Clubs focus on Munster championship fixtures
With the majority of the county championships complete, the attention now is very much on the AIB Munster Club Championship with big games in 3 codes over the weekend.
For Ballincollig and Glen Rovers, their Munster hurling campaigns came to a disappointing end last Sunday, while they are still basking in the glory of county wins, I am sure both would have wished to extend their season for another couple of weeks at least.
Munster Senior Football QF
Nemo Rangers v Loughmore-Castleiney on Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 1.15pm
“Ah sure look you have to celebrate but we got back for a recovery session on Wednesday and then on the field Friday and over the weekend,” Nemo Rangers manager Robbie O’Dwyer said ahead of Sunday’s game.
In a Cork v Tipperary club meeting, the odds would favour the Cork team but Robbie said: “Maybe but they have won the Tipperary championship 3 times in the last number of years and along with Clonmel Commercials - who beat us a few years ago - they have been the dominant team in the county.”
Nemo have an excellent record in this championship and it’s one they would like to improve on. “Of course but it is one game at a time and that is how we will approach Sunday.”
Loughmore maybe better known as a hurling club but having been knocked out early in the hurling they solely focus has been on this game. “They have had a 3 week run in as against 2 for us, and we saw how that might have impacted on the Glen last Sunday, but we are happy enough and looking forward to it.”
The Tipperary champions are backboned by the McGraths, John, Brian, Liam, Noel with 11 medals - 6 in football, while Seamus Kennedy, Eoin O’Connell, Joey Quinn and Ed Connolly impressed as they won their 17th county football title.
With a host of quality players, they will not fear Nemo and will relish the challenge facing them.
Nemo were very impressive in the final win over the ‘Barrs and that will give them confidence ahead of this tie, even if some of their players are playing in their 1st Munster campaign.
There is though a lot of experience in their team as they showed in the county final.
Micheál Aodh made a couple of excellent saves, Kieran Histon keeping Steven Sherlock scoreless was a huge factor in the win, captain Stephen Cronin was outstanding while once again Kevin O’Donovan showed his value to the team.
The midfield duo of Briaín Murphy and Alan O’Donovan could both have got the man of the match gong and if they are as good again, the attack will prosper.
In that area Ross Corkery, Brian Hayes, Mark Cronin and Ronan Dalton will need watching.
The impact of the bench will also be important and in Conor Horgan and Dara O’Sullivan have done just that when introduced.
Loughmore are a good side but it’s hard to see Nemo slipping up and they should progress to a semi-final against Fr Casey’s from Limerick in two week’s time where they will once again enjoy home advantage.
Munster Club Junior Football QF
Canovee v Parteen/Meelick on Saturday in Meelick at 1.15pm
A bit like the senior QF, the Cork champions will be fancied to win this game even with it being played at the Clare champion’s venue.
Parteeen/Meelick defeated Curry in the county final in a low scoring encounter, a bit like the Cork final, 2-9 to 1-5. It was also the club’s 1st ever adult football title which is a fair achievement as their very 1st adult football team only played their 1st competitive game in 2018.
Tom Collins, Sean Connelly, Jack Kirwan, Sean Maxwell, Eoin O’Connell and Ewan O’Brien are big players for the Clare champions.
Canovee were very impressive in winning the county championship but were a bit below par in the final only winning by a point against a gritty Cobh side.
In fact only a very late turnover by Liam Kelleher they might not have won; they also spurned a few clear cut goal chances in the final and they will be looking to rectify that aspect of their game.
Maybe now that they have the title they will play with a bit more freedom as they do have some very good players.
Daire McMahon, Evan Dodd, Sean O’Connor, James Moynihan, Eoghan Lehane and Jack Kelleher have been consistent throughout the championship and if they can maintain that level, they should win.
Athea from Limerick or Mullinahone CJ Kickhams await the winners in the semi-final and should it be Canovee, they could very well enjoy home advantage.
Munster Ladies Football Senior Club Final
Aghada v Gaultier on Sunday in Mallow at 3.30pm
An interesting encounter here as Gaultier won the Waterford title for the very 1st time.
A welcome change some would say in that for 45 years in a row, Ballymacarbry were the Waterford champions - that unbelievable run was ended last year by Comeragh Rangers.
Gaultier then inflicted a 2nd final defeat in a row on Ballymac by beating them in this year’s decider by 1-8 to 1-4.
They were only founded in 2014 and on Sunday week at least 10 of their players will feature in the Munster camogie final against St Finbarr’s.
They then backed that up by reaching Sunday’s final with Molly Comerford a key player for them and getting good support from the likes Katie Desmond 1-1 in the final, Grace Geraghty, Roisin Kirwan, Caoimhe Flynn and Erin Butler.
Waterford ladies football has improved considerably in recent years and they were very unlucky to lose to Cork in this year’s All-Ireland Championship and this will represent another opportunity for further improvement.
Aghada themselves were impressive winners in the county final and then beat Cahir and Kerry champions Southern Gaels to make the Munster Final for the very first time.
Roisin Phelan, Abigail Ring, Katie O’Farrell, Rachel Leahy, Kaitlin Smith and Claire Walsh will look to lead by example and set themselves for what would be a historic 1st Munster title, but they will need to be at their very best to beat a fancied Gaultier side.
Munster Ladies Football Intermediate Final
Inch Rovers v St Ailbes on Sunday in Mallow at 1pm
This is a second East Cork side chasing Munster glory and here they will start as warm favourites to land the title.
Orlaith Murphy, Sorcha O’Driscoll who scored 1-7 in the county final win over Bride Rovers, Annie and the very experienced Angela Walsh gives them a vital edge and it should be enough to get them the win.
Munster Ladies Football Senior B Final
Glanmire v Liscannor on Saturday in Mallow at 1pm
Of all the finals this weekend, this one ends at provincial level as there is no All-Ireland series and Glanmire will want to conclude their season on a winning note.
A short few ago Glanmire tasted glory in Croke Park so they are well used to the big stage and they will look to Ally McCarthy, Orlaith Roche, Niamh Mc Allen, Sinead O’Donovan and Olivia McAllen to guide them to another title.
Munster Intermediate Camogie Final
Ballinhassig v Boherlahan/Dualla on Sunday in Cappamore at 1.30pm
A strange championship this with only 2 counties participating and the champions of Cork and Tipperary going direct to the final and of course an opportunity to get to play and All-Ireland Final in Croke Park - a bit to go for that to happen yet though.
Ballinhassig were impressive winners of the Cork title and Eimear O’Sullivan, Deirdre Coomey, Geraldine Collins, Aisling Lombard, Catriona Collins, Aoife Casey and Millie Lombard are big players for the Cork champions and may be good enough to get them over the line.
General
Congratulations to Niall O’Leary and Brian Hayes on well deserved All-Star awards.
Best wishes to Ger Manley as he steps down as Cork Senior Camogie Manager, 2 All-Ireland titles in 3 years, this year’s one against all the odds. He was a pleasure deal with at all times.
Shout out to Kanturk on joining St Finbarr’s and Newcestown as Premier Senior dual clubs in 2027 - a remarkable journey that is not yet over I would suggest.
There are some interesting Allianz National League fixtures especially for the footballers back in D1 with 4 away games, to Donegal, Armagh, Galway and All-Ireland champions Mayo - nothing easy there.
The two big Saturday night hurling games in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh to look forward to are against Limerick and Galway.