Familiar foes face off in final
There is only one place to be this weekend with no fewer than 5 games of various codes in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and all credit to the ground staff under Colm Daly for the excellent condition of the pitch for last Sunday’s hurling finals!
McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Senior Football Final
Nemo Rangers v St Finbarr’s on Sunday at 4pm
“If you can’t go to the jazz you’re doing something right,” Nemo captain Stephen Cronin said ahead of Sunday’s final with their keen rivals from out the road.
Both sides had tough starts losing their opening game but they gradually improved as Stephen explained. “We had a few injuries and lads away for that game but as they came back we improved and the win over Castlehaven gave us great confidence.”
This has been the one season that Ross Corkery has managed to avoid injuries and the talented forward is thrilled. “I played in all our league games and the 5 championship matches and that’s been the first time that has happened and it’s great.”
Like his captain, Ross is really looking forward to Sunday. “It’s what you train for and the fact it’s our rivals makes it all the more intriguing.”
Did the hurt of last year’s 1 point defeat drive them on? “That was disappointing but once the game is over, you can’t change the result and you just have to park it and move on.”
It’s been a hectic time for the ‘Barr’s battling on both fronts, but for Ian Maguire that has just galvanized the club. “It’s hard going on the lads playing both but the management work well and we are exactly where you want to be.”
Ian has been around long enough to know the toughest test awaits. “Nemo are always the team to beat and we know that we have played them often enough and Sunday will be no different.”
The group phase was tough after an early defeat, in fact the champions only qualified on scoring difference but that’s the beauty of the format. “We were hanging on for a bit waiting for other results having lost to Mallow, but we have improved as the knockout games started and that is encouraging.”
Sam Ryan is one of the few non duals players on the ‘Barr’s team and is relishing the challenge of defending their title. “Yes it’s another challenge and one we embrace and Nemo are a team we have huge respect for but don’t fear but know we will need to be at our best if we are to win.”
Their best display was in the QF win over Carbery and they carried that into a tough semi-final. “We were very good that day and that set us up nicely for what we knew would be another tough test against Clonakilty, and so it proved but again we worked hard and got the job done.”
Injuries and managing your schedule is priority for both selection committees and the ‘Barr’s one has been that bit tougher, but selector Ian Keeler is happy with how they have worked on this.
“It’s not easy we all know that but both management teams meet regularly and work out a schedule with the players foremost in this and so far we have no complaints.”
Ian is well aware of what lies ahead: “It’s Nemo and they say the same both clubs have been regular contenders and know enough about us as we do about them so there will be no surprises on Sunday.”
Robbie O’Dwyer is the Nemo manager and has confirmed an injury to Barry Cripps will limit his involvement on Sunday. “Barry has missed the last couple of games, he is training but we don’t think there’s 60 minutes in him yet but he could play some part.”
That aside Robbie is looking forward to the game. “We had a good two week run in and everyone is ready.
A tough semi-final that went the distance but when it mattered we took our chances and that got us over the line.”
It is Nemo’s 5th final in a row and last year’s defeat was the first time they had lost 3 on the bounce - they won’t want it to be a 4th.
On the other side it was the first time that the ‘Barr’s had beaten Nemo in a final and they are bidding to win back to back titles - something they last did in 1980. As with all games between these southside neighbours it will be a fascinating encounter when you look at the quality on both sides.
Micheál Aodh and Darragh Newman are top class keepers.
Kieran Histon, Stephen Cronin and Kevin O’Donovan anchor the Nemo defence, similarly Dylan Quinn, Ryan, Alan O’Connor for the ‘Barr’s.
The midfield battle will be interesting Ian Maguire and Brian Hayes for the champions facing Alan O’Donovan and Brian Murphy for Nemo.
Look at the attacking ability - Steven Sherlock, William Buckley and Thomas Egan for ‘Barr’s, Brian Hayes, Corkery, Conor Horgan and Mark Cronin for Nemo.
Will there be an impact off the bench? Dara O’Sullivan has grabbed vital scores for Nemo, with Cillian Myers Murray for the holders.
How will the hurlers loss effect the ‘Barr’s? It could very well give them extra motivation to avoid a second final defeat in 7 days.
Who will win? Barr’s looked better for long periods of last year’s final, and were very nearly caught late on as a few Nemo efforts to level it coming up short, so expect a similar contest.
It could go to the wire again but St Finbarr’s to retain it.
Both football finals are live on C103 and the Onic Player.
McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Junior Football Final
Cobh v Canovee on Sunday at 2pm
Both had easy wins in their respective semi-finals and that sets this one up nicely.
Runners up two years ago, Canovee have been touted as favourites from the outset and they have some very good players among them Evan Dodd, Eoghan Lehane, Daire McMahon, Jack Kelleher and Jason O’Riordan.
Cobh were beaten semi-finalists last year and were clinical in dispatching St Nick’s in their semi-final racking up an impressive 3-21 in the process but will they be in a position to repeat that? Should they, it will take a huge effort from Canovee to deny them.
Adam Lynch, Evan Cummins, Diarmuid Kearney, Adam McCarthy, Conor McLoughlin and Eoin Cullimore impressed in that win.
Two teams with top class forwards on view, but just a bit more in Canovee I suspect and they get the nod to win.
Co-Op Superstores Premier Junior Hurling Final
Kilshannig v St Catherine’s on Friday at 7.30pm
The East Cork side have been down this path before and that will help, but Kilshannig have emerged as a serious outfit handing out some trimmings, in fact both topped their respective groups in impressive fashion.
A look at their semi-final results is a clear indication of two exceptional teams; Kilshannig scored 2-24 against Argideen Rangers, while Catherine’s racked up 5-19 in their win over Barryroe. The North Cork outfit have been in a number of finals, in both codes in the last number of years and just like Catherine’s that will benefit them.
Andy Hourigan bagged 0-6 in their semi-final, while Billy Curtin, Damien Murphy, Darragh O’Sullivan, Paddy Walsh and Tom Cunningham all made important contributions.
Catherine’s are under new management this year and this will actually be their 4th final in 5 years, they also had a Munster championship campaign and were Munster champions 2 years ago, so they have a group of players with plenty of big match experience.
Eoin Davis is a top class goalkeeper, and John Temple, Dan Mangan, Brian Mulcahy, Oisin Fitzgerald, Sean O’Donoghue and Matthew Mulcahy are big players for them.
Two exceptional teams which should produce an entertaining contest that could also be impacted by the weather; it should be close and not easy to pick a winner but will Catherine’s to shade it.
Camogie and shinty internationals
Ireland v Scotland on Saturday at 4pm for the camogie with the hurling at 6pm
It’s a very attractive double header and a nice Cork feel to the games with them being played on Leeside for the very first time.
Ger Manley manages the camogie team that will feature 7 players that were on the Cork All-Ireland winning team with Ashling Thompson as captain. Amy Lee, Ava Fitzgerald, Emma Murphy, Isobel Sheehan, Saoirse McCarthy and Laura Hayes complete the Cork involvement.
The Cork connection on the hurling team is provided by recently retired Seamus Harnedy.
It is only fitting that this quality player should get one more opportunity to play on a field he graced with distinction for many years - a nice way to sign off.
For all involved it’s great honour to represent your country and I am sure the players will cherish what should be a special occasion. It will be my first time seeing this game live and I am really looking forward to it and hopefully a good crowd will attend.
I spoke with Scottish people at the launch recently and they were hugely impressed with the stadium and relishing the opportunity to play there.
Camogie and ladies football
There are 5 Cork clubs in AIB Munster Championship action this weekend on Sunday. In camogie St Finbarr’s begin the defence of their title when the play Truagh Clonlara from Clare in MTU at 1.30pm in the QF. I understand ‘Barr’s sought a change of time for this game in light of the football final but were unable to be facilitated.
So much for integration!
The remaining 4 are in the ladies football semi-finals; in Senior Aghada travel to Waterville on Sunday to play Southern Gaels at 1.30pm.
Inch Rovers are at home in Killeagh on Sunday at 1pm to Templemore in Intermediate, while in Junior, Carrigaline are on the road to face Ballymacelligott on Saturday at 1pm.
In the Senior B grade, Glanmire welcome Castleisland Desmonds to the Pike on Saturday at 1pm.