Reaching for a semi-final spot
With the hurlers safely into their All-Ireland semi-final John Cleary will endeavour to get his side into the last four, while the camogie girls are on the cusp of progressing to their semi-final.
All-Ireland Football QF
Cork v Mayo Saturday Croke Park 4pm
“It was a great win even though I felt we could have played better particularly in the first half but the lads dug in and got the job done.”
Those were the words of John Cleary ahead of Saturday’s clash with Mayo, a first championship meeting between the sides since 2023 - a game Cork won by 3 points.
Prior to the Donegal game, Cork had a 3-week run in and now it’s 2 weeks since the last game and that has been very beneficial.
“No question about that 2 games in 5 weeks is the best break we have had all season and that’s important in terms of injuries, recovery and preparation,” he said.
On the injury front, the news is positive apart from the long term ones: “David (Buckley) is back training and we will see how he goes this week while the few knocks picked up in Ballybofey are all ok.”
John was in Castlebar to watch Mayo come from behind against Meath and was impressed: “Well there a very experienced team played well and were deserving winners; they move the ball quickly and Kobe Mc Donald is a very good player.”
John is happy where they are at right now in the season: “We said as a group after the league final that while we were disappointed and we want to be back here (Croke Park) and now we are heading there and really looking forward to it.”
The resolve, spirit and depth within the group is strong and growing with every outing: “It is and that was evident in the last match, we were without one of our key players (Colm O’Callaghan) lost Dara (Sheedy) with an injury and the lads that came in got the job done.
“That has been the attitude all year if someone is out another guy comes in and puts his hand up and we move on.”
At stages in Ballybofey Cork looked in trouble, 7 points behind early in the second half but were excellent in the last 25 minutes.
He said: “Very good kept the ball well, kicked fabulous 2 pointers and defended brilliantly always taking the right option which is a sign of confidence in the team.”
Mayo themselves have impressed in their run since been knocked out of the Connacht Championship by Roscommon in the semi-final conceding 1-17 in the second half of that defeat.
They also lost to Tyrone that after letting a 12-point lead slip before getting the better of Monaghan in Clones, so Andy Moran would appear to have them moving in the right direction, but losing leads is a concern.
Jack Carney, Mc Donald obviously, Jack Livingstone a top-class goalkeeper vital saves in the win over Meath, Conor Loftus, Ryan O’Donoghue, Enda Hession, Jordan Flynn and Jack Coyne key players in the last win, even if Meath did finish with 14 when Ronan Jones was sent-off in the 57th minute.
Interestingly Aidan O’Shea, one of their more experienced players, was an unused substitute in that game.
The Cork 15 will be along familiar lines with the expectation that O’Callaghan will return in midfield alongside Captain Ian Maguire once again a wonderful leader when needed.
Patrick Doyle apart from one slip for the goal was solid and effective with his kick-outs, both Tommy Walsh and Luke Fahy kicked top class two pointers with Daniel O’Mahony and Brian O’Driscoll playing consistent football all season.
The attack was a bit blunted. Chris Og Jones and Mark Cronin will have been disappointed with their scoring return, while Steven Sherlock once again showed his value to the team with outstanding scores.
Dara Sheedy looked lively until his injury, Sean Mc Donnell hit a vital point, while Ruair Deane, Conor Corbett and Brian Hurley made an impact off the bench.
One other vital aspect of the win in Ballybofey was the level of support the team received and it was not lost on the manager, “it was fantastic to hear them in the last 10 minutes and the lads and we all do really appreciate it such a long journey and hopefully they will be there again on Sunday, we saw how important it was in our games in Pairc Ui Rinn and it will be just as important on Sunday.”
It’s a hard one to call but this Cork team are getting to know how to win tight games as was very evident in the last two outings, and the confidence is growing with every outing and that I feel will be good enough to get them over the line and into the semi-final and a return visit to HQ in two weeks. Cork to win. The match is live on C103 and the Onic Player.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie Championship
Cork v Waterford Sunday Pairc Ui Rinn at 3.30
Ger Manley’s side appear to be hitting form at just the right time and having won their two games on the road and now with the comfort of home venue could secure a semi-final spot if they avoid defeat in this game.
The format is changed as all 4 teams in this group will progress, top 2 to semi-final remaining two to QF, which will be played in Croke Park before the hurling semi-finals.
It is well documented that Cork had a tough early season principally because with injuries and other issues travel and retirement the team was in transition, but the win in opening game away to champions Galway was a statement of intent.
The second game in Thurles was another excellent performance and that without captain Meabh Cahalane and Ashling Thompson both of whom could feature in this match.
Waterford beat Tipperary, the only team in the group that cannot make the semi-final they are away to Galway on Sunday, in the first round but lost to Galway last time out when a few key players did not feature.
Niamh Rockett was a notable absentee from that game and if back would strengthen Mick Boland’s side while Lorraine Bray, Beth Carton, Brianna O’Regan, Abby Flynn and Vikki Falconer will all be determined to get their second win of the campaign.
After the win over Tipperary Ger was delighted: “I said all along we would be right come championship training has gone well the last few weeks and now we can look forward to playing at home.”
A couple of players could return: “They could, we will play a challenge game before we play Waterford and give the girls a run out and see where we are.
“Look a draw will put us into the semi-final an if that was the case it would mean an extra couple of weeks training.”
Laura Hayes was player of the match in Thurles, while Saoirse Mc Carthy, Emma Murphy, Orlaith Cahalane, Meabh Murphy, Amy O’Connor and Libby Coppinger impressed as well.
Cork will want to make it three from three and I expect they will.
Easy win for hurlers
As many predicted Cork eased into the Hurling semi-final with a comfortable win over a young Offaly side who, to their credit battled to the end, but are clearly a bit off the standard required.
Physically they are also a bit behind and no doubt that is an area they will work on in the months ahead.
They are in D1 B of the league next season getting promoted and making an impact in Leinster will be a priority.
As for Cork plenty of positives from the game, 5 goal return, 2 from Alan Walsh a good blow out for Darragh Fitzgibbon and an impressive outing for Brian Roche.
A few knocks picked up, nothing too serious though and hopefully both Tim O’Mahoney and Tommy O’Connell will be back in the frame for the Galway game, more of which next week.
Once again, a massive Cork crowd, and a decent Offaly support also, but 40,180 is remarkable considering there was less than 14,000 at the Clare v Dublin game the night before.
Early indications are that Croke Park on Saturday week will go close to another sell-out.
Minor footballers impress
The very first night I saw this team in championship action against Clare in Clarecastle, I was very taken by their quality.
Okay, Clare were poor, but there movement, pace and defending was excellent and they have built on that with every outing.
Last Saturday they conceded 2 early goals but did not panic and had their place in the final secured long before the finish.
Tyrone come highly rated, but Keith Ricken’s side have risen to the challenge before them all season Sunday week in Newbridge should be no different.