Matthew Hurley

Jan 18, 2025 | southernstar.ie | Matthew Hurley

THE Beamish Cup kicked off with a bang last weekend, and a few shock results. As well as Ardfield dumping Dunmanway Town out after a thrilling 4-3 preliminary-round win, there was a surprise too when Castletown Celtic, semi-finalists the last two seasons, were hammered 6-1 by Premier Division strugglers Togher Celtic. Togher surged 3-1 ahead by half time as Cathal Daly, Niall Hurley and Robbie Lucey all rattled the net while Aaron Draper pulled one back for Castletown.

Jan 17, 2025 | southernstar.ie | Matthew Hurley

REWIND back to January 2023 when Bantry man Barry O’Donovan, who set up a Brazilian jiu-jitsu club in his home town, spoke of his desire to eventually train a world champion. Now, 12 months on, the club is right on track as it continues to grow and develop. The 4 Honor Academy in Bantry has six fighters competing in the European Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Lisbon, starting this Friday, 17th, and running until Saturday week.

Jan 17, 2025 | southernstar.ie | Matthew Hurley

THERE was a Bandon connection to Watergrasshill’s All-Ireland club intermediate hurling championship final triumph last weekend. Former Bandon player Adam Murphy was the star of the show for his home club, as he scored 1-8 (1-5 from play) in the East Cork side’s 2-15 to 0-18 win against Galway’s Tynagh Abbey Duniry in Croke Park. He was named man-of-the-match after his heroics. ‘It’s hard to put into words.

Jan 17, 2025 | southernstar.ie | Matthew Hurley

At half time of extra time, Kilmurry led 2-9 to 0-12 in their AIB All-Ireland club junior football semi-final against Donegal’s Naomh Pádraig in Parnell Park after a Rory Duggan goal. But by the end, the Muskerry men heartbreakingly lost in the lottery of a penalty shoot out. Regardless of the result, the Mid Cork club did their parish and the county of Cork proud in taking the Ulster champions all the way.

Jan 14, 2025 | southernstar.ie | Matthew Hurley

John Cleary’s side will be hoping there won’t be a repeat of their clash against the Royals in 2023 when they lost 3-14 to 0-19 at home on the first day of that league season. Steven Sherlock scored 0-14 that day, but he’s not involved in the upcoming season. The Rebels have lost five of their last seven opening league games, the only exceptions being a draw with Fermanagh in 2019 and a win against Offaly in 2020. The latter being in Division 3.