D-day for footballers in Croker

Following their dramatic win over Roscommon last Saturday, the reward for John Cleary’s men is a trip to HQ and a meeting with Dublin.

There’s yet another fixture clash for the camogie and ladies football teams - that surely could have been avoided. It defies logic how this continues to happen - it is well known that the camogie fixtures were finalised very early in the season and the Cork dates were released.

The Ladies Football Championship is slightly different as teams are seeded on where they finish in the respective provincial championship and only then are the groups for the All-Ireland series finalised.

For all that the ladies football fixture makers knew Cork were playing camogie on Saturday next, yet proceeded to fix the Cork ladies football team to play on the same day! Surely the ladies football game should have been on Sunday next. They talk about integration but if the camogie and ladies football can’t get their own houses in order, then heaven help us going forward.

The one saving grace from a Cork perspective is that the camogie team are already qualified and will be expected to beat Clare, which should free up the 3 players involved to play in what is a must-win football game. Come on sort it out, not doing your associations any favours with this carry on!

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Preliminary Quarter Final

Cork v Dublin on

Saturday in Croke Park at 6.15pm

“Look at this stage of the Championship there are no easy games, but going to Croke Park is not the worst scenario. Logistically it’s a short trip and when you get to play there, you know you are in a big game, so yeah we’re happy enough and looking forward to it,” said Cork manager John Cleary on Saturday’s game.

I would imagine there was a sigh of relief all round when they avoided a long trip to Ballybofey for what is now an intriguing encounter against the Dubs.

John is right; there are no easy games at this stage, but while this is a good Dublin team, they are not the formidable force they once were. They could not sustain that level of dominance and every era comes to an end.

Injuries hampered their early season and their loss to Meath in the Leinster semi-final was a shock, they were going for their 15th title in a row, but with injuries easing, they are back among the contenders to lift Sam.

Very few would have had them featuring at the Preliminary Quarter Final stage but their loss to Armagh sent them on this route, and that afternoon they were guilty of hitting 18 wides and 3 breaches of the ‘3 up’ rule which ultimately cost them the game.

They were though very much back to their best at the weekend overcoming a determined Derry side in 0-22 to 0-20 win to secure home venue for this game.

Could they be hitting form at the right time? John Cleary said: “I watched the Derry game and was very impressed. They are nearly back to full strength and maybe they are benefitting from a tough run of games rather than the soft run they had in Leinster recently.”

In that game Ciaran Kilkenny, Sean Bugler, Paddy Small, Cormac Costello, Con O’Callaghan and the evergreen Stephen Cluxton showed they have not lost any of their big match nous.

Cluxton’s kick-outs were a key factor in their win, how often have we said that, and Cork will certainly need to curb his influence.

The short turnaround for both teams is also a concern as John explained. “We were delighted with the win last Saturday, but very quickly we had to switch focus to this game and it’s the same for Dublin, but that’s the nature of the condensed season.”

John was thrilled with the application in the win over Roscommon coming as it did on the back of two defeats which left their season hanging by a thread.

“Fantastic - there is great character in this group, and it showed the way we defended in the last play was top class - resisted the temptation to foul as a 2 pointer would have ended our season.”

There is a slight concern over the fitness of Paul Walsh and that will be assessed before naming the team. John is happy that the injury situation is much better: “Most of the lads are back even Conor (Corbett) was in the panel for last week so all is okay there.”

And as for facing Dublin: “We know the quality they have but we always play well against them. I recall the league game, the last time we met, it took two great saves at the very end to win them that match. Okay championship is different but we will be ready for them no doubt about that.”

The players themselves are of the same opinion. “This could be a turning point for this team,” according to Colm O’Callaghan. What a game he had in Portlaoise - apart from kicking 2 brilliant points, his work rate and distribution was top class.

And what about his midfield partner Ian Maguire who was outstanding from start to finish winning the aerial battle and like Colm, kicked 2 points that could easily have been goals?

Daniel O’Mahony, whose late block was crucial, added: “We’re not just happy to be in the PQF we want and determined to go further in this championship and we hope that the journey continues for a bit yet.”

The starting 15 is unlikely to change Micheál Aodh made a game changing save and his kick outs were mostly spot on.

Sean Brady, Brian O’Driscoll and Matty Taylor are as dependable as ever.

Sean McDonnell, Mark Cronin, Brian Hurley and the Walshs Tommy and Paul clipped over some neat points.

Cathal O’Mahony, Ruairí Deane, Sean Powter and Eoghan McSweeney all made important contributions off the bench.

No doubt Dublin are favourites but it’s a one off game and Cork are well capable of upsetting the odds, but only if they produce a consistent 70 plus minutes and convert whatever goal chances that come their way.

As always, the match is live on C103.

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Championship

Cork v Clare on

Saturday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 2pm

This is a game Cork should and probably will win with a bit to spare, although Clare even if they are playing in Division 2, have won 2 games to date and are in contention for a QF spot.

The general consensus was that Cork and Tipperary would battle it out for the one semi-final spot on offer but Cork’s demolition of the Premier County has ensured that Ger Manley’s side will get that with a bit to spare.

Cork would appear to be well ahead of the chasing pack if results and more importantly performances are a guide and it will take a special team to deny them a 3 in a row.

That though is still a bit down the road and if the form of Amy Lee, Meabh Cahalane, Laura Hayes, Ashling Thompson and Clodagh Finn is maintained, they should comfortably make it 3 from 3 on Saturday.

Similarly the under 23 team are also unbeaten and they head to Cleaboy on Saturday to play Waterford at 2pm start here and again a win is on the cards here, to complete the group unbeaten and safely into the last four.

TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship

Cork v Mayo on Saturday at McHale Park Castlebar at 3pm

It is fair to say that Cork’s form has dipped considerably since the completion of the National League. Having secured their place back in Division 1 for next season, they subsequently lost the league final and wins have been hard to come by since.

In fact their only victory was in the Munster Championship against Tipperary and Kerry twice and Waterford have inflicted defeats on Joe Carroll’s side.

In fairness to Joe he said after last Saturday’s loss to Kerry: “That display won’t do next week against Mayo and we need a huge improvement if we are to keep our championship alive.”

It’s hard to put a finger on their dip in form, a couple of injuries has not helped, while the loss of Erika O’Shea robs them of a quality and very experienced player, something they could do with right now.

They had an excellent 1st half against Kerry, but the concession of 2 goals early in the 2nd half undid a lot of their good work and their return of just 3 points in that half will also be a concern.

The view was that it would always come down to this as All-Ireland champions Kerry were almost certain to top the group, which they have so it's a big game on Saturday.

Mayo have also slipped down the pecking order, but playing at home will help, but if Katie Quirke, Emma Cleary, Aine Terry O’Sullivan, Hannah Looney, Abbie O’Mahony and Laura O’Mahony play well, Cork might just do enough to get over the line.

Billy Twomey RIP

Billy’s passing on Monday severed a lifelong link with Ballyphehane GAA a club he served with distinction on and off the field and was club president at the time of his death.

Personally I knew Billy from a very young age, we were neighbours in Connolly Road, then played with him, for him and served as an officer with him where I leaned an awful lot from his vast knowledge of GAA administration. He worked tirelessly for his club through good times and bad times and it’s thanks to his efforts that they are thriving once again.

He also had great wit; boy could he tell some stories, but above all he was one of nature’s gentlemen that I was privileged to know and work with.

Sincere sympathy to his family, friends and his colleagues in Ballyphehane GAA, they are all the poorer with his passing.

Rest easy a chara.