Defining weekend in hurling championship
It’s the final round of games across all 5 grades in the Co-Op Superstores County Hurling championship.
As it stands, 11 clubs have secured their place in the knockout phase while 9 clubs cannot progress so their objective is to avoid the relegation play-off.
You also have the situation where a win does not guarantee you progression as results elsewhere will have a bearing. It’s an intriguing weekend ahead and by around 5.30pm on Sunday the QF pairings will be known along with everything else.
Premier Senior
It’a all to play for in the top grade with Charleville into the next round while all the rest have a lot to play for. All games are on Sunday at 4pm.
Group 1
Blackrock v Kanturk in Mourneabbey, Glen Rovers v Fr O’Neill’s in Carrigtwohill
The ‘Rockies would appear to be in pole position with 2 wins and they face a Kanturk side that were within 2 minutes of ending Glen’s championship ambitions in a cracker last time out.
Jamie Harrington was delighted with the win over O’Neill’s in which Robbie Cotter bagged 3 goals but knows they will get nothing easy. “Not at all, Kanturk are a very good team and they will be hard to beat but look we are in a nice position going into the game.”
Alan and Tommy Walsh along with the McLoughlins and Brian O’Sullivan (1-15 against Glen), will endeavour to get a 2nd win for Kanturk but the odds favour Blackrock.
“Relieved at the win but thrilled with the manner in which it was achieved. The lads showed tremendous spirit in the closing few minutes and to get the last four points shows the character which - I never doubted - that the lads have,” said Glen manager Tomás Mulcahy after the 2 point win over Kanturk.
The sides met last year and while the Glen won, O’Neill’s were in it right to the end and with their season on the line, they will hope that Declan Dalton and Ger Mellerick will bring their A game to this clash. The Downeys Rob and Eoin, Simon Kennefick, Eoin O’Leary and Micheál Mullins were immense in Castletownroche and a repeat will see them over the line.
Group 2
Charleville v Newtownshandrum in Milford, Sarsfields v Douglas in Páirc Uí Rinn
Charleville who are assured of a QF spot will want to maintain their winning run against their North Cork rivals who need the win to extend their season. Darragh Fitzgibbon has been in brilliant form for his side while Tim O’Mahoney and Cormac O’Brien will need to be at their best if they are to deny their neighbours a 3rd win.
Páirc Uí Rinn hosts Sars v Douglas and the champions, having got their campaign back on track last time out look well equipped to make the QF.
Group 3
St Finbarr’s v Newcestown in Enniskeane, Midleton v Bride Rovers in Caherlag
“For the 1st time all year we had 2 very good weeks training as a group and we will get that again before we play Newcestown. We will need it as they are great dual club and we face a real tough test,” said ‘Barrs Manager Paudie Murray after their win over Bride Rovers.
Since that game, word is that both Brian Hayes and Jack Cahalane will not be fit to play and they will be significant losses, particularly Hayes as his presence in attack is huge.
They still have a lot of quality in William Buckley, Ben Cunningham and Ethan Twomey, and while Newcestown are pointless after 2 games, they are hard to beat.
In their game against Midleton they lost by an injury time point, but showed they can be a match for the best. Luke and Jack Meade, David Buckley and Colm Dineen will relish the opportunity to take a big scalp.
Mideton are in a strong position to go direct to the semi-finals and with Adam Walsh out and Cillian Tobin and Brain Roche carrying knocks, that will hamper Bride’s chances of progressing.
Conor Lehane, Tommy O’Connell, Brion Saunderson and David Cremin are in good enough form to suggest Midleton will win.
So when the dust settles, Midleton for the semi-final, Charleville, Glen Rovers, Sars, Blackrock and St Finbarr’s to join Imokilly in the QFs.
Senior A
3 clubs, Blarney Watergrasshill and Erin’s Own are into at least the QFs while surprisingly last year’s runners-up Castlelyons are out along with Ballyhea and Fermoy.
All games are on Saturday at 5.30pm.
Group 1
The two unbeaten teams in the group Blarney v Watergrashill are effectively playing for a semi-final spot and do not be surprised if they collide again at a later stage. Quality players on both teams with Mark Coleman, Shane Barrett and Padraig Power for Blarney and Daire O’Leary and Sean Desmond for the ‘Hill. It should be a cracker with a slight fancy for Blarney.
Castlelyons will look to avoid the relegation when they play Ballyhea in Mallow and they should win.
Group 2
Erin’s Own play Fermoy who cannot qualify in Rathcormac where another win for the Caherlag side will get them the semi-final spot and it’s hard to see them losing this one.
The big one here is the meeting of Killeagh and Na Piarsaigh in Midleton and it’s a winner takes all but a draw might just suit Na Piarsaigh who to their credit had an excellent win over Fermoy despite conceding 3 goals in the 1st half.
They racked up 32 points with the returning Ross O’Sullivan key to that as was Daire Connery, just like Barry Walsh is a big player for Killeagh. It has the makings of a cracker and a nod to Na Piarsaigh to prevail.
Group 3
All 4 sides are in which a chance of advancing with Ballinhassig on 3 points just a slight edge as they play Carrigtwohill in Páirc Uí Rinn; the latter impressed in beating Courcey Rovers despite amassing 20 wides.
Darragh and Adam O’Sullivan along with Ger and Patrick Collins are big players for Ballinhassig who were last year’s Premier Intermediate winners.
Justin Oke, Patrick Walsh, Cian O’Riordan and James Mulcahy impressed for Carrig with quality scores, but they will need to cut out the wides to win this one.
Inniscarra and Courcey Rovers meet in Carrigaline and here Inniscarra will hope that Sean O’Donoghue if fit having missed the narrow loss to Ballinhassig. If he is they might just get over the line.
So Blarney and Erin’s Own to make the semi-finals, with Na Piarsaigh, Ballinhassig, Watergrasshill and Inniscarra into the QFs.
Premier Intermediate
Valley Rovers, Cloyne, Ballincollig and Aghabullogue are guaranteed knockout hurling while Lisgoold, Éire Óg and Bishopstown are out of contention. All games are on Sunday at 2pm.
Group 1
This is all but sorted with a possible semi-final spot up for grabs when the Muskerry rivals Ballincollig and Aghabullogue meet in Ballyanley, Brian Keating is a notable absentee for Ballincollig and that might tip the tie in Aghabullogue’s direction.
The other game in Blarney between Éire Óg and Bishopstown is all about avoiding relegation and here having won in football last week, Éire Óg might shade this one.
Group 2
Cloyne are already qualified and chasing a semi-final spot against East Cork rivals Lisgoold who have lost both their games and will need something from this meeting in Shanagarry if they are to avoid the relegation play-off. Cloyne should win here.
The other 2 teams in this all-East Cork group are Castlemartyr and Dungourney and their meeting in Killeagh is a winner takes all. Hard to call but a very slight fancy for the more experienced Castlemartyr side.
Group 3
Valley Rovers with 2 wins face South-East rivals Ballymartle in Ballinspittle content in the knowledge that they are guaranteed a place in the knockout phase and with a big football game coming up, they might be a bit relaxed coming into this game but it is one they are well capable of winning and that might see them get a semi-final spot.
Páirc Uí Rinn is the venue for the meeting of Kilworth and Carrigaline the latter need a win while a draw will get Kilworth through and that might very well be the outcome.
Intermediate A
Only two issues have been resolved here; Sars are qualified and Ballygiblin cannot.
All games are on Friday at 7.30pm.
Group 1: Aghada v Kilbrittian, Bandon v Russell Rovers
Both Bandon and Kilbrittain are on 3 points with the East Cork clubs on 1 so a lot at stake here, on form though, the West Cork duo should progress.
Group 2: Mallow v Blackrock, Midleton v Kildorrery
Another very tight group with all 4 in with a chance. Mallow are on 3 points so avoid defeat and they will progress while Midleton will be expected to get the better of Kildorrery.
Mallow and Midleton to make the knockout phase.
Group 3: Sarsfields v Ballygiblin, Erin’s Own v Youghal Sars are already through but will look get a semi-final spot with a 3rd win, while Youghal who are improving might just edge their East Cork rivals.
Sars and Youghal get the nod to win.
Premier Junior
As it stands Kilshannig and Barryoe have qualified, while both Glen Rovers and Mayfield cannot progress. All games are on Saturday at 3.30pm.
Group 1: Ballygarvan v Kilshannig, Glen Rovers v Mayfield.
A Kilshannig win will guarantee then a semi-final spot and also throw Nemo a lifeline if they beat Glen Rovers, who were finalists last year and will be determined to stay out of the relegation battle.
Glen Rovers and Kilshannig to win.
Group 2: St Catherine’s v Tracton, Cloughduv v Milford
All four could technically qualify but Catherine’s are in pole position on 4 points and will be expected to beat Tracton, while Cloughduv need a win over Milford to give them any chance.
St Catherine’s and Milford to progress.
Group 3: Barryroe v Mayfield, St Finbarr’s v Argideen Rangers
Barryroe should make it 3 from 3 and in the process secure a semi-final spot while the ‘Barr’s might find it hard to get the better of Argideen Rangers.
A West Cork double here with Barryroe and Argideen to advance.
Camogie
There are round 3 games in the SE Systems Senior Championship; tonight (Thursday) St Finbarr’s v Glen Rovers in Castle Road and in Laochra Óg, it’s Éire Óg v Cloughduv.
On Friday it’s St Catherine’s v Aghabullogue in Castle Road while it’s Sars v Killeagh in Ballinacurra with all games at 6.45pm.
On Saturday in Castle Road at 2pm, it’s Ballinora v Courcey Rovers and at 5pm in Ballinaboy, it’s Blackrock v Ballincollig.
Ladies football
There are 4 games in Cork Credit Unions Senior Championship all on Sunday. It’s Mourneabbey v Kinsale in Grenagh, Aghada at home to Castlehaven, Glanmire welcome O’Donovan Rossa to The Pike all at 3pm while at 5pm, it's St Vals v Éire Óg in Canovee’s ground.