It's time for hurling finals weekend!
There is only one place to be this weekend and that is SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh with all 5 Co-Op Superstores County Hurling finals down for decision.
The Saturday and Sunday finals are live on C103.
Premier Senior
Sarsfields v Midleton on Sunday at 3.15pm
The preview of this eagerly awaited decider has been dominated by the injury that would appear to rule Conor Lehane out of the Midleton team, but there is a view that their ace forward and vice-captain might not start but could play some part.
If he does not play, it’s cruel luck on a player who has been key in their progress to the final, 0-12 in the win over Blackrock nailing the last minute free under severe pressure and 0-48 scored to date.
Add in the loss of full-back Eoin Moloney and that’s a double blow to the Magpies.
Speaking to their manager Michael Keohane, before Conor’s injury became public, he was thrilled with their efforts all year. “Incredible group of players never know when they're beaten and keep on going to the end as we have seen in almost all our games.”
The other impressive part about that is they get over the line without scoring goals. “Whatever it is, we seem not to panic and take the points and so far, so good.”
The depth in the squad is the other factor, “We have players like Luke (O’Farrell) and Dave (Cremin) who have come in and done the job when needed and that is what a panel is all about.”
For Sars it’s been a long year; they had an All-Ireland Club Final defeat in January, into the league which they won and now the championship with little or no break but manager Johnny Crowley is not complaining.
“It has been long but it’s where we want to be. We used the league to get game time into our players, rested some of the more experienced lads and it has worked well.”
Their championship form has been good at times. “We have mixed the good with the bad but at the same time there is nothing easy in this championship and even in games where we were playing not as well as we would hope, we managed to get the job done and that’s all down to the experience in the panel.”
Having met on a regular basis over the years both managers have huge respect for the opposition. “They (Sars) lost the county final last year and then went all the way to the All-Ireland Final, beating a great Ballygunner team in Munster so we know what we are facing on Sunday,” added Michael Keohane.
Johnny Crowley said Midleton are “a great club and team and anytime we play them, there is very little between us and we know we will have to be at the top of our game on Sunday if we are to win.”
It has the makings of a lively contest with Brion Saunderson, Tommy O’Connell, Ross O’Regan, Mikey Finn, Killian McDermott and Patrick White key for Midleton.
Jack O’Connor, Daniel Hogan, Daniel Kearney, Conor O’Sullivan, Luke Ellitt, Conor McCarthy and Cian Darcy are important for the reigning Munster champions.
Both clubs have endured tough seasons off the field and will endeavour to honour the memory of those no longer with them which adds another layer to the final.
As for the winner, Lehane’s expected absence tilts the tie in Sars’ favour.
Senior A
Bride Rovers v Castlelyons on Saturday at 7.30pm
It’s the most local of local derbies with the two clubs literally a few miles apart and both impressing in reaching this decider.
Bride Rovers were appearing in their 5th successive semi-final and having lost the last four must have been a little nervous approaching their clash with another East Cork rival in Carrigtowhill.
It’s a match they controlled from start to finish and anytime Carrig threatened a comeback, they had the capacity to raise their game and were comfortable winners.
Coach Steven Glasgow was naturally delighted having final broken the semi-final hoodoo but was aware a stiff test awaits. “Very pleased and how we handled the game and overall how we played as we know semi-finals are for winning and we haven’t been doing that but now the task is just as hard against a very good and seasoned Castlelyons side but look we will be ready.”
Similar views were expressed by Castlelyons manager Mickey Spillane. “We lost at this stage last year to Glen Rovers so the job tonight was just to get over the line and now it’s a local derby in the final but that’s what you train hard for all year and now are where we want to be.”
If Bride eased past Carrig, Castlelyons were just as impressive in dismissing a highly rated Blarney side who had lost the previous two finals.
These sides are laced with quality and experience in Niall O’Leary, Alan Fenton, the Spillane brothers, David Morrison 3-1 in the semi-final and Leon Doocey for Castlelyons.
Brian and Eoin Roche, Adam Walsh, Ronan O’Connell, Cian Hogan, Paddy O’Flynn and David Barry star for the Rovers.
Not easy to pick a winner but just maybe the youthful exuberance that Bride possess might get them over the line against a Castlelyons side that are on the road that bit longer.
Premier Intermediate
Ballincollig v Ballinhassig on Sunday at 1.15pm
An intriguing looking encounter in prospect here although a worrying injury list particularly among their forwards could hamper Ballinhassig’s ambition - Adam O’Sullivan is one of those doubtful for this game.
He was an absentee when they got the better of a battling Cloyne side in a semi-final that was in the balance up to the end but a dogged last 10 minutes, in which they kept their opponents scoreless got them over the line.
They have been there or thereabouts in the last number of years and this represents an ideal chance to get the club to Senior A but this is a big ask, especially with the injuries.
In Darragh O’Sullivan, Charlie and Jack Grainger, Shane McCarthy and Fintan O’Leary they have players well aware of what’s required to win at this level.
Add in the Collins brothers goalkeeper Patrick and Ger a key forward, and even with the injuries they are a formidable team.
Ronan Curran has done an excellent job with Ballincollig this year, getting them to a final for the first time since the introduction of this grade.
It is also notable that the number of dual players involved has decreased and that might be a factor in their run to the decider.
Brian Dore, Tadgh O’Connell, Brian Keating, Darragh O’Mahony, Sean O’Neill, Theo Morgan, Cian Dorgan if fit - he missed the football semi-final last Sunday, and James Dwyer are important players for The Village.
This is a very hard one to call, quality players on both sides, will the injuries impact on Ballinahassig’s chances and will it take a 2nd day out to determine the winners.
A hesitant and a very hesitant one at that, nod to Ballinhassig.
Intermediate A
Bandon v Aghabullogue on Saturday at 5.30pm
The first of 2 finals in 2 weeks for the Muskerry side; they play the football decider against Iveleary on 2 November, so it’s a busy time for their dual players.
As for Bandon it’s an in ideal opportunity to put the disappointment of relegation in football behind them and it would be a timely boost for all involved.
It’s not that simple though as Aghabullogue have shown grit and determination all season particularly in their extra-time semi-final win over Aghada, in very difficult circumstances following a sad bereavement in the club.
Matthew Bradley has been delivering on both fronts for them in big games and with James Lane, Paul Ring, Luke Casey and James Foley also chipping in with important scores.
Injuries affected them in this game and they will be hoping that John Corkery and Brendan O’Sullivan will be fit to start the final.
Bandon dug out a 2 point win over Sarsfields in what was a dour encounter but as has often been said semi-finals are for winning.
Michael Cahalane as he has done so often in the past was crucial to their progression to the final, a first in nine years, with Rob Long, Conor Calnan, Pat Barry, Mark Sugrue and Jack Cullinane have battled hard for Bandon over the years and did so again on this occasion.
Aghabullogue though look that bit better and might just shade this one, especially if Bandon’s scoring of 0-10 in the semi-final, albeit in difficult conditions is not improved on.
Premier Junior
Glen Rovers v Kilbrittain on Friday at 7.30pm
A 2nd meeting in a couple of years between these two clubs the most recent was a QF in which Glen Rovers won after a penalty shoot out -goalkeeper Ben Heffernan was the hero saving and then converting the winning score.
Both have enjoyed excellent campaigns Glen going direct to the semi-final and then surviving a tough test from a resolute Cloughduv side with substitute Dylan Long getting the match winning goal.
In fact substitutes played an important role in that win with both Dale Tynan and the vastly experienced Conor Dorris impressing when introduced.
Kilbrittain also went direct to the semi-final topping their group unbeaten so both clubs handled the 4 week gap comfortably and both were actually playing football last weekend.
St Nick’s won while Kilbrittain were defeated after extra-time so how it will be interesting how that will impact on the teams - at this stage of the season not a lot I would suggest.
Josh O’Donovan, Conor Ustionowski who got the crucial goal in their semi-final win over Ballygarvan, Sean Sexton, Mark Hickey 0-12 in that win, Eoin O’Neill and Aaron Holland are big players for the West Cork side.
Glen have been knocking at the door of this championship in the last few years; QFs and SFs in successive seasons and are determined to finally land the title.
Zach Lynch, Fiachra O’Driscoll, Ken McCarthy Coade, Adam O’Sullivan, Calvin Healy and Gavin Marshall are their key men and they could just finally land the title.
Irrespective of the result, Kilbrittain will represent Cork in the Munster Championship semi-final as 2nd teams are not allowed play in the provincial competitions.
Elsewhere
Three Cork clubs are in action in the Munster Ladies Football Club Championship and all away from home.
In Senior A, first time winners Éire Óg head to Waterford and a meeting with Comeragh Rangers and in the B Championship Glanmire are away to Cahir - both on Saturday at 2pm.
Naomh Abán, the Intermediate champions are on the road on Sunday to St Anne’s from Waterford again at 2pm.
Following their exciting draw last week, Ballincollig and Ballygarvan will replay their SE Systems Intermediate Camogie Final on Friday in MTU at 7.45pm.