Tipp re-match in the Páirc
There is only one place to be this weekend and that is SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the Cork v Tipp league clash that looks like it’s going to attract close on 25,000 to the stadium. The Cork ladies football team head north boosted by an impressive win over Galway last Sunday.
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Cork v Tipperary on Saturday at 7.30pm at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
“We want to win every game.” The words of Ben O’Connor in the Mardyke after the loss to UCC in the Canon O’Brien Cup game since then they have played 4 and won 3 so he must be reasonably happy.
This game on Saturday against the All-Ireland champions comes at the ideal time for Cork as it concludes a block of 3 games on the bounce. This is followed by a break and then a bye so it will be 1 March before they play again - Kilkenny in Nowlan Park.
In the interim, any niggling injuries will have cleared up and also an ideal opportunity to get a good block of training done.
There is also the small matter of trying to gain some measure of revenge for what happened in July, not a priority I would imagine but there all the same.
Like Cork, Tipperary have won their 2 games; they dug out the win over Galway and then were way too good for Offaly last Sunday and it is clear Liam Cahill is adding depth to his squad.
It will be interesting to see what his approach to this game will be in terms of team selection.
The McGraths, Jake Morris, Jason Forde, Darragh McCarthy and Sam Farrell will probably start as they bid to finally get a win on Leeside.
Many of the regulars were rested for the meeting with Offaly, a game they were always going to win.
Cahill will also be conscious that their last two visits to Leeside ended in heavy defeats, long forgotten I would think by now though.
Cork had a good win over Galway, never an easy place to get a result and it was encouraging to see a healthy Rebel support at the venue.
7 points down at one stage, they battled back and the introduction of Tim O’Mahoney and Brian Hayes with 2 goals were big factors as was the scoring contribution of 0-13 all from play by the half-forward line.
Seamus Harnedy was one of those and with it being his 1st outing of the season he was delighted. “The lads gave me a few extra weeks off but I was itching to get going and it worked out fine. It’s a hard place to come and win and we got over the line after a slow enough start.”
Seamus says the younger members for the squad keep him going. “Great group with huge enthusiasm and really looking forward to the coming weeks.”
Well with old rivals Tipperary up next, the St Ita’s man had this to say: “Ah sure these are the games you want to play in, big crowd and down the Páirc where the pitch is always in great condition, so it should be another big night and hopefully we can get another win.”
For captain Darragh Fitzgibbon he was also very pleased with the win in the west. “It took us a while to figure out Galway’s style and once we did that, I felt we would win and the 5 or 6 points before half-time was important.”
The intensity in the 2nd half was welcome. “We were not going to back down to anyone and that was the intention and it was nice to see.”
As for next Saturday, “yeah people will build it up as its Cork and Tipp but for us it’s just another game, it’s still only February and we will look at this game and then get ready for our next game and it so happens to be Tipperary.”
Like his players, Ben as he always is was straight to the point. “It’s a win and 2 points in the league. I’m pleased with how we battled into the game after a poor start and delighted with the attitude.”
“Given how easy the game against Waterford was and there might have been a bit of over confidence in our play but look we got the job done.”
The needle in the game delighted Ben: “Great to see, not a dirty stroke in the match bit of pushing and shoving but that’s part of the game and you see how the crowd reacted to that and it’s something I love to see.”
Subs played their part and the panel is strengthening all the time. “That is what we want, competition for places and that is what we are getting.”
Ben is looking forward to Saturday. “Well it’s only our 3rd league game and our 3rd in 13 days; we’re going down there to win and then we have a break and it would be nice to go into that with 3 wins from 3.”
With both MTU and UCC out of the Fitzgibbon Cup, probably for the 1st time this season it affords Ben and his selectors the opportunity, injuries apart, to pick from a full deck and the 15 that will start will be watched with interest.
The majority of the squad has now seen game time and everyone has made important contributions.
Apart from Harnedy in the half-forward line, Shane Barrett hit 0-6 and Fitzgibbon clipped over 3.
Alan Connolly also among the scorers but will annoyed at a few of the frees he missed.
Tommy O’Connell is making a strong case for a midfield spot with another battling performance, while at the back, the Downeys’ Eoin and Rob, along with Niall O’Leary and Mark Coleman were as efficient as ever.
It may only be the 3rd game of the league but it has important significance for both. The winners will be in a strong position to make the final and with another huge crowd expected, Cork will want to deliver.
While the weather forecast is not good for the rest of the week, the pitch will once again be in fine condition and that will help, especially for Cork.
Any game between these age old rivals can be hard to call, even this early in the year, but playing at home and provided they start well, Cork should win and head into the break in a strong position.
Indications are that the attendance will surpass recent stand-alone league games with both stands sold out and only terrace tickets now available, which reflects greatly on the Cork support.
The match is live on C103.
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Cork v Armagh on Sunday in Dromitee at 1pm
A big and impressive win for Cork over Galway which delighted manager Joe Carroll. “Good win - the goal from Aine (Terry O’Sullivan) was vital and good defending at the end to deny Galway a 2 pointer at the end. We virtually have a new team so that win was important.”
The trip to Armagh will be another challenge but Joe is ready for it. “It’s long trip but that is part and parcel of the league, we will train and prepare this week and go there boosted by today’s win.”
Armagh themselves were winners on Sunday and with home advantage will fancy their chances, but if Katie Quirke, Mellissa Duggan, Emma Cleary and Aoife Healy play as well as they did against Galway it could be a short journey home with another 2 points in the bag.
Hectic time for UCC teams
It’s Sigerson Cup semi-final time today (Thursday) for UCC when they play University of Galway in the Mardyke at 8pm. It’s been an excellent campaign for the students having won all their games away from home.
This is their 1st game at their own venue and they will favourites to win, but there have been a few surprises in this prestigious competition so far and they will be keen to avoid that.
UCC won a cracking quarter-final against one of the favourites for the title and holders DCU with Ruairi Murphy, Michael McSweeney, Conor Daly, Cormac Dillon, Austin Murphy and Jacob O’Driscoll delivering huge displays and a repeat should see them progress.
Queens University Belfast and UL meet in the other semi-final also tomorrow and the final for the 1st time in 40 years will be played in Croke Park on Wednesday 11 February at 7.35pm - a nice incentive for the 4 remaining teams.
In camogie UCC ended UL’s bid for a 3rd successive Ashbourne Cup title with a thrilling 2 point victory on Tuesday. It sets up a final with UCD in the DCU Complex on Sunday at 4pm.
Niamh McNabola was outstanding in that win as were Avril Cashman, Amy McCarthy, Leah Hallihan and Orlaith Cremin.
UCC have won the Ashbourne 32 times but the last triumph came in 2003 - they would dearly love to end that long wait on Sunday.