Break for some teams but ladies face key clash
Following the excitement and drama of the last few weeks, it’s a touch calmer this weekend as both men’s senior teams are on a welcome week off. The ladies footballers do face a key tie against Waterford on Sunday however. There is plenty of underage activity with important games down for decision.
TG4 Munster Senior Ladies Football Championship
Cork v Waterford on Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 2pm
A surprise defeat to second division side Tipperary last weekend means that when Cork play Waterford in their 2nd round game in the TG4 Munster Ladies Football Championship they have to win if they are to remain in contention.
They are coming up against a Waterford side that went to Tralee and defeated Kerry and they will relish the opportunity to take down the newly crowned D1 League champions, especially on home soil.
Joe Carroll was very disappointed with the display and had no complaints with the outcome and will look for and hope for an improved performance.
While the Munster Championship is separate to the All-Ireland series, your final placing determines your seeding for that, so a win is imperative for Cork.
On Saturday in the B Championship it’s Cork v Tipperary in Carrigaline, also at 2pm.
Munster Under 20 Football Final
Cork v Kerry tonight, Thursday in Austin Stack Park Tralee at 7pm
In all probability, this is the first of three Munster finals between these age old rivals; the senior is set for next week and based on the opening results in the minor grade, they look all set to meet in that final as well.
From a Cork perspective, reaching the finals is one thing but in recent years the graph has regularly tilted the way of the Kingdom.
When the sides met in the group phase, Cork won in what was a strange and low scoring encounter, but even after losing senior player Dara Sheedy to injury, manager Ray Keane’s side got over the line and that in itself was important.
Cork followed that with a comfortable win over Waterford and in the process scored 0-33 with the majority of them coming from play.
Having topped the group which looked unlikely having drawn with Clare in their opening game, the manager was delighted. “Very pleasing and in contrast to the Kerry game, we started well and continued in that vein right until the end against a Waterford team that have had a good run.”
As for facing Kerry in Tralee, Ray was unfazed and looking forward to it. “It’s another game to get into the lads; a bit more at stake and Kerry will be hurting from have lost here and we all know they have very good players.”
On the position of senior player Dara Sheedy, he was expecting to have to plan without the talented Bantry Blues youngster. “I would say we won’t have him and that’s a pity an opportunity for the lad to play in a Munster Final but with the type of injury he has, it’s best to err on the side of caution as he has a big few weeks ahead of him.”
Kerry recovered well from the defeat in Cork to comfortably see off Clare with Paddy Lane, Daniel Kirby, Evan Boyle, Gearoid White, Jack O’Sullivan and Ronan Carroll all playing well, even if they did hit 13 wides.
Sean Coakley, Dylan O’Neill, Danny Miskella, Gary Holland, Darragh Clifford, Ricky Barrett, Luke Shorten and goalkeeper Billy Curtin have been very consistent for an ever improving Cork team.
Kerry at home will be warm favourites and going for 5 in row and they will want to reverse the result of the group game. It’s 2021 since Cork last won this title and it would be nice boost to end Kerry’s dominance of this grade.
Munster Minor Hurling Championship
Cork v Clare on Friday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7pm
Having played their opening two games away from home - 1 win and 1 loss - Cork will welcome the comforts of a home venue for the visit of Clare who after 3 games have only recorded one win.
After the loss to Tipperary last time out manager Donal Mulcahy was taking the positives. “Look disappointed to lose naturally but delighted with the effort. It’s never easy coming to Thurles but as I have always said this championship is a marathon not a sprint.”
Injuries have influenced team selection and Donal was hoping that with the two week break a few more will be available. “Hopefully a couple of lads who would be big players for us will be ready; it’s two weeks until we play again and that will help.”
Like Cork, Clare lost to Tipp in a very high scoring game, they got 3-19, then Limerick beat them and they got their win over Waterford, so on the back of that victory they will hope to get a 2nd positive result to keep them in contention. Donnacha McKenna, Colm Daly, James O’Donnell, Donnacha Flannery and Patrick Murphy were key players in the win over Waterford.
Sam Ring, Liam O’Regan, Finn Cahill, Tadgh McCarthy, Jack Batterberry and Nathan Coffey will be big players for Cork and with 2 home games to come, Limerick next up on Friday week, they are well capable of getting the win.
Munster Minor Football Championship
Cork v Kerry on Monday in Tralee at 7pm
“It’s a nice start and we are delighted with that coming up against a team who had already played 3 games and the way we played was also very important as that is how we prepared.” Manager Keith Ricken was in good form after the win over Clare at the splendid Clarecastle venue last Monday night.
And he had every right to be - it was a very impressive display, they moved the ball with pace and purpose, were dominant in midfield and had this one done and dusted by half-time.
They led at that stage by 17 points, their final tally of 4-25 of which all but 0-2 came from play.
Tom Whooley, Joe Miskella, Barry Hegarty, Jacob Barry, Darragh O’Sullivan and Ben Hegarty impressed in that win.
Keith though is well aware that Kerry will be a stern test, “It always is especially in Tralee, but look we will review tonight, get back to training and prepare as best we can; remember these lads are only 17 some 16 so it’s nice to start with a win.”
Kerry were also easy winners over Waterford and among the players who impressed in that 3-17 to 2-9 win were Danny Lane, Danny Murphy, Fionn O’Dowd, Conor Lynch and Maidhc Ó Se.
Like their U20s, Kerry have dominated this grade but given the scoring ability of both sides, it should be a lively encounter and whatever the outcome, expect to meet again in the final in a few weeks time.
Camogie
On Castle Road also on Sunday at 2pm, it’s Cork v Tipperary in the All-Ireland Under 23 Camogie Championship. Both sides are assured of a semi-final spot but a Cork win would guarantee them top spot which would pit them against the 4th placed team which at it stands is Galway but that could change depending on results over the weekend.
Cork seniors
An excellent weekend on the playing field with both teams recording good wins in the Munster Championship tempered somewhat by injuries to key players.
The worst of all was the season ending one for Ciaran Joyce and having been an All-Star last year, he looked set to nail down the number 3 jersey now he will have to watch on in frustration and what might have been, but knowing the character of the Castlemartyr player he will be back stronger than ever; we wish his well with his recovery.
Rob Downey is out for up to 6 weeks and his presence in a pivotal position will be missed, but at least he will play some part in the remainder of the championship.
With 2 wins from 2, Cork are in a very good position to progress to at the very least the All-Ireland series but one more win or a draw will more than likely put them into the Munster Final.
I’m sure Ben would have taken that after two rounds given that the All-Ireland champions and the league champions were the opposition; they will also welcome the break before heading to Waterford on Saturday week.
Brian Hurley was the big worry after the footballers eventually saw off Tipperary on Saturday to set up a Munster Final with Kerry on Sunday week.
John Cleary subsequently confirmed that his Castlehaven club mate will miss the game but is hopeful that he will play some part in the remainder of the championship.
Hurley made an immediate impact when introduced kicked 3 points including a vital 2 pointer and his experience will be missed in Killarney.
Incidentally with the provincial finalists known after this weekends game, the draw for the All-Ireland series will take place on Monday, in what is a changed format from previous years.
Darragh King RIP
The untimely passing of Darragh over the weekend evoked sadness throughout the county and beyond none more so in his native Carrigaline where he was a well respected dual player having featured their recent run of success.
His club mate Brian O’Driscoll paid a nice tribute on Saturday when playing with Cork in Thurles he wore a black armband and the respectful minute’s silence/applause in the Park on Sunday was also well received.
Sincere sympathy to Darragh’s family, friends and his club mates in Carrigaline GAA at this very sad time. Rest in peace young man.