Hurlers look to build on impressive opener
The football leagues take a break this weekend so the focus on the men’s side will be on Kieran Kingston’s hurlers as they hope to build on the win over Clare, with a trip to Birr where Offaly will provide the opposition.
There’s a big game for the Cork Ladies footballers who take their bow in the league under new manager Shane Roynane, against the All-Ireland Champions Meath in Navan.
Allianz NHL D1 Group A
Cork v Offaly at St Brendan’s Park Birr on Sunday at 2pm
“Happy enough with the win and for the most part the way we played, but some aspects disappointed me but look it’s our first competitive game of the season so it’s nice to get the two points.” Those were the thoughts of Kieran Kingston on the win over Clare.
Kieran also pointed out that a lot of the players will be playing third level this week and that will influence the starting 15 for the trip to Birr. “In the condensed season you do not want to overload players especially so early in the year, but we got game time into players tonight and that’s important.”
The manager was impressed by the contribution of the league debutants. “Ciaran (Joyce) had an excellent game and hit some great points, while Sean (Twomey) had a long season with his club, picked up a knock but worked hard.”
“We will hope to make progress in the league. We have only two home games so this is a good start, our approach will be to try and win every game.”
As for the closing quarter in which Clare outscored Cork, Kieran had this to say: “The game was probably won at that stage, both sides used their full complement of substitutes and it was a bit ragged but we need to close out games and play for the 70 plus minutes.”
So the message from the manager was clear, “overall happy with the win but plenty to work on in the weeks ahead”.
Clare who were missing a few players started well and Mark Rodgers goal put them in front. That goal sparked Cork into life and they hit 1-10 without reply to effectively seal the win.
The half-back line of Tim O’Mahoney, Mark Coleman and Robert Downey apart from playing well all got on the scoreboard; Shane Kingston also impressed, Ciaran Joyce and Darragh Fitzgibbon between them landed 0-7, and the impact from the bench was also important.
Good also to see Ger Mellerick return from injury and he got in an amount of good work for the 70 minutes.
Offaly who have gone through a few difficult years, even dropping out of the Liam McCarthy Cup, are making strides under Michael Fennelly but could find the step up this year a tough one, if the evidence of last Sunday in Salthill is an indicator.
To be fair to the Ballyhale-Shamrock’s man, he admitted as much after the game: “This is a learning process, we will take the lessons from today and move on to Cork next Sunday.”
Fennelly will look for an improved display and maybe the tighter confines of the Birr, rather than Tullamore might suit his developing team.
It should feature Conor Clancy, Ciaran Burke, Ben Conneely, Leon Fox, Luke O’Connor and local Birr player Eoghan Cahill.
The composition of the Cork team will be interesting depending how the lads involved with third level fare midweek - disappointingly both UCC and MTU lost their quarter-finals. It will probably shape the selectors’ thinking.
Alan Cadogan picked up a knock in the game as did Sean Twomey, while Damien Cahalane was also ruled out with an injury.
Patrick Horgan did not feature off the bench and may start this encounter giving the selectors plenty of options.
Whatever 15 is named, Cork should be too strong for Offaly and make it two from two before facing Galway at home in a couple of weeks time.
The game is live on C103.
Ladies Football
With 5 minutes left in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, Cork looked all set to reach the final, what transpired in those closing minutes changed the course of the championship.
Meath rallied and forced extra-time -which they won - and then went on to beat a four-in-a-row chasing Dublin in the final and that result broke the dominance that Cork and Dublin had enjoyed in the championship. It was a well deserved win for the ladies from the Royal County.
Now they start this season as the team to beat as they endeavour to build on that outstanding achievement and they will relish the challenge Cork will present in Páirc Tailtean in Navan on Saturday at 1.30pm.
It’s all changed in Cork now of course, Shane Roynane is the new manager with his own backroom team in place. Maire O’Callaghan is the captain and they too will set out with a sense of purpose to re-establish themselves as a force in the game.
Of Cork’s three games in the group, two are away from home. A week after the Meath game they head to Croke Park to face Dublin and conclude with a home game to Waterford, no room for error then.
Mourneabbey’s defeat in the recent All-Ireland club final might shape the selection of the team given that it was a long campaign. Equally the players might look to get back on the horse quickly and with Meath the opposition, there’s an extra bit of motivation.
The Cork panel is a mixture of youth and experience with Laura Fitzgerald, Elle Jack, Orla Finn, Mellissa Duggan and Martina O’Brien all included.
Of course en route to that final Mourneabbey had an easy win over Dunboyne in the semi-final, so a renewal of rivalry of sorts from players involved in that game.
Meath will, with it been their first home game as champions, probably field the majority of the team that made that historic breakthrough last September, among them Vikki Wall, Monica McGuirk, Shauna Ennis and Orlaith Duff, they will be keen to start with a win especially at home.
With it been a first outing for both teams, it’s hard to predict a winner but with home advantage and the expectation of a large home crowd might just give Meath the edge, but it would be foolish to write off this Cork team.
Camogie
Just one game this weekend with the Cork playing Dublin in the second round of the Tesco All-Ireland Minor Championship in Castle Road on Sunday at 2pm and having got the better of Galway in difficult conditions in their opening game, another win here will see them progress to the knockout phase of this Championship, in which they were beaten by Kilkenny in last year’s final.
The Ashbourne Cup Final is also down for decision on Sunday and hopefully UCC will have qualified as their semi-final was last night (Wednesday).
Championship draws
The first rounds of the Co-Op Super Stores and Bon Secours County C’ship’s in all grades may be sometime away yet but clubs now know their opponents following the draws last Tuesday night, and as usual, some intriguing groups emerged.
In Premier Senior Hurling no doubt Group C is the toughest with Blackrock, Sars, Charleville and St Finbarr’s vying for the two spots.
Champions Midleton are grouped with Douglas, Newtownshandrum and Kanturk and with a new coach, not yet announced, there is nothing easy here.
The final group will see beaten finalists Glen Rovers under new management, paired with Northside rivals Na Piarsaigh, Bishopstown and Erin’s Own.
In Premier Senior Football champions St Finbarr’s will lock horns in Group A with Eire Og who they beat in the QF last year, Carrigaline and Carbery Rangers.
The so called ‘group of death’ is easy to pick. It features Castlehaven, runners-up Clonakilty, Nemo Rangers and Newcestown, pick two from that, I wish you luck.
Group B has Douglas, Valley Rovers, Ballincollig and Mallow, mention of the latter they lost a valued member with the passing of their President Sean Cooney earlier this week, sincere sympathy to his family and his club colleagues, Sean rendered the GAA in many facets outstanding service and his presence in Carrigoon will be missed.
In the coming weeks we will look at other grades and have a go at picking who might emerge from the groups, which should be fun.
Cork football
A draw that could have been a win or equally a loss, but having played poorly in Roscommon, this was an improvement against a more experienced Clare side and it might yet prove invaluable in the overall context of staying in the division.
Next up is a trip to Derry in two weeks time, by then the St Finbarr’s contingent might come into consideration for selection and a few of the injury worries might have cleared up. That is going to be another tough test as the Ulster side have impressed in their two wins to date.
Manager Keith Ricken also confirmed after the game that Mark Collins would not be involved for the coming season and he paid tribute to the Castlehaven player for his outstanding contribution in his 11 years wearing the Cork jersey.
Best of luck to Mark and many thanks for his help over the years, before or after games he was a pleasure to deal with, and I promise we will have that game of golf, might rope in Colm O’Neill and Seanie Powter to join us!