Sunday afternoon double-header to start league
Time was when January would have been considered a quiet month on the playing fields, but not anymore.
Already we have had pre-season cups, All-Ireland club finals, and a lot more beside, and now the Allianz National Leagues get underway this weekend.
As do the Lidl LF National League and we also have a Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-final.
Allianz NFL Division 2
Cork v Cavan at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday at 1.30pm
“It was nice to win but look we won’t be getting carried away; today was about getting game time into players and that is what we got.” Cork football manager John Cleary after the McGrath Cup Final win over Kerry in Killarney last Saturday, a 1st win since 1995 at the venue.
John was pleased at how Cork recovered from a slow start and played well in the 2nd half. “Ah yes we did and worked hard. I suppose all the changes both sides made didn’t help the flow of the game, but look we managed the last play well and got over the line.”
The priority was and remains Cavan on Sunday.
“Our sole focus since we started back was our first league game and that hasn’t changed so now we will review, get back training and prepare for that match.”
Ulster opposition and there are 2 more - Tyrone and Derry - to come are always hard to beat.
“We beat them up there last year but in 2024 they got the better of us here in the ‘Park and while they have a new manager, like us they will want to start with a win.”
On the injury front both Cathal O’Mahony and Conor Corbett are ruled out and given that he has just returned to training, captain Ian Maguire might not feature.
John though is happy with the preparation. “It has gone well and the injuries compared to last year are minimal so we are in a good position when we sit down to pick the team.”
Cavan played two games in the McKenna Cup; they lost to Monaghan and their match against Fermanagh was declared null and void as both side breached the competition regulations.
New manager Dermot McCabe - he won an Ulster medal in 1997 and an All-Star - won’t be unduly worried about that and will head south confident they can get a win.
The composition of the Cork team might not differ much from the 15 that started in Killarney.
Whether Micheál Aodh or Patrick Doyle gets the number 1 jersey would appear to be the big call, with the likelihood that regulars Colm O’Callaghan, Brian O’Driscoll, Mattie Taylor and Daniel O’Mahony will feature in defence and midfield.
Steven Sherlock, Mark Cronin, Sean McDonnell - who was very good against Kerry and Brian Hurley all look set to start in attack.
Given that D2 is really tough to get out of, Cork are now down there 10 years, it is imperative you win your home games, and a week later they travel to play the Leinster champions Louth and you don’t want to go there on the back of a defeat.
So Cork to win and the match is live on C103.
Allianz NHL D1A
Cork v Waterford at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday at 3.45pm
It is somewhat ironic that Cork should begin the defence of their league title not only at home, but against a Waterford side that won the D1B title on the same day as Cork and on the same pitch.
Much has changed since, Cork have a new manager and a reshaped panel with several players who anchored the team for years no longer involved, while for the visitors they will be without the Ballygunner contingent which will not help them.
The last meeting between the teams was also in the Páirc as Cork won the championship game last summer but for long periods it was a tight enough encounter.
Waterford made the Munster League final but they were beaten by a reasonably strong Limerick side in Mallow last Saturday.
That team included a good few regulars among them Conor Prunty, Shane Bennett, Darragh Lyons, Jamie Barron while others to feature in that match were Billy Nolan, Sean Mackey, Jack Lacey and Tom Barron. It will be interesting to see what 15 will take the field.
Cork had 2 outings in the Munster League and manager Ben O’Connor was pleased that they finished with a win over Clare having lost to Limerick in the 1st round.
“It was especially after we got a bit of a trimming by a strong enough Limerick team but the lads battled it out against Clare and the desire they showed was important.”
Ben is looking forward to Sunday. “It’s always nice to start with a home game, as we know the support has been great in the last few years and I hope that will continue and then of course the pitch here is in excellent condition.”
A couple of players are carrying knocks and that will impact the selection. “A few little niggles, Ben Cunningham, Seamus Harnedy and Michael Mullins, while Padraig Power will be back in training next week.”
There is also the matter of the Fitzgibbon Cup, UCC play today (Thursday) and a number of players are involved.
“It’s a balancing act as you have to manage players carefully and with 3 games in a row a knock or two could rule a guy out for a few weeks.” Ben though is happy how things have gone over the last few weeks.
As league champions Cork will be keen to start with a win. “We want to win every game and with the league being played off so quickly, a couple of defeats would put you on the back foot as you head into the championship.”
Sunday will be a big day for newly appointed captain Darragh Fitzgibbon and he is delighted with the honour.
“Massive honour especially for my club and I am looking forward to it but there are a lot of leaders in this team, a number of lads that were captain before me so they won’t be long telling if it’s going wrong,” he says with a smile.
It’s a new management team as well and Darragh added: “Well Pat (Ryan) was brilliant, but you move on and the lads bring in their own ideas and the last few weeks have been very good and now we can’t wait to start the league.”
The 3 time All-Star has yet to play but that will change on Sunday. “I will be itching to get started as are a lot of the lads that haven’t played yet but the most important thing is we start with a win, but Waterford will not make it easy but we’re ready to go.”
The starting 15 will be interesting but it should see a lot of the regulars return for this opening game.
Niall O’Leary, Sean O’Donoghue, Robert Downey, the captain obviously, Mark Coleman, Robbie O’Flynn, Shane Barrett and Alan Connolly among them.
Cork have more depth in their squad than Waterford and playing at home in front of what should be a very big crowd, they will be expected to start with a win.
Again the match is live on C103.
LIDL Ladies Football League Division 1
Cork v Kildare at MTU on Sunday at 2pm
Cork return to Division 1 and do so without several big name players who for a variety of reasons are no longer involved.
Hannah Looney is heading Down Under, but they will have Aoife Healy who will play in the league at least, while Libby Coppinger has opted to concentrate on camogie which means for the first time in a number of years there will be no dual players.
Manager Joe Carroll has also a reshaped backroom team and while the championship is the priority, he will also be looking for consistency in the league and keen to retain their D1 status which will not be an easy task.
Emma Cleary, Katie Quirke, Healy and Mellissa Duggan are important players for this team and a winning start at home would be a huge boost.
Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-final
St Francis College Rochestown v Tralee CBS at Cill Na Martra on Saturday at 12.30pm
A tough test for the Cork school against a Tralee side that have been installed as favourites from the outset and the manner in which they have made the last four would justify that tag.
Rochestown though have been impressive themselves and that was evident in the QF win over Killorglin especially when the game was delicately poised in the 2nd half.
Mark O’Brien, Padraig McGrath (2-0) in that QF, Cathal Lowney, Joe Mouret, Diarmuid O’Donoghue, Ronan Sweeney and Dara O’Sullivan all impressed in that win.
Liam Kelleher missed that win and his return, if fit, would strengthen their challenge.
Kerry schools have dominated this competition in recent years it would be a timely boost if Roco could make the final.