Cork Team of the Week: Top Performers in Football Grades

Group stages done. Nerves shredded. And across Cork’s top three football grades, a rake of players stepped up when it mattered most. Here’s the Echo Cork Team of the Week – and there was no shortage of contenders.

Goalkeeper: Darren Ó Coill (Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh) 0-4 (2 tpf)

Ballingeary’s ticket to the SAFC knockouts has Ó Coill’s fingerprints all over it. Three point-blank stops against Dohenys kept them upright when the game threatened to tilt, and he then strode up the field to clip a couple of two-point frees for good measure. A goalkeeper and a scorer, and the undisputed hero of the hour.

Corner-back: James Kelleher (Newcestown) 0-1

When St Michael’s asked questions, Kelleher answered them calmly. Rock-solid when Newcestown craved stability, he picked their pockets for a crucial turnover that led to a David Buckley score, stretching the lead to seven before the break. He’d already chipped in with a point himself. Defence first, but far from only.

Full-back: Harry Wixted (Bishopstown) 0-1

Wixted marshalled the square superbly in Bishopstown’s win over Clyda, organising, intercepting, and snuffing out danger. Then he produced a moment of pure flair – a soccer-style volleyed point that drew a roar. A leader at the back with a highlight-reel finish.

Corner-back: Ed Leahy (Aghada)

Given the job nobody really wants: track Castletownbere marksman Fintan Fenner. Leahy stuck to the task, limited the damage, and helped Aghada secure a vital win that eased any relegation fears. No frills, just hard, disciplined defending.

Half-back: Pádraig Britton (Mallow) 0-2

Mallow may have fallen just short of escaping their group, but Britton left his mark. He raided forward for two crucial points as they toppled the reigning champions and was a constant outlet down the flank, driving the north Cork side on in a performance that deserved more than an early exit.

Centre-back: Brian O’Driscoll (Carrigaline) 0-2 (1 tp)

Back in the side and back in command. O’Driscoll dictated Carrigaline’s win over Douglas from the first whistle to the last. He hoovered up possession, drew a string of frees, and chipped in with 0-2, including a two-pointer, as Carrig completed a perfect three-from-three to march straight into the semi-finals.

Half-back: Mark Collins (Castlehaven)

Same story, different weekend. Collins delivered yet again for Castlehaven, knitting play together and driving them forward as they saw off Knocknagree. He set the tone in a performance that carried the Haven smoothly into the quarter-finals.

Midfield: Jack McCarthy (Carrigaline) 0-3

McCarthy owned the middle third for Carrigaline. Relentless work-rate, constant availability, and then the end product: 0-3 from midfield in a tight, high-stakes game against Douglas. He didn’t just graft; he hurt the opposition on the scoreboard too.

Midfield: Conor Cahalane (Castlehaven) 1-5

Cahalane ran the show for the Haven. A long ball that dropped into the net, a string of eye-catching scores, and a huge shift without the ball. He patrolled the middle, tackled, chased, and still had the legs and composure to finish with 1-5. Complete midfield display.

Half-forward: Michael O’Rourke (Mallow) 0-4 (1 tp)

O’Rourke was the pulse of Mallow’s shock win over the Barrs. He finished with 0-4, including a two-pointer, and had a hand in plenty more scores, constantly linking play and picking the right option. When Mallow needed clarity in the chaos, he provided it.

Centre-forward: Ed Ó Mír (Naomh Abán) 0-9 (2 tp, 0-1 f)

Naomh Abán’s main man did it again. Ó Mír top-scored with a superb 0-9, eight of those from play, and two of them worth double. He tormented Nemo’s second string, mixing clever movement with ruthless finishing as the Gaeltacht side sealed top spot in their group.

Half-forward: Cathal Vaughan (Uibh Laoire) 0-6 (1 tpf, 1 tp, 0-1 f)

The Joneses have grabbed the headlines for Uibh Laoire in this PIFC run, but Vaughan quietly stole the show against Rockchapel. He clipped 0-6, including a two-point free and another two-pointer from play, and oozed class throughout. A former Cork senior playing like one.

Corner-forward: Brian Coakley (Carrigaline) 0-9 (3 tpf, 1 tp)

Metronomic. Coakley was ice-cold in front of goal as Carrigaline dismantled Douglas. From outside the arc, from play or placed balls, he barely missed, racking up 0-9 with three two-point frees and a two-pointer from play. If Carrig are to reach the PSFC final, his boot will be central to the story.

Full-forward: Seán McEvoy (Clonakilty) 2-4

McEvoy shredded the defence with a devastating 2-4 from play. He set the tone early, his first-half incision putting Clonakilty firmly in control. When the game needed sealing, he reappeared with Clon’s third and his second goal. Ruthless, clinical, decisive.

Corner-forward: Arthur Coakley (Bantry Blues) 2-3 (1-0 pen, 0-2 f)

When Bantry needed a saviour, Coakley stepped forward. He opened their account with the first score, stayed dangerous all afternoon, and buried his first goal to send them clear. Then came the big moment: a late penalty, pressure sky-high. He drilled it, condemning Glanmire to the relegation playoff and dragging Bantry to safety.

Substitutes

• Colm O’Neill (Glanmire) 0-8 (3 tpf, 0-2 f) – Came off the bench and almost turned the tide with a prolific scoring burst.
• Cillian Murphy (Éire Óg) 0-2 – Impact sub who made his minutes count.
• Jonathan Rosales Harrington (Castletownbere) – Added fresh energy when it was needed.
• Thomas Clancy (Clonakilty) 0-2 (1 tp) – Chipped in with a two-pointer to keep Clon ticking over.
• Sam Copps (Mallow) 0-1 – Another Mallow sub who kept the pressure on.
• Rory Maguire (Castlehaven) – Brought power and presence to the Haven’s spine.
• Gary Holland (Bishopstown) 0-5 (0-1 f) – Sharpshooting cameo that underpinned Bishopstown’s win.
• Daragh Hayes (Carbery Rangers) 1-5 – A lethal contribution in limited time.
• Michael Quirke (Ballinora) 2-3 – Two goals off the bench is a statement in any grade.
• Ben Twomey (Fermoy) 0-7 (1 tp) – Kept the scoreboard moving with a fine tally.
• Jack Murphy (Éire Óg) 0-5 (0-1 f) – Reliable and composed when the game tightened.

The group stages have cleared the stage. With performances like these, the knockouts are about to get very interesting.