Cork hurling championship takes centre stage this week
After the excitement and it was a cracking weekend of football, the opening games across all five grades of the Co-Op Superstores County Hurling Championship get underway and some very interesting games are down for decision.
Premier Senior
Group 1
Glen Rovers v Erin’s Own at Páirc Uí Rinn
There is an East Cork feel to this group, with Glen Rovers the exception, and they face a side that has troubled a lot of fancied sides in the past, including Glen beating them in a first round game a couple of years ago.
The Caherlag team have been consistent performers at this level.
The introduction of several young players has bolstered their squad among them Finn O’Brien, Peter O’Shea and Cian Dunphy who featured with the Cork U20 team this year and of course the threat the Robbie O’Flynn carries in attack.
Glen Rovers had a good league campaign, as did Erins Own to be fair, and the addition of Michael Mullins will help along with of course the trio of Cork stars Eoin and Rob Downey and Patrick Horgan.
Add in Eoin O’Leary, Liam Coughlan, Luke Horgan and the experienced Brian Moylan and the greater strength in depth should get this team off to a winning start.
It is of course their return to the top flight of Cork hurling after a one year’s absence, where they became the first club in hurling to bounce back up at the first attempt.
Sarsfields v Fr O’Neill’s Carrigtwohill
Three in a row league champions and of course the Munster Champions Sars make the short trip down the road for a tricky looking tie against a side that had an excellent run last year’s including a huge win over St Finbarr’s.
Injuries though are a factor and that will not help them.
However, the quality of Deccie Dalton, Ger Mellerick and Paudie O’Sullivan among others will.
Sars though look well primed to win this one.
They have lost a few players to Australia but with Jack O’Connor, Daniel Hogan, Cathal Mc Carthy, Daniel Kearney and Conor O’Sullivan in the side, a nod to Sars to win.
Both these games are on Friday night at 7.30pm.
Group 2
Midleton v Newtownshandrum Saturday at Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.15pm
A repeat of a quarter final last year at the same venue in which the East Cork side prevailed and will be favourites to repeat that in this game on the back of winning D2 of the league.
Thi s was, like most clubs, without several important players.
The championship winning side of a couple of years ago is still in place. Luke O’Farrell, Tommy O’Connell, Conor Lehane, Brion Saunderson and Ross O’Regan are all big game players.
As ever Newtown will look to inter-county players Tim O’Mahony and Cormac O’Brien and they are a resilient group, but the odds favour a Midleton win.
Charleville v Newcestown on Sunday in Grenagh 3pm
An interesting looking encounter here between two evenly matched sides and both hard to beat on a given day, particularly Newcetsown who have defied the odds with some excellent displays over the years irrespective of the opposition they face.
Darragh Fitzgibbon and Luke Meade are big players for their respective sides - a nod to Charleville to shade this one.
Group 3
St Finbarr’s v Douglas on Friday at Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.30pm
Despite a lengthy injury list and a host of players on Cork duty in both codes the ‘Barr’s still made it to the D1 League Final and tested Sars for long periods before just coming up short, but Manager Ger Cunningham would have gained a lot from that campaign.
Douglas were also in contention for a place in the league final but a loss to Glen Rovers derailed their chances.
There are a host of top class players on view in this game like Shane Kingston, Alan Cadogan, Mark O’Brien for Douglas, Brian Hayes, Ethan Twomey, Ben Cunningham, Billy Hennessey and William Buckley for the ‘Barrs.
It has the makings of a cracking contest but with greater firepower in attack the ‘Barrs to win.
Blackrock v Kanturk on Saturday in Mallow at 7.30pm
It’s been a tough few months for Kanturk in both codes and the players that backboned their outstanding run in recent years in both codes are maybe feeling the pinch - that and the absence of Aidan Walsh is a factor.
That said they seem to always find a way to produce a big performance and they will certainly need one in this game especially from the Mc Loughli’s and Walshes if they are to start with a win, but with Alan Connolly, Robbie Cotter and the Cashman’s anchoring the ‘Rockies challenge they should have enough to get over the line.
Senior A
This has developed into a very competitive championship, and last year apart when Glen Rovers were hot favourites, picking a winner is never easy, and this season is no exception.
Group 1
Killeagh v Na Piarsaigh on Sunday in Midleton at 7.30pm
Contrasting D2 league campaigns Killeagh going all the way to the league final, Na Piarsaigh avoiding relegation with a vital win over Erin’s Own, they will though be boosted by the victory of their footballers last weekend.
The sides met two years ago and Killeagh won a cracker of a game.
With the Walshes now eligible to play, they will fancy getting another win.
Carrigtwohill v Fermoy on Saturday in Rathcormac at 7.30pm
A hard one to call but the East Cork lads had a decent league campaign and with a nice mix of youth and experience they might just shade this one.
Group 2
Bishopstown v Castlelyons on Saturday in Bishopstown at 7.30pm
A tough one this for the city side on the back of their relegation last year and a poor enough league run, the East Cork side were semi-finalists last year and tested the Glen, so they should win this one.
Ballyhea v Inniscarra on Saturday in Mourneabbey at 5.30pm
The second year in a row the sides will meet in the group stages and a close contest expected. Sean O’Donoghue who missed last year’s championship with injury is in good form and that might be a factor them getting off to a winning start.
Group 3
It’s billed as the group of death and it’s easy to see why, a double header in Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday afternoon.
Bride Rovers v Blarney at 3pm.
The keenest of rivals and an edge to their meetings, although last year Blarney eased to a comfortable win.
They will certainly miss the talented Padraig Power, but in Shane Barrett and Mark Coleman they have two big players.
The Roche brothers Eoin and Brian along with Cillian Tobin key men for the Rovers managed by former star Brian Murphy, could this end all square.
Courcey Rovers v Watergrasshill at 1.15pm
Last year’s Premier Intermediate Champions, and of course Munster and All-Ireland Champions the ‘Hill are coming in with huge momentum on a big day for them.
Sean Desmond, the match winner in Croke Park, will have Daire O’Leary, Adam Murphy and Kevin O’Neill as their big game players and while the Carrigdhoun outfit can call on Sean Twomey, the ‘Hill to make a winning start as a senior club.
Premier Intermediate
Group 1
Carrigaline v Cloyne
It’s been a good couple of weeks for both these clubs. Cloyne, although beaten in the final, secured promotion to D5 in the league and put a halt to a few poor seasons while with a lot of dual players Carrigaline had a good win in the Football Championship and that is a huge boost.
The concentration of hurling might help Cloyne but Carrigaline are well capable of winning this one.
Ballymartle v Eire Og
Again, Eire Og had football last weekend and a win so that won’t do them any harm, but Ballymartle look better equipped to win.
Group 2
Castlemartyr v Kilworth
It’s an interesting tie here as Kilworth are a dogged and determined outfit and will test anyone but the presence of Ciaran Joyce might tilt the tie Castlemartyr’s way.
Ballincollig v Ballinhassig
Now here’s a tasty looking clash with a lot of very good players on both sides like the Collins and O’Sullivans for Ballinhassig, while the Dwyer’s and Tadgh O’Connell for the Ronan Curran trained Ballincollig side, a draw maybe.
Group 3
Dungourney v Mallow
The North Cork side had a good run last year and are a bit more experienced at this grade and that should see them over the line.
Lisgoold v Valley Rovers
It will be a big day for Lisgoold on the back of the win in the Intermediate grade last season.
They too are facing an experienced outfit in Valley’s but John Cronin and Diarmuid Healy will relish the opportunity to take a big scalp.
Intermediate A
Group 1
Midleton v Mayfield and Bandon v Russell Rovers
Prediction - wins for Midleton and Bandon.
Group 2
Aghabullogue v Blackrock and Sarsfields v Youghal
Prediction - wins for Aghabullogue and Sars.
Group 3
Ballygiblin v Erin’s Own and Aghada v Kildorrery
Prediction - wins for Ballygiblin and Kildorrery.
Premier Junior
Group 1
St Catherine’s v Glen Rovers - Glen to win.
St Finbarr’s v Meelin - Barr’s to win.
Group 2
Cloughduv v Nemo Rgs - Nemo to win.
Barryroe v Kilbrittain - Kilbrittain to win.
Group 3
Ballygarvan v Milford - Milford to win.
Tracton v Argideen Rgs - Tracton to win.
It has the makings of a fascinating weekend of hurling and if it’s half as good as what the football delivered last weekend supporters will be well pleased.
Winning your first round game is so important. It eases the pressure and makes the preparation for round two that bit easier.
Again, best of luck all clubs, match officials and clubs hosting games these weekends.
Just like the football championship, it shows the association we are so proud to be part off at it’s very best.
As always extensive reports and after match reaction across the weekend on Cork’s 96FM and C103.