Football hits semi-final stage
With the hurling final pairings confirmed after a dramatic weekend, focus this week is on the McCarthy Insurance Group County Football semi-finals with some interesting encounters. There are county finals in camogie and ladies football too.
Premier Senior Football
Newcestown v Nemo Rangers on Sunday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 2pm
Having survived extra-time and a dramatic penalty shootout Newcestown are in their 1st semi-final at this level and captain Luke Meade nailed the winning penalty. “It’s brilliant and when you’re training with the floodlights on, you know you are at the business end of the season.”
And with no hurling they have the unusual experience of having a two week uninterrupted preparation.
Facing one of the most successful teams is daunting but one they are relishing. “Nemo Rangers are just a superb club always at the business end of the championship and it’s a real test, but they will be favourites and that will take a bit of pressure off us.”
David Buckley, Chris White, Eoghan Collins, Seamus O’Sullivan and Tadgh Twomey will lead the West Cork club’s bid to reach the final for the first time.
Alan O’Donovan is the Nemo captain and knows all about the knockout phase. “Every semi-final is different and we have played Newcestown often enough over the years and they are a very resilient team and we will not be underestimating them.”
Heading into the last round the semi-final spot seemed out of reach but their demolition of St Michael’s saw them claim it.
Being favourites won’t faze Nemo and with Kevin O’Donovan, Mark Cronin, Micheál Aodh Martin, Kevin Fulignati and Barry Cripps know what’s required and should progress to yet another final, but it will not be as comfortable as many would expect.
St Finbarr’s v Ballincollig on Sunday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 4pm
Defeat in the hurling semi-final last Sunday will have hurt the ‘Barr’s dual players, while the opposite applies to Ballincollig who won their semi-final, although they have less dual players.
Picking it up after such a narrow loss will not be easy but they are a resilient club. The manner in which they ended Castlehaven’s reign will have helped and for ace forward Steven Sherlock it was a big win. “I didn’t think we would get 6 goals, but everything just clicked on the day.” Steven bagged 3-3 out of 6-11.
They have met Ballincollig in the last few years and is aware of their quality. “They are a good side as are all teams at this stage of the championship so we know what we are facing.”
There is a lot to admire about this ‘Barr’s side and with they play with pace they can unhinge any defence and when you have Ian Maguire, Billy Hennessy, Darragh Newman, Jamie Burns, Alan O’Connor, Dylan Quinn and Brian Hayes leading your challenge, you can feel confident heading into any game.
Ballincollig have themselves showed battling qualities in their games, edged out Douglas and then came from behind to get the better of Duhallow, with recently returned from Australia, for a few weeks off season, Liam O’Connell enjoying the run.
“It’s great to be back and looking forward to the semi-final, nice to be playing with your mates again and they have been very supportive and encouraging, so yeah really enjoying it.”
Liam also had to adjust to the new rules and agrees they have transformed the game for the better. “I had to get up to speed quickly but have got there and really looking forward to Sunday.”
Luke Fahy after a bad run of injuries is now anchoring a solid Balllincollig defensive unit, with Sean Dore, Sean Kiely, Darragh O’Mahony, Liam O’Connell, Cian Dorgan and Peter O’Neill all in good form.
Interesting 60 minutes ahead with both sides having good attacking units, but the ‘Barr’s look that bit more potent and should win.
Both games are live on C103.
Senior A
Just like Premier Intermediate, 3 of the last 4 clubs are from the Muskerry division with Knocknagree the odd one out.
Éire Óg v Cill Na Martra on Saturday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 5.45pm
From being on the verge of elimination to being just 60 minutes from a place in the final, has been Éire Óg’s story in recent weeks and manager Harry O’Reilly is delighted with their form. “We looking like heading out going into our last group game and now we are chasing a pace in the final, which is testimony to the resolve within the group.”
Cill Na Martra went straight to the semi-final and that pleased selector Alan O’Regan after their win over Clyda Rovers. “That was our target at the start of the championship win what was a very tough group.”
The Gaelthacht side have enjoyed a few good seasons where winning games has become a habit and they possess some very good players in Daniel Ó Duinnin, Jason McCarthy, Shane Ó Duinnin, Damien Ó hUrdail and Gearoid Ó Goillidhe.
Éire Óg are looking to bounce straight back to the top grade following their relegation last year and Colm O’Callaghan has been a leader all season with Eoin O’Shea, Chris Kelly, Darragh Clifford, Dylan Foley and Brian Hurley offering excellent support.
The experienced Daniel Goulding is a very effective impact player off the bench and maybe it’s enough to get them over the line.
Ballingeary v Knocknagree on Saturday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 7.30pm
“Relief is the overriding feeling after that win I can tell you,” said Knocknagree manager John Fintan Daly after their extra-time win over Duhallow rivals Kanturk. “Our lads kept at it and in the end just got the job done.”
John knows though they face another stiff test in the semi-final. “Ballingeary went straight to the semi-final and they have some very good players. It’s great to be heading back to the Park.”
Donagh Shorten is a key player for Ballingeary and has huge respect for the Duhallow side. “They have been there or thereabouts in the last few years, they beat us in the QF a few years ago and in the league this year so we know exactly what we are facing.”
There own campaign though was impressive, “We played well in all our games and getting the win over Bishopstown in our last game got us a semi-final.”
Donagh is joined by his brother Ben in the team along with Gavin O’Leary, Conor Lynch and Noel O’Leary in a well balanced team.
Knocknagree have enjoyed a spectacular rise from junior ranks to this level and JFD harbours real ambition to make the top tier. They lost last year’s final to Carrigaline by 2 points, they will look to Patrick Doyle, Eoghan McSweeney and Daniel O’Mahony to guide to them back into the decider, and they look well equipped to do just that.
Both games are live on C103.
Premier Intermediate
Iveleary v Aghada at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday at 2.30pm
The Muskerry Gaelthacht side were semi-finalists last year losing after extra-time to eventual winners Kilshanning and they are determined to go one better this time round.
Aghada had a tough hurling semi-final last week that went to extra-time which they lost. That might impact on them or give them extra motivation.
Pearse O’Neill remains a key player for the East Cork side and his experience will be crucial, Cathal Vaughan and Chris Óg Jones are big players for Iveleary and their scoring ability should be enough for them to prevail.
Naomh Abán v Aghabullogue in Macroom on Saturday at 4pm
Now this has the makings of a real cracker; yet another local derby and notable that 3 of the 4 semi-finalists are from the Muskerry division.
Aghabullogue are active in both codes and with a hurling final to look forward to, they will be keen to get to another decider and under new Cork under 20 manager Ray Keane will probably start as favourites.
Naomh Abán topped their group, as did Aghabullogue, but scoring difference sent the Ballyvourney lads straight to the semi-final and how they managed the 4 week gap might shape this contest.
Picking a winner of this one is not easy, but going to plump for Naomh Abán and maybe after extra-time.
Premier Junior
St Nick’s v Cobh in Carrigtwohill on Saturday at 4pm
The city side went direct to the last four while Cobh dug out a good win over Inniscarra in the QF. Both had hurling commitments last weekend, and both won.
In the league encounter back in May, Nick’s came from behind to win and that essentially ensured promotion at Cobh’s expense.
Nick’s have impressed to date and with Eoin and Robert Downey offering huge experience along with Jack O’Sullivan, Ross Cronin, Sean Horgan and Gavin Marshall, they get the nod to join their Glen Rovers hurlers in a county final.
Canovee v Buttevant in Glantane on Saturday at 4pm
At the outset both of these were seen by many as championship winners, Canovee were runners-up last year.
Two very good teams and hard to call; Canovee were league winners beating St Nick’s in the final, and they might just shade this one.
Intermediate A
Adrigole v Ilen Rovers in Bantry on Saturday at 4pm
It’s been an upward curve for Ilen after a few years in which they slipped down the grades and have shown great resilience to make the last 4. Equally Adrigole topped their group and were very impressive in their win over Ballinora last time out.
A greater squad depth might get Ilen over the line.
Kilmurry v Ballinora on Sunday in Ovens at 2pm
Last year’s county and Munster champions Kilmurry have continued their upward trend in this grade and despite a change of management, have adjusted well to this grade.
Ballinora are doubly involved going for 6 in a row but as of now it appeared to be doing them no harm, but they were disappointing against Adrigole and will need an improved showing.
Local derbies take on a life of their own, but a slight fancy for Kilmurry to win.
Camogie and ladies football finals
A busy weekend for the Cahalane sisters with 2 finals to play in following the football draw. Éire Óg (who they play with) and Aghada head back to MTU on Saturday at 12pm for the Cork Credit Unions Senior Ladies Football replay.
24 hours later they will be back at the same venue for the SE Systems Senior Camogie Final in the colours of champions St Finbarrs when they bid for back to back titles against St Catherine’s with a 2pm start.
The SE Systems Intermediate Final is on Saturday in Castle Road at 3.30pm with Ballygarvan facing Ballincollig.
Trevor Barry RIP
Trevor’s untimely passing last week evoked huge sympathy throughout the city and beyond for a real gentleman who is gone too soon.
In his playing days he won 3 county senior medals with Blackrock. Equally he was a great St Michael’s man and in recent years with the underage and ladies football with whom his daughters play with.
He was a real gent and any time you met him he was in great form. Sincere sympathy to his family and his playing colleagues in Blackrock and St Michaels at this very sad time.