Echo Cork Football Team of the Week Highlights
The group stages are in the books in both codes, and the last weekend before knockout football did not disappoint. High stakes, heavy hits, and a string of standout individual performances. From survival scraps to statement wins, this is your Echo Cork football Team of the Week across the top three grades.
Goalkeeper: Darren Ó Coill (Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh) 0-4 (2 tpf)
When Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh needed calm in the chaos, Ó Coill delivered. Three point-blank saves against Dohenys kept their grip on the game, but he didn’t stop there. He strode up the field to nail a couple of two-point frees, turning a solid goalkeeping display into a match-winning one as Ballingeary punched their ticket to the SAFC knockouts.
Corner-back: James Kelleher (Newcestown) 0-1
Newcestown needed someone to steady the ship against St Michael’s. Kelleher did exactly that. Rock solid in the corner, he picked his moment to pounce, forcing a crucial turnover that led to a David Buckley score and stretched the lead to seven before the break. He had already chipped in with a point himself, underlining a complete defensive performance.
Full-back: Harry Wixted (Bishopstown) 0-1
Bishopstown’s spine started with Wixted. Commanding at full-back in the win over Clyda, he marshalled the square with authority and then produced one of the weekend’s eye-catching moments – a volleyed effort, more at home on a soccer pitch, that sailed over for a memorable point.
Corner-back: Ed Leahy (Aghada)
Given the job of shadowing Castletownbere danger man Fintan Fenner, Leahy didn’t blink. He stuck to his task, limited the sharpshooter’s influence and helped Aghada secure a vital win that eased any lingering relegation fears.
Half-back: Pádraig Britton (Mallow) 0-2
Mallow may be out, but they didn’t leave quietly. Britton was central to their toppling of the reigning champions, clipping two crucial points and repeatedly driving down the flank. His energy and aggression epitomised a superb result and performance that still, cruelly, wasn’t enough to escape the group.
Centre-back: Brian O’Driscoll (Carrigaline) 0-2 (1 tp)
Back in the side, back in command. O’Driscoll orchestrated Carrigaline’s third straight group win, dictating the tempo from the heart of the defence. He hoovered up possession, drew a string of frees and tagged on 0-2, including a two-pointer, as Carrig swept past Douglas and strode straight into the semi-finals.
Half-back: Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
Some players just set a standard. Collins did it again. As Castlehaven brushed aside Knocknagree, he was typically influential, reading the game, using the ball smartly and ensuring the Haven moved through to the quarter-finals without fuss.
Midfielder: Jack McCarthy (Carrigaline) 0-3
Carrigaline’s dominance against Douglas started in the middle, where McCarthy simply took over. He covered ground relentlessly, contested everything in the air and still found the composure to knock over 0-3. A complete midfielder’s display in a statement team performance.
Midfielder: Conor Cahalane (Castlehaven) 1-5
Cahalane ran the show for Castlehaven. From the middle third he dictated attacks, chased back tirelessly and produced the game’s headline moment when a long ball dropped into the net. Add in a string of fine scores and you get a towering contribution at both ends of the pitch.
Half-forward: Michael O’Rourke (Mallow) 0-4 (1 tp)
If Mallow had a heartbeat in their win over the Barrs, it was O’Rourke. He struck 0-4, including a two-pointer, but his influence went far beyond his tally. Constantly on the move, linking play and creating chances, he pulled the strings in a performance that deserved a longer championship run.
Centre-forward: Ed Ó Mír (Naomh Abán) 0-9 (2 tp, 0-1 f)
Naomh Abán’s form man stayed hot. Ó Mír top scored again, rattling off an outstanding 0-9. Eight of those came from play, two of them two-pointers, as he tormented Nemo’s second string. His accuracy and variety in shooting powered the Gaeltacht side to a group-topping win.
Half-forward: Cathal Vaughan (Uibh Laoire) 0-6 (1 tpf, 1 tp, 0-1 f)
The Joneses might grab the headlines for Uibh Laoire, but Vaughan quietly keeps matching the hype. Against Rockchapel he was exceptional, finishing with 0-6 that included a two-point free, another two-pointer from play and a placed ball. Classy, composed and ruthless when it mattered.
Corner-forward: Brian Coakley (Carrigaline) 0-9 (3 tpf, 1 tp)
Up front for Carrigaline, Coakley ticked like a metronome. Every swing of his boot looked destined for the target as he racked up 0-9, mixing three two-point frees with a two-pointer from play and a stream of scores from distance. His reliability outside the arc, from play and dead balls, makes him central to Carrig’s push for a PSFC final.
Full-forward: Seán McEvoy (Clonakilty) 2-4
Clonakilty dominated, and McEvoy lit the fuse. He tore into the game from the off, hitting 2-4 from play in a ruthless display of finishing. His first-half surge put Clon in control; his second goal, Clon’s third, slammed the door shut.
Corner-forward: Arthur Coakley (Bantry Blues) 2-3 (1-0 pen, 0-2 f)
When Bantry Blues needed a hero, Coakley stepped forward. He opened their account with the first score, buzzed dangerously throughout and buried his first goal to send them clear. The decisive moment came late: a coolly taken penalty that consigned Glanmire to the relegation playoff and underlined his nerve on the biggest kick of their season so far.
Substitutes
Impact off the bench can tilt a weekend, and this lot made sure it did:
- Colm O’Neill (Glanmire) 0-8 (3 tpf, 0-2 f) – Kept the scoreboard moving with a sharp display of shooting.
- Cillian Murphy (Éire Óg) 0-2 – Chipped in with valuable scores.
- Jonathan Rosales Harrington (Castletownbere) – Added fresh legs and drive.
- Thomas Clancy (Clonakilty) 0-2 (1 tp) – Made his mark with a two-pointer and another score.
- Sam Copps (Mallow) 0-1 – Continued Mallow’s momentum with a neat point.
- Rory Maguire (Castlehaven) – Brought physical presence and experience.
- Gary Holland (Bishopstown) 0-5 (0-1 f) – Fired over five, including a free, to underline Bishopstown’s attacking edge.
- Daragh Hayes (Carbery Rangers) 1-5 – A huge contribution off the bench, goal and all.
- Michael Quirke (Ballinora) 2-3 – Explosive cameo, two goals and three points.
- Ben Twomey (Fermoy) 0-7 (1 tp) – A constant threat, clipping over seven with a two-pointer in the mix.
- Jack Murphy (Éire Óg) 0-5 (0-1 f) – Reliable and composed, he kept the pressure on with five points.
The groups are done. The margins get thinner from here. If this is the standard in September, what will the knockouts look like?
