Nemo and Barrs dominate selections in The Echo’s Cork Football Team of the Week

Group stages done, the knockout rounds beckoning. Before the dust fully settles, here’s the latest instalment of The Echo’s Cork Football Team of the Week, a XV that spans the top three grades and salutes the weekend’s standouts — with nine more deserving of a nod from the bench.

Goalkeeper: Chris Kelly (Éire Óg) 0-5 (2 tpf, 0-1 45)

It was a week for goalkeepers making themselves heard on the scoreboard, and Kelly edged it. Calm under pressure, clinical with the dead ball, his five points were the difference in Éire Óg’s victory over Kilshannig. Every kick mattered, and Kelly made them count. Kanturk’s Ronan Cashman unlucky to miss out.

Corner-back: Mark Hill (Nemo Rangers)

Stepped up seamlessly this year after playing with the intermediates last year, Hill was rock solid all throughout against St Michael’s in a contest where their defensive strength against the wind played such a key role.

Full-back: Jamie Burns (St Finbarr’s)

Commanding. Carrigaline were smothered before they even reached the danger zone, with Burns picking off ball after ball. A statement performance at the heart of a dominant win.

Corner-back: JP Murphy (Ballincollig) 0-1

When Ballincollig needed steel, Murphy gave them steel. And when they needed a score, he popped upfield to split the posts. Impeccable balance of defence and ambition.

Half-back: Seán White (Clonakilty)

White is Clon’s metronome. Even in worsening conditions, he dictated pace and distribution, always using the ball with clarity. Everything flowed smoother with him in possession.

Centre-back: Sean Meehan (Kiskeam)

Outstanding at six, Meehan produced a complete display against Castletownbere. Alert, aggressive, and intelligent with every decision.

Half-back: Danny Ó Conaill (Cill na Martra) 0-1

A point of real class in the first half set the tone. With licence to roam, Ó Conaill drove his team forward relentlessly in their win over Clyda Rovers.

Midfielder: Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s) 0-1

Maguire’s greatness lies in how routine he makes it all look. Against Carrigaline he was once more the fulcrum, powering through contests and even clipping a score for good measure.

Midfielder: Cathal Browne (Newmarket) 0-2

Newmarket’s year ended earlier than hoped, but Browne’s consistency never wavered. Two points from midfield in a Duhallow derby with Kanturk was a fitting sign-off.

Half-forward: Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers) 1-7 (1-0 pen, 1 tp, 1 tpf, 0-2 f)

The beating heart of Nemo’s attack. Scored 1-7, set up two more, and his fingerprints were on every major moment, from the penalty he dispatched to the third goal’s flowing move.

Centre-forward: Steven Sherlock (St Finbarr’s) 1-14 (3 tpf, 1 tpsdl, 0-2 f, 0-1 45)

Fifteen scores, including a two-point sideline. Enough said. Sherlock is back at full tilt, and when he hits rhythm, there’s no one like him. His tally bests what most inter-county hurlers produce at club level.

Half-forward: Tadhg Twomey (Newcestown) 0-5

Five points against the champions and three wins from three for Newcestown. Twomey’s steady hand ensured they finished the groups on a high.

Corner-forward: Luke Casey (Aghabullogue) 1-4

Soccer on Saturday night, 1-4 on Sunday. Casey’s sharpness carried Aghabullogue to a perfect group record.

Full-forward: Dave Scannell (Kiskeam) 2-4

A match-winning haul at just the moment Kiskeam needed it. Two goals, four points, and the ticket to the quarter-finals.

Corner-forward: Bryan Hayes (Nemo Rangers) 0-6 (3 tp)

Not just the scores — though three orange flags tell their own story — but the assists as well, worth 1-2 on their own. Hayes was everywhere in Nemo’s dismantling of Michael’s.

Subs:

Ronan Cashman (Kanturk)

Dara Ó Loingsigh (Naomh Abán)

Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues)

Ricky Barrett (St Finbarr’s) 0-2

Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree) 1-2 (1 tp)

Darragh Gough (Clonakilty) 0-5 (0-1 f)

David Buckley (Newcestown) 0-5 (0-2 f)

Seán O’Riordan (Uibh Laoire) 2-0

Darragh Ó Laoire (Naomh Abán) 1-5 (2 tp)

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