The calm before the...
Given what is coming down the track next week it is nice to have a somewhat quite weekend coming up after the hectic schedule of the past few weeks.
A big camogie final on Saturday along with seven county hurling league finals down for decision.
The performance by the Cork hurlers last Saturday was something special and while they were always expected to win, the margin of victory was to say the least beyond expectations. Dublin to their credit battled to the end but just could not match the pace, intensity and skill level that Cork had.
The goals were just top class, and the pleasing aspect was the unselfish nature of the forwards always willing to give the pass to the better positioned player, at least five of the goals came from team work that has been crafted on the training field.
4-7 from the full forward line in the first half alone was testimony to the damage that trio can inflict on any defence, and they have been doing it all season. The final of course will be much different, a first Cork v Tipperary which will make for a unique occasion, as All-Ireland Final day always is.
It will be fourth meeting between these age old rivals in over 11 months, Cork have won three convincingly while Tipperary won the league encounter on a wet and windy night in February. Liam Cahill has really transformed this team and they will be determined to avenge those results.
The second semi-final was marred by the scoreboard controversy at the end and while Tipperary were deserving winners, Kilkenny can feel aggrieved that they were misled by the score and with points on offer they went for goals.
In the end the block by the Tipperary defender in the last play saved the blushes of the GAA. Had it went in, it was a win for Kilkenny and not extra-time as everyone expected.
It’s all done and dusted now and the stage is set. Now if we could only get a ticket. More on this game in next week’s column.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Under 23 Camogie Final
Cork v Galway on Saturday at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick at 2pm
“When this championship was introduced at the start of the year we set out to win it and at the same time use it as a development for players to go on and play with the senior team so we are delighted to be in the final.”
Those were the words of Cork coach Danny Morrissey after the win over Tipperary in the semi-final. It is somewhat unique set up in that Senior Manager Ger Manley manages both teams but as Ger was with the senior team that afternoon Danny took control. It is an arrangement that has worked well.
The fact that the senior team were always likely to top their group and go direct to the semi-final also helped as a number of players who are on both panels were free to play in the Under 23 semi-final as a consequence strengthening the team.
Cork actually topped the group but were deducted two points after using 16 players in the 18 point victory Kilkenny, but Danny said: “We were winning easily and a player got injured and the sixth sub was put on as a ‘blood sub’ after consultation with the fourth official but these things happen and it’s now behind us.”
Niamh Mac Nabola is a key player and really enjoying the season: “It’s very good we have a great bond within the squad and the management team work hard on our game plan and so far it’s been a success. We are really looking forward to (the final). Finals are special and especially as this is the first one at this level, but Galway will be hard to beat, we did get the better of them in the group stage, but finals are once off and we will need to be at our best to win.”
Galway have been strong at under-age level in recent years, in fact this year they defeated Cork in the All-Ireland Minor Final, and with their seniors in the semi-final, just like Cork, they will relish this opportnunity to reverse the group result.
They had a titanic battle with Kilkenny in the semi-final getting over the line by just one point and they will take confidence also from that result. Aoibhe Joyce, Katie Gilchrist, Ava Bloomer, Cora Kenny, Niamh Mc Inerney and free taker Laura Kelly big players for the Cathal Murray managed side.
Cork have had an exceptional year winning the Munster Championship after extra-time against Tipperary and are unbeaten, on the field at least, while they were impressive in the semi-final win again over Tipperary.
They started slowly enough even if Claudia Keane did get an early goal, but lost their way for a bit before eventually taking control. Cork are a well-balanced and pacy team with Amy Sheppard, Millie Condon, Meabh Ring, Ava Fitzgerald, Daire O’Brien, Rose Murphy, Tara Mc Carthy and Eimear Duignan have been the standout players throughout this campaign.
Yes, final’s are once off but the depth and quality Cork have make them strong favourites to win this innagarual championship.
Meanwhile in the senior championship the semi-final darw has seen Cork paired with Waterford and Galway meeting Tipperary. Both games are in Nowlan Park on Saturday 26 July with the times to be confirmed.
Mc Carthy Insurance Group Premier Senior Football Championship
Muskerry v Duhallow on Tuesday 7.30pm (venue to be confirmed)
The final of this section should be a lively affair, and by arrangement Duhallow will have home venue, between two very good teams. Muskerry, with their seven goals in beating Carbery, will be concerned that they were outplayed in midfield and saw their opponents hit 13 wides along with their tally of 1-18. That said they really punished with the West Cork division with some quality goals,and as they say ‘goals win games’.
Chris Og Jones bagged three, Ian Jones, Alan Quinn, Liam O’Connor and Cillian O’Donovan also netted.
Neil Lordan, William Ronan, Daniel O’Ceallaigh and Paul Ring also impressed for a side that with limited preparation played well.
Their opposition Duhallow have always been contenders at this level, prepare well and have some very experienced players on their team.
Donnacha O’Connor is still leading by example, while Luke Murphy (1-7 in the win over UCC), Colin Walsh, Seamus Hickey, Jack Curtin, Conor O’Callaghan, Sean Meehan and Conor Murphy backbone a side that were disappointed to lose last year’s final to Tuesday’s opponents.
It was the first time in a while that Muskerry advanced to the quarter final of the championship proper. They will be determined to retain that title, but the odd’s favour Duhallow shading this one.
County Hurling League Finals
Last weekend six of the seven football finals were decided, the D3 final is on 18 July so now it’s the turn of the hurling clubs to chase the first silverware of the season.
In all cases, D1 the exception, promotion and relegation has been resolved so what’s on offer is in most cases bonus territory.
Carrigtwohil on Saturday at 3pm will see Sars and the ‘Barr’s battle it out for the D1 title and only fitting it’s at the venue of the late Denis Conroy whose cup will be presented to the winners. Sars are actually going for three in a row, while the ‘Barr’s are bidding for a double having won the football equivalent last week, I suppose you could say a treble as they are already Senior Camogie League winners.
It’s unlikely, with the All Ireland final a week later, panel players will be released and that will impact both teams.
Ben Cunningham’s return for injury will boost the ‘Barrs but will it be enough to deny Sars a thid title on the bounce?
Killeagh ,with the Walsh’s impressing, face Midleton in D2 on Sunday in Castlemartyr at 5pm
Newcestown and Bride Rovers contest the D3 Final in Riverstowon on Saturday 7pm, while in D4 Ballinhassig is the venue for the meeting of Bandon and Inniscarra. As for D6 it’s Glen Rovers v Cloyne in Caherlag both on Friday night at 7.30pm.
Ballyhea and Aghabullogue meet in the D5 final 1pm on Sunday in Glantane and the D7 decider features Killavullen and Diarmuid O’Mathuna’s in Ballyanley 7pm on Saturday night.
Plenty to whet the appetite there for Sunday week and with the sun expected to shine it should make for an interesting weekend. Best of luck to all participants.