to thank for a well taken goal.  Points came from the boot of Pauric McLaughlin, Gallagher and Matthews.  Cork put some well worked scores together.  Mike Moynihan a free, followed by another from play.  Mike Maye chipped in with a score from wing forward.

Donegal's Paul McNulty and Cork's Declan Harrington.

The second half saw Donegal take advantage of the stiff breeze that was now in their favour.  After Maye reduced the gap to 4 points, Donegal proceeded to outscore their opponents six points to one.  McLaughlin tallied two more, Declan Doherty another, Killybegs man, Smyth also got on the scoreboard, and with Mark Canny strong as ever in the back line, Donegal were comfortably into the quarter finals next Sunday where the Tír Chonaill men will face Christopher's.

Christopher's 2-7 Galway 1-8

There was not much between Galway and Christopher's in Friday evening's encounter at the Irish Cultural Center.  In fact, the sides were all square coming into the final minutes of the game.  Christopher's went into the break with a 2 point advantage, 1-3 to 0-5.  The Hyde Park men extended their lead after the break with a second goal, but Galway battled back.  Corner forward, Kevin Cummins chipped the keeper to score a spectacular goal that would grace any field in La Liga to bring his side within 2, but after Galway drew level Christopher's pulled away in the final minutes to see themselves through to the next round of the competition.

Junior C Hurling Championship

Barley House Wolves 6-9 Hartford 0-2

The Wolves Clear their lines.

The recently formed Hartford hurling team faced the iron of the junior C competition when they faced the Barley House Wolves at the Irish Cultural Center on Sunday afternoon.  Based in Concord, NH, the Wolves were formed 8 years ago by veteran troops of the New Hampshire National Guard following a one year tour in the middle east.  In fact, the Wolves showed up with 40 players ready to tog out; Hartford faced a formidable foe. 

Mick Lawrence in action.

At the break the Wolves were ahead 2-5 to a point for Hartford.  Ruairi O'Mahoney and Sean Naughton tallied many of the scores for the New Hampshire side, and while Hartford battled hard the Wolves were not to be stopped. Lore Forde held the goal line well, and Mattie Polomino added a goal.  With Mike Culligan, Cormac Macklin, and Will O'Hara battling away in their lines, Hartford generated some chances but the seasoned opposition proved too tough to break through.  A good opening win for the Concord men who made a strong statement of intent to reclaim the junior C title on Sunday, and Hartford hoping for better things as the season progresses.

Schedule

Sunday May 11

Pat O'Brien Cup

12:00:  Donegal v Christopher's

1:00:  Connemara Gaels v Aidan McAnespies

2:00:  Kerry v Wolfe Tones

3:00 Shannon Blues v Armagh-Notre Dame

4:00 Orla Benson Cup:  Tír na nÓg v Boston Shamrocks