Premier Division top four reach Mick Mooney Cup last four!

THE composition of this season’s Mooney Cup last four was decided last Sunday when holders Satellite Taxis qualified to meet UCC Utd. and Doolan’s Cow made it through to set up a repeat of the 2017 decider against Quinlan’s Bar, writes Finbarr Buckley.

Satellite were first into the fray when they faced Cork Eagles in their quarter-final encounter at Deerpark Secondary School last Sunday morning. Despite an early 5th minute opener from Shane Hennessy, the visitors settled to shade the rest of the first-half, hitting the post midways through and forcing Satellite keeper Cian Hammond into a number of fine saves. Hennessy completed his hat-trick with two further goals before the hour with subs Pa Cronin and Red Geaney completing a comfortable win for the hosts with two further goals in the final quarter. Simon Irwin, Ross Healy and Alex Coughlan impressed for the defending champions.

Doolan’s Cow 2 – 1 OBS 

Doolan’s Cow edged past OBS, the last first division opposition left in the competition, to seal a third semi-final spot in four years. James Cotter’s neat flick on in a crowded area was driven in by Liam Horgan, despite keeper Keith Daly getting his hand to the ball, to give the hosts a 5th minute lead with Horgan instrumental in setting up Stephen McCarthy for a second twenty minutes later. Mick Brown reduced the deficit with twenty minutes remaining when he headed in Nyall O’Brien’s cross at the far post after Arainn McGrath’s long throw in the corner released the striker in space. Brown went close to equalizing when he rounded James Murphy put could only find the side netting and later had a free-kick deflected over. Daly, Gerry Lyons and wide men Brown and Jack Cotter shone for the visitors.

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UCC United 2 – 3 Quinlan’s Bar

Quinlan’s kept their hopes of a first premier title alive with a moral boosting win over champions UCC Utd. at The Farm. The defeat leaves United’s tile defence hanging by a thread as they now need to bridge a seven point gap with just five matches remaining. Eric Mongomery capitalized on hesitancy in the Quinlan’s back-four to give the hosts an early advantage before Chrissy Bell send Damien O’Mahony scampering though to cross from the end-line for Ciarán McCarthy to head Quinlan’s level before half-time. McCarthy’s hook over the top was headed in by Gary Gould with Graham Hosford supplying Bell with the opportunity to head a third for the visitors with less ten minutes remaining. Montgomery’s late penalty wasn’t enough to rescue a point for the hosts. Hosford and Diarmuid Kenneally were immense for the winners throughout.

Cork International 0 – 4 Healy O’Connor Solicitors
Healy’s, without a competitive game since losing to International in the Mooney Cup first round back on January 20th, gained revenge by beating their opponents for the second time in the league courtesy of a Francis O’Callaghan hat-trick and a Shane Dwyer fourth.

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Dell EMC 5  – 2 Co. Council

Dell rocked leaders Co. Council with two goals inside the opening five minutes from Dave Busteed, a long range shot, and a second from man-of-the-match Kevin O’Connor who lobbed the keeper from the edge of the area. Although Jason Crowley and Michael Ryan got Council back on level terms before the break, Sean Holmes restored Dell’s lead five minutes into the second 45 with a shot on the turn. O’Connor’s run on goal was halted by Paul Barry and from the resultant free-kick O’Connor stretched the host’s lead to 4-2 in the 70th minute. Mark Foley finished the scoring in style with Dell’s fifth with ten minutes remaining to secure the points for the Matt Tiffany and Cathal O’Sullivan inspired winners.

Dalton’s Pharmacy 5 – 0 20/20 Glazing

Dalton’s surprised title chasing Glazing with goals from Anthony Long (2), Jason O’Sullivan, Steven Kiely and Pierce Purcell to move up to fifth in the table.

VoxPro 3 – 4 SCS Crookstown United 

Crookstown United continue to defy the odds in their first season by winning for the eight time to leapfrog 20/20 Glazing into second in the table, three points behind leaders Co.Council with three matches in hand, and a realistic prospect of winning the title at the first time of asking.  Michael Deasy got the ball rolling with Crookstown’s first and despite Paul Byrne levelling, Greg Fitton quickly restored United’s lead. Byrne and Paul Coveney added two for VoxPro before half-time only for Liam Wall and Charles Kenneally to seal a third win on the road for the West Cork outfit with two unanswered second-half goals.

Planet (Cork) 6 – 1 Cork Hospitals  

The meeting of the bottom two ended up with Planet romping to a 6-1 win, their third of the campaign, to move out of the bottom two. Two each from Chris O’Reilly and Joe Cullagh and one apiece from Robert Egan and Darren Dinneen registered the goals for the winners with James Carroll on target for the visitors.