Mac an tSaoi on fire as Hammies put the squeeze on Bishopstown
CSN's Kevin Murphy and Kevin Werner close in on HHS Bandon's Hugh O'Mahony in their Corn Ui Mhuiri Group 4 match at Ballinhassig, Cork.
Seán Mac an tSaoi played a captain’s role as he inspired Hamilton High School to an opening-day victory over Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh.
The Valley Rovers rising star scored 2-1 in defeat against the same opposition last year but this time his seven points from centre-forward turned the tables.
He kicked four pivotal points from play as they outscored the Bishopstown school by 0-9 to 0-1 in the second half.
CSN started without Cork minors Mark O’Brien and Gary Holland due to illness and injury, while 2022 minor Darragh O’Donovan passed a late fitness test to line out.
They were still good value for a two-point lead at half-time but were unable to escape Hammies’ zonal press against the wind thereafter.
With their round 1 fixtures rained off, it leaves a tough schedule ahead for CSN to recover. They are due to face Skibbereen CS on Friday week before meeting Tralee CBS the following Wednesday.
Hamilton are set to play Tralee next Friday just two days after their do-or-die Harty Cup clash with Charleville CBS. Eight of their team have seen game-time in both codes.
Hammies started well into the breeze, kicking the first three points from Hugh O’Mahony, Oisín McCarthy, and a Mac an tSaoi free. CSN were quick to hit back with the next five points. Frees from All-Ireland U20-winning hurler Adam O’Sullivan and Kevin Werner got them up and running before a well-worked move ended in a Werner leveller.
Werner turned provider for a Bill Cahill point before some goalmouth action at either end.
A crucial interception from the impressive Cormac Dineen denied a tap-in from Paul Kelly’s handpass and CSN almost goaled on the counter. Cahill’s crossfield ball found O’Sullivan, who spun inside, but highly-rated keeper Josh Woods made a diving save. O’Sullivan slotted the 45 to leave it 0-5 to 0-3 after 14 minutes.
They traded scores from there to the break. Mac an tSaoi’s free provided Hamilton’s first score in 18 minutes but was soon cancelled out by Werner. Then, hard-working Bandon corner-back Danny Crowley almost found the net but his punched effort from a Dan Flanagan pass floated over. Another Werner free left it 0-7 to 0-5 at the interval.
Hammies started the second half as they did the first; with three quickfire points. A patient passing move was rewarded with a Mac an tSaoi curler from an acute angle before McCarthy picked out O’Mahony for the equaliser.
They started to press the CSN kick-out with great success and a Mac an tSaoi free pushed them ahead for the first time in 25 minutes. McCarthy doubled their lead with a booming off-the-ground free.
CSN were growing more frustrated by their failing efforts to break down a defence well marshalled by Jack Cullinane. Their only score of the half arrived through the hands of their defenders, with county minors Matthew Ahern and Odhran Foley combining for a 49th-minute point.
That left one in it but Hamilton forged on with the final five points. Micheál Maguire had been battling Dineen all day but finally broke free for a dazzling point.
Humphry Canty overturned two kick-outs and funnelled both to Mac an tSaoi to finish; the second of those chances could even have been a goal but flew just over the crossbar.
S Mac an tSaoi (0-7, 3 frees); O McCarthy (1 free), H O’Mahony (0-2 each); S Aherne, D Crowley, M Maguire (0-1 each).
K Werner (0-4, 3 frees); A O’Sullivan (0-2, 1 free, 1 45); O Foley, B Cahill (0-1 each).
J Woods (Valley Rovers); E Mangan (Ahán Gaels), S Aherne (Bandon), D Crowley (Bandon); D Flanagan (Newcestown), J Cullinane (Bandon), K Dart-O’Flynn (Valley Rovers); O McCarthy (Valley Rovers), P Kelly (Newcestown); H O’Mahony (Bandon), S Mac an tSaoi (Valley Rovers), S Barry (Sam Maguires); M Maguire (Castlehaven), L Griffin (Kilbrittain), H Canty (Newcestown).
K Hannon (Bandon) for Barry (42), A Huggard (Valley Rovers) for O’Mahony (60+1).
S Cronin (Bishopstown); C O’Sullivan (Inniscarra), M Ahern (St Finbarr’s), C Dineen (Inniscarra); D Byrne (Ballinora), D O’Donovan (Bishopstown), O Foley (Bishopstown); T O’Keeffe (St Finbarr’s), K Murphy (Bishopstown); J Brady (St Finbarr’s), S Sheridan (Bishopstown), S Connolly (Inniscarra); K Werner (Ballinora), B Cahill (Bishopstown), A O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig).
M O’Brien (Ballinora) for Werner (47), S Kirby (St Finbarr’s) for Byrne (53), N Crowley (Bishopstown) for Brady (57).
: M Harrington (Carrigaline).
