Jack O’Connor, Sarsfields, and Timmy Wilk, Imokilly, in Cork SHC Final action. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Cork SHC Final
Imokilly 1-23 Sarsfields 0-17
A burst of ten points between the 49th and 60th minute was the key as Imokilly claimed the Cork Premier SHC title for the sixth time with victory over Sarsfields at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
On a day when high winds made life difficult, the East Cork divisional side – previously champions in 1997, 1998, 2017, 2018 and 2019 – trailed by 0-11 to 0-5 at half-time, but a goal by Adam Murphy early in the second half brought them right back into contention.
While reigning champions Sarsfields stayed in front for a period, they had no answer when Denis Ring’s side went into overdrive in the closing stages. Jack Leahy scored four of those 10 in a display that featured 11 points in all while Cork centre-back Ciarán Joyce was majestic in a defence that didn’t cough up any clear-cut goal opportunities.
While Imokilly won the toss, captain Ciarán O’Brien – another who shone in defence – opted to play against the gale in the opening half. Sars had three early points, though Imokilly’s Timmy Wilk was unlucky with a goal attempt, unable to meet a Seán Desmond handpass across goal.
Frees from Daniel Hogan and long-range efforts by defenders Conor O’Sullivan, Paul Leopold and Bryan Murphy helped Sars to stretch their advantage to 0-11 to 0-3 at one stage, though Imokilly continued to pose more of a goal threat – Murphy shot wide after a Sars mix-up, though the whistle had gone for a free out.
Imokilly midfielder Shane Hegarty and Desmond had points in the closing stages of the first half to make the deficit more manageable and, while Sars’ Aaron Myers had the first point after the restart, the tide began to turn.
After Leahy pointed a free, good work by Bill Cooper forced a turnover and the ball was worked to Murphy, who blasted a shot to the top corner of the net – 0-12 to 1-6, with Diarmuid Healy adding a point immediately after.
Further Imokilly attempts to erode the lead, with Séamus Harnedy getting on the scoresheet for them, were answered by Hogan and Jack O’Connor – with a beauty from the left – to leave it 0-16 to 1-12 in the final quarter, but by the time Sars scored again, the game was gone from them.
Two superb efforts from the tireless Hegarty set the turnaround in motion, with subs Barry Lawton and Mike Kelly also on target as they eased clear. Leahy’s 10th made it 1-22 to 0-16 in injury time, with O’Connor ending the scoring drought for Sars – who must regroup before facing a Munster Club SHC campaign – before Leahy had the final say.
Scorers for Imokilly: Jack Leahy 0-11 (7fs, 1 65), Shane Hegarty, Seán Desmond 0-3 each, Adam Murphy 1-0, Séamus Harnedy 0-2, Diarmuid Healy, Mike Kelly, Barry Lawton, Eoin Davis (f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Sarsfields: Daniel Hogan 0-5 (2fs), Jack O’Connor 0-3, Aaron Myers 0-2, Paul Leopold, Bryan Murphy, Conor O’Sullivan, Cathal McCarthy, Daniel Kearney, Cian Darcy, Colm McCarthy 0-1 each.
Imokilly: Eoin Davis; Timmy Wilk, Mike Russell, Ciarán O’Brien; Ciarán Joyce, Dáire O’Leary, John Cronin; Shane Hegarty, Bill Cooper; Brian Lawton, Diarmuid Healy, Séamus Harnedy; Adam Murphy, Seán Desmond, Jack Leahy.
Subs: Kevin O’Neill for Russell (36), Mike Kelly for Murphy (47), Barry Lawton for Healy (52), Will Leahy for Desmond (60+3).
Sarsfields: Donnacha McCarthy; Paul Leopold, Craig Leahy, Conor O’Sullivan; Luke Elliott, Eoghan Murphy, Bryan Murphy; Cian Darcy, Daniel Kearney; Jack O’Connor, Daniel Hogan, Aaron Myers; Shane O’Regan, Jame Sweeney, Colm McCarthy.
Subs: Cathal McCarthy for O’Regan (half-time), Liam Healy for Sweeney (39), Killian Murphy for Kearney (52).
Referee: Shane Scanlon (Newcestown).
