Football semi-finals dominate the weekend
Focus this weekend switches to the McCarthy Insurance Group County Football Championships and just like last weekend, 10 semi-finals are scheduled.
The pity is though that to facilitate the women’s international soccer match, only 2 games can be played in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Premier Senior
Nemo Rangers v Carrigaline on Saturday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 5.15pm
“Just delighted to be in the semi-final and really looking forward to it, especially with it being our first,” Carrigaline’s Kieran McCarthy said ahead of a big game for the club.
The season to date has been good for them. “We won the league getting promoted to D1 and then going direct to the semi-final has been good for us, but we’re up against one of the best teams in the county and we know it’s going to take a massive effort to win.”
For Nemo reaching the semi-final is more or less par for the course. Not getting out of the group would have been seen as a disaster but having lost the first game they were under pressure as Brian Hayes explained.
“No doubt about it but we regrouped for the Valley Rovers game and then played well in beating Castlehaven.”
In that game Hayes produced a quality performance and he’s glad that the injury is behind him.
That was without doubt their best display and even when Castlehaven battled back, they retained their composure and saw the game out.
There is depth and quality in their team Micheál Aodh in goal, Kevin O’Donovan, Kieran Histon, Alan O’Donovan, Mark Cronin and Conor Horgan have the knowhow to win big games.
Carrigaline come into this game in the ideal position with Nemo as favourites and they will not be overawed.
They have some excellent players in Eanna Desmond - a prolific scorer, Brian O’Driscoll, Callum Barrett, the Coakleys Niall and Brian and Kevin O’Reilly and they will relish the opportunity to take another big scalp having already beaten the ‘Barr’s in the group phase.
It has the makings of an intriguing contest but you just feel that the greater experience that Nemo have at this stage of the championship gives them the edge.
St Finbarr’s v Clonakilty at 7pm
Champions St Finbarr’s are bidding to join their hurlers in the county final against a side that have been boosted by the rescinding of the red card Dan Darragh received in the QF win over Newcestown.
In many way ‘Barrs might be coming good at just the right time, fortunate to come out of the group, but they showed what they are capable of by their demolition of Carbery last time out.
Clonakilty dug out a good win in the QF and they will be confident enough coming into the match.
Conor Daly agreed and said: “We have lost QFs in the last few years and having finally got a win, we are now looking forward to Saturday.”
“Look they’re champions and while we have met in the past and come out the wrong side we have great belief in the group, but at this stage you have to perform if you are to win.”
John Wiggington Barrett has been busy in the last few weeks playing both codes for the ‘Barr’s but says it’s where you want to be. “When you are playing into October, you know you it’s the business end of the season and where else would you want to be?”
Recent meetings between these sides have gone the way of the ‘Barrs but Clon’s form has been good and they won’t fear the opposition and will see this as an ideal opportunity to get to their 1st final since 2021.
There’s a lot of very good players on both teams with Tom Clancy, Maurice Shanley, Chris Kenneally, Dara O’Se and Darragh Gough for Clonakilty, while the usual big game players Ian Maguire, Brian Hayes, Steven Sherlock, Sam Ryan, Darragh Newman and William Buckley for the champions.
Picking the winner not easy but I will plump for the ‘Barr’s.
Both games are live on C103 and the Onic Player.
Senior A
Éire Óg v Cill Na Martra on Satuday in Coachford at 3pm
A Mid-Cork derby to savour as last year’s runners-up Cill Na Martra face the only team across the 3 groups to emerge unbeaten with top class displays en route to the last four.
The Gaelthacht side will not be found wanting and they will be keen to make it back to the decider.
Colm O’Callaghan has been outstanding for Éire Óg with Daniel Goulding showing he has not lost the art of scoring; add in the Clifford brothers Chris Kelly and Ronan O’Toole and it is easy to see why they eased through the group.
For Cill Na Martra, Sean Ó Forreadh, Ciaran, Shane and Dan Ó Duinnin are well capable of kicking 2 pointers as they did against Carbery Rangers - they will really test Éire Óg.
Picking a winner in this one is not easy it might even go over the 60 minutes but a hesitant nod for Éire Óg to shade it.
Kanturk v Carbery Rangers on Sunday in Macroom at 4pm
It’s a quick turnaround for Kanturk, with their dual players - they are coming in on the back of a tough loss in the hurling semi-final - but there is a resilience within this group and they will be hard to beat.
Carbery Rangers have been favourites for this championship since the off and they have justified that tag with some quality displays even playing well in the narrow loss to Cill Na Martra.
The West Cork club were in the top tier two years ago and winners in 2016 and are determined to regain that status and with Dylan O’Neill, the experienced John O’Rourke, Paul Hodnett and Darragh Hayes playing well, they will start this game as favourites.
Kanturk will test them and with Tommy and Paul Walsh leading their challenge this will go to the wire but ‘Ross to get over the line.
This game is live on C103 and the Onic Player.
Premier Intermediate
Iveleary v Naomh Abán on Sunday in Macroom at 2pm
Now this has the makings of a real humdinger as the Gaelthacht sides go head to head for a place in the final.
Both have played well in getting to this stage and Naomh Abán drilled in 6 goals in demolishing Macroom in the QF, with Donal Ó Ceallaigh, Croistoir Ó Deasuna, Ed Ó Mir, Aodhan Ó Luasa and Sean Ó Riordain all delivering top quality displays.
Uíbh Laoire looked comfortable in winning their group and taking the direct route to the last four and have been consistent since coming to this grade.
Chris Óg Jones and Cathal Vaughan are key players for them but there is more to the team than this duo and they will relish this challenge.
Hard to call but going to give Naomh Abán the nod in a match that is live on C103 and the Onic Player.
Kiskeam v Fermoy on Sunday in Mallow at 3pm
Fermoy put the controversy of their game with Ballinora quickly behind them to get the better of Rockchapel in the QF and maybe that situation is fuelling their desire to extend their season and they are facing a side that have had a four week break coming into this game.
Ben Twomey, Tomas Clancy, Fionn Lardner, Ciaran Curtin and Eoin Leahy could steer Fermoy into the final.
Intermediate A
Kilmurry v Boherbue on Friday in Mourneabbey at 7.30pm
An intriguing looking encounter here between two very evenly matched sides, Kilmurry have been excellent throughout this championship unbeaten in the group stages and avoiding the QF will have given them ample time to prepare and maybe just enough to make the decider.
Adrigole v Buttevant on Saturday at 3pm
It’s a 2nd second successive semi-final for the Beara side coming up against last year’s Premier Junior champions who have had a very impressive season so far and could very well continue that form by reaching the final.
Premier Junior
Canovee v Inniscarra on Friday in Macroom at 7.30pm
It’s a Muskerry derby with Canovee as favourites having gone direct to the semi-final, but Inniscarra were in great form in seeing off Milstreet in the QF with Sean O’Donoghue making an impact.
Canovee are fancied by many to go the distance this year but will the 4 week break catch them? If they manage that they should win, but as with all local derbies from goes out the window.
St Nick’s v Cobh on Saturday in Carrigtowhill at 5pm
These two sides met at the same stage and same venue last year where a fabulous two pointer by Zach Lynch got Nick’s over the line.
Both had hurling last weekend with contrasting results. Cobh surrendered their East Cork title, while Glen advanced to the senior final, and that will give them huge momentum.
Timmy Wilke is a key player for Cobh who went direct to the semi-final by topping their group.
Nick’s trailed Kinsale by 10 points early in the 2nd half of their QF but produced a storming last 20 minutes to win by 4. Rhys Dunne, Fiachra O’Driscoll, Ciaran Horgan, Ross Cronin and Lee Qulligan are key players for Nick’s who look capable of getting back to the final.
One other game is the Intermediate A relegation play-off replay between Glanworth and Kildorrery on Saturday in Shanballymore at 3pm. Not even extra-time could separate them last time out after a last minute point rescued Glanworth.
SE Systems Senior Camogie Final
Blackrock v St Finbarr’s on Sunday at MTU at 3.30pm
Over the years these two clubs would have met in many a county hurling final but this is their very first meeting in a camogie decider.
It is Blackrock’s first appearance at this stage of the championship in well over 50 years, while the ‘Barr’s are bidding for 3 in a row.
Both had tough semi-finals recording narrow wins over Sars and Courcey Rovers which will stand to them in what could be another tight encounter.
In many ways it’s a free hit for the ‘Rockies as the ‘Barrs will be red hot favourites and while they will test them, I expect the champions to prevail.
Premier Intermediate Final
Ballinhassig v Ballygarvan on Saturday at MTU at 3.30pm
This game features as near a neighbour you could wish to meet - a mere 5 minute drive from one to the other just adds to the intriguing nature of this fixture and the presence of Cork senior Izzy O’Regan might just tilt the final Ballygarvan’s way.