Final places up for grabs
It is the business end of the season and it's semi-final time in the Co-Op Superstores County Hurling Championships in all 5 grades.
Premier Senior
Midleton v Blackrock on Sunday at 2pm in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
“Just delighted to get over the line against a good Glen team in tough conditions,” said Midleton manager Michael Keohane after their QF win.
As for their semi-final opponents: “Blackrock are always contenders - we have had some good games against them over the years and I am sure Sunday will be no different.”
The ‘Rockies by topping their group went direct to the semi-final, but defender Alan O’Callaghan says they have managed it well. “We think we have anyway, we done recovery after the Douglas win, and we have had a couple of good challenge games since, so we are happy enough.”
The one downside is the injury to Tadhg Deasy. “Very tough on Tadhg - a big players for us over the years and he will be a loss, but it’s an opportunity for someone else to step up and that is why you need a good panel and we believe we have.”
Midleton showed good resilience to get over the Glen getting the last four points and again the contributions of Tommy O’Connell, Brion Saunderson, Conor Lehane and Ross O’Reagan were crucial.
By racking up 33 (30 from play) points in the win over Douglas, Blackrock sent out a statement but they are well aware this is a step up in quality. Alan Connolly, the Cashmans, Robbie Cotter and Michael O’Halloran are the ‘Rockies’ big players.
Intriguing contest in the offing, with a nod to Midleton to shade it.
St Finbarrs v Sarsfields on Sunday at 3.45pm in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Now this one is impossible to call, the ‘Barrs are on the hunt for a double and Sars are the reigning Munster champions.
By knocking out the champions, Ger Cunningham’s side produced their best display helped by the return of POTY nominee Brian Hayes and he will prove a handful for the Sars rearguard.
The wide open space of the Páirc will also suit the pace that the ‘Barrs possess - Ben Cunningham and William Buckley immediately spring to mind in this regard, while Jack O’Connor has similar traits for Sars.
Johnny Crowley was happy that they survive a tough QF test from Charleville. “Oh yeah a real test against a good team. We played well in patches, but when we needed it most we got over the line, and now another one against a very good ‘Barr’s team.”
After their impressive win over Imokilly, Ger Cunningham was just thrilled to be in the semi-final. “We knew coming down here today (to Midleton) was not going to be easy but I thought our second half was excellent; we managed the game well and now it’s Sars - great game to be looking forward to.”
A glance across the panels and the depth in both all points in the direction of a cracking contest that will almost certainly go the distance.Brian Hayes return has added a new layer to the ‘Barrs attack, and how the Sars defence handles his threat could shape this game; if they can’t they will be punished.
Barrs with a more potent attack get the nod.
Both games are live on C103.
Senior A
Carrigtwohill v Bride Rovers at 5.45pm on Saturday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Yet another local derby and one to savour between two very evenly matched sides. Of the two Carrig have really impressed; unbeaten in the group, racking up some big scores.
A key player for them has been Aaron Walsh Barry. He said they are really looking forward to it: “It was a very tough group and our scoring difference was important.”
As for Bride Rovers, Aaron knows the quality they face: “They have very consistent at this level in the last few years and we will need to be at our very best to win.”
Stephen Glasgow is the Bride Rovers coach and had mixed views on their QF win over Inniscarra. “Happy enough to win but disappointed with some aspects of our game and we really need to improve on them for the semi-final.”
Stephen has been impressed with Saturday’s opponents. “Very much so, I saw a couple of their games and they play a nice brand of hurling and it is certainly going to be a tough test, but you expect nothing less at this stage of any championship.”
Two very good teams laced with quality; Eoin and Brian Roche and Adam Walsh - a very effective player for Rovers and Cillian Tobin, while Pat O’Sullivan, Sean Walsh, Matthew Barrett and Patrick Walsh are key for Carrig.
Not an easy one to call but the greater experience at this stage of the championship could see Bride Rovers edge it.
Castlelyons v Blarney at 7.30pm on Saturday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Another heavyweight contest here; Blarney were beaten finalists for the last two seasons and Castleyons regularly featuring at the business end of the championship in recent years.
Having lost their opening game, Blarney have really turned matters around as Mark Coleman explained: “We had no choice really. Every game after that took on a must-win feeling and that is how it has turned out. We were playing knockout hurling from very early in the championship.”
He also knows the quality they are facing: “Very consistent team over the years, good players and hard to beat - we will need to be at our very best to win.”
Similar views were expressed by Castlelyons’ Alan Fenton. “You look at the players they have and they have been in the last two finals. We are well aware of how tough opposition they are going to be, but we are happy with our own game and just really looking forward to it.”
This could very well be the game of the weekend; the Barretts, Coleman and Cathal McCarthy on one side with the Spillanes, Niall O’Leary and Fenton on the other. A hesitant nod to Blarney, but it may even go to extra-time to resolve, or the dreaded penalty shoot out.
Both games are live on C103.
Premier Intermediate Hurling
Ballinhassig v Cloyne on Saturday in Ovens at 4.30pm
“At one stage in our game with Kilworth we were heading for relegation play-off but we kept at it and here we are in the semi-final which is great for the club,” said Ballinhassig’s Darragh O’Sullivan.
They emerged from a very difficult group and going direct to the last 4 will help. Darragh knows though that Cloyne will be a tough test. “Of course, a club with a huge tradition and after a few hard years are going well again.”
Cloyne did have a tough few years but are thriving under the current management team and while that did slip up to Éire Óg, they got back on track with a narrow win over Valley Rovers in the QF.
James O’Brien, Paudie O’Sullivan, Conor Cahill, Brian O’Shea and Eoin Motherway have been excellent all year for Cloyne.
The injuries will concern the south-east team, Adam O’Sullivan is one of those doubtful, but in Patrick and Ger Collins, Eoin Lombard, Jack Grainger and Fintan O’Leary, they might just have enough to get them over the line.
Ballincollig v Dungourney in Caherlag on Saturday at 4pm
Ballincollig showed their intent with a demolition job on Carrigaline in the QF and despite their football commitments last weekend, they will be hot favourites against a Dungourney side that have made huge progress in recent years.
Coming out of their group unbeaten and going direct to the semi-final is an indication of that.
Jack Leahy is their standout player with Dylan Healy, Shane Hegarty, Paul Flynn, Niall McGrath and Cillian O’Callaghan impressing as they dug out a win against Mallow last time out.
Ronan Curran has a very good squad at his disposal even if the dual commitments hampers preparation but in David O’Leary, Jordan Murray, Cian O’Driscoll, Tadgh O’Connell and Brian Keating, they have a very well balanced team and look better equipped to progress.
Intermediate A
Sarsfields v Bandon in Riverstick on Saturday at 4pm
It’s a fair achievement for a club’s 2nd team to reach the semi-final of any championship and by the direct route as well; it’s an indication of the quality Sars have at their disposal.
However since their last group game they have lost a couple of players to their senior team and that might lessen their chances of making the final.
James Nyhan is the Bandon coach and he is delighted with their progress; they had football last weekend, lost and were relegated and that’s a blow, but they might just have enough especially if Michael Cahalane hits form to win this one.
Aghada v Aghabullogue in Ballyanly on Saturday at 4pm
Both of these clubs are in their respective football semi-finals so clearly they are doing a lot right and this could be another entertaining contest.
Aghabullogue have been very consistent at this grade and look a bit better balanced, that said after a few tough years the East Cork side are once going in the right direction, but Aghabullogue to shade it.
Premier Junior
Glen Rovers v Cloughduv on Friday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.30pm
An interesting clash here as Glen face a Cloughduv side that had an easy QF win over Argideen Rangers and with they will relish this challenge.
Brian Verling is their go-to player (3-2 in that win) with Sean O’Leary, Mark Verling and Aidan Murphy offering good support, they are a balanced outfit.
Glen have had a good campaign to date with Ben Heffernan, Nathan Goulding, Donagh Coughlan, Zack Lynch and Gavin Marshall impressing and they will fancy their chances of making the final, and they could.
Kilbrittain v Ballygarvan in Minane Bridge on Saturday at 4pm
Ballygarvan showed great resilience to get the better of St Catherine’s in a cracking QF and if they produce the same again they could very well cause another upset.
Kilbrittain eased through their group unbeaten and with Philip Wall, Josh O’Donovan, Mark Hickey and Conor Hogan in scoring form, they will be expected to make the final.
Cork Credit Union Ladies Football Finals
There’s a cracking double-header in MTU on Sunday with the Senior A and B finals.
In the A decider at 4pm, Éire Óg will try and finally get over the line in their 5th final in a row, but the champions Aghada are standing in their way in a repeat of last year’s final.
Aghada impressed in seeing off Mourneabbey in their semi-final and the desire to win back to back titles gives them an edge.
The Senior B Final at 1.30pm is the 2 teams that in successive years have won the Intermediate championship at county, provincial and All-Ireland level: O’Donovan Rossa and Glanmire.
There's a place in the Munster Club B on offer for the winners.
The Intermediate Final takes place in Cloughduv on Saturday at 3pm and it features Midleton v Cloughduv.
Minors on Monday
Páirc Uí Rinn will certainly be rocking on Monday for the Premier 1 and 2 Minor Hurling Finals.
It’s St Finbarr’s and Bandon in the Premier 2 decider at 6.30pm followed by the Premier 1 Final at 8pm the all-East Cork clash of Sars and Midleton.