John Horgan on hurling: Cork clubs on the rise after brilliant group games

Friday night and the weekend’s Cork county hurling group-stage run left plenty on the line, including multiple matches decided in the closing stages. Bandon edged Russell Rovers in Intermediate A on Friday, while Ballinhassig and Carrigtwohill finished deadlocked in Senior A. On Sunday, Sarsfields overcame Douglas, setting up the “slan leat” showdown against Fr O’Neill’s, with the result determining which remains premier senior. The headline upset was Blackrock’s elimination from the Premier SHC by Kanturk. Kanturk, winners by 11 points, topped their group and reached a quarter-final against Sarsfields. Sarsfields advanced with a second-half surge after leading by two at half-time.