Football takes centre stage
It has been almost a month since the opening rounds of the McCarthy Insurance Group County Football Championship were played. 2 hurling rounds and a week’s break came into play, but this weekend is a big one.
And just like the hurling especially for clubs that lost their opening round, a win is vital to extend their season and more importantly avoid being dragged into a relegation battle. There are also games in the SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship and round 2 of the Ladies Football making for an action packed weekend.
Premier Senior
Group 1
Castlehaven v Valley Rovers in Clonakilty on Saturday at 6.30pm
The champions - even without Brian Hurley, who returns for this game - got the better of Mallow in round 1 and will be fancied to make it two from two in this game, as Valleys lost their opener and had hurling commitments in recent weeks.
The ‘Haven with Mark Collins, Michael Hurley and Rory Maguire in good from should secure their place in the knockout phase with a win here.
Mallow v Newcestown on Friday in Macroom at 7.30pm
A huge game for Mallow who did play very well in their narrow defeat to the ‘Haven with Matty Taylor despite picking up a black card and Sean McDonnell impressing.
Newcestown have a win under their belts and the hurlers’ draw with Midleton last week will further boost them and they could shade this one.
Group 2
St Finbarr’s v Carbery Rangers in Bandon on Sunday at 4pm
League winners the ‘Barr’s got a real test from Clon first time out but showed their resolve by winning a really tight encounter. Brian Hayes could be an absentee but in Ian Maguire, Ethan Twomey, Darragh Newman and ace marksman Steven Sherlock they will once again be hard to beat.
Clonakilty v Carrigaline in Bandon on Sunday at 2pm
Clon narrowly lost the league final and their championship opener both to the ‘Barr’s so their season and championship ambitions are very much on the line in this game against a Carrigaline side in form and will really fancy their chances.
Tom Clancy and Maurice Shanley will lead their challenge while Brian O’Driscoll and Kevin Kavangh are key players for the Carrigdhoun side. A hesitant nod to Clon to keep their season alive.
Group 3
Nemo Rangers v Douglas on Friday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.30pm
A lot at stake here in this most local of derbies given the proximity of their facilities to each other and with both having won their opening games the winners will progress.
3 years ago when they met in the group stages, Douglas emerged winners and they will be keen to repeat that. Sean Powter picked up an injury in their easy win over St Michaels as well as bagging the only goal, so they will be hoping he’s fit to start.
Padraig Lucey, Conor Russell and Adam Cantwell played well in that game in which they held Michael’s scoreless for the 1st half.
Nemo though showed their qualities in the win over Ballincollig, Micheál Aodh Martin made a couple of very good saves, Mark Cronin, Kevin O’Donovan and Bryan Hayes all impressed and while it has the makings of a tight contest, Nemo to shade it.
Ballincollig v St Michaels on Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 4pm
It’s been a tough few weeks for Michaels and they might find it hard to pick themselves up for this crucial tie. Ballincollig tested Nemo and if they play as well again they should win.
Senior A
Group 1
Éire Óg v Newmarket in Carrigadrohid on Saturday at 6.30pm
Having been relegated last year Éire Óg with Harry O’Reilly back in charge got a winning start against Kanturk and will be expected to win this one as Newmarket lost their opener. Colm O’Callaghan was excellent in that win and if he is as influential again they should progress with a 2nd win.
Kanturk v Kilshannig on Sunday at 4pm in Ballyclough
Last year’s Premier Intermediate champions were easy winners on their debut at this grade and with Kanturk missing a few key players, the O’Hanlons Killian and Eanna could guide them to a 2nd win, but Kanturk are a resilient group and will not go down without a fight.
Group 2
Fermoy v Cill Na Martra on Friday in 7.30pm in Ovens
Cill Na Martra played out a thrilling draw with Knocknagree in round 1 so they will really need to win this one to keep their season alive. Fermoy lost a local derby in round one but will be boosted by their hurlers’ good win last weekend but the odds favour the Gaelthacht side winning.
Knockngaree v Clyda Rovers on Sunday at 4pm in Newmarket
It’s been a roller coaster of a few years for the Duhallow side and that has not changed this season - they are promoted to D1 for next season’s league and are also into the Tom Creedon Cup Final, but this is a huge game for JF Daly’s side; it’s a must win.
Daniel O’Mahoney and Eoghan McSweeney are big players for them while the fit-again Conor Corbett is a key player for Clyda, but the more experienced Knocknagree side could shade this one.
Group 3
Dohenys v Ballingreary on Saturday in Inchigeela at 6.30pm
Ballingeary had a thrilling draw with O’Donovan Rossa in round 1 and now it’s another West Cork derby and that point gained could be useful but the Dunmanway lads will look to improve on their showing against and might edge this one.
Bishopstown v O’Donovan Rossa on Sunday in Ballinascarthy at 4pm
It was a welcome and morale boosting win for the ‘Town over Dohenys in round 1 after a few difficult results and they will be determined to make it back to back victories and in the process make it into the QFs with a game to go.
Rossa’s will test them though but the city side look well equipped to win.
Premier Intermediate
Group 1
Nemo Rangers and Aghabullogue were round 1 winners and they meet on Saturday in Cloughduv at 4.30pm and the winners will advance. Nemo might lose players to the seniors on Friday but if not, they might win this one.
Bantry and Aghada is a must-win game for both also on Saturday at 4.30pm in Kilmichael. Ruairí Deane’s availability for Bantry could be crucial and Pearse O’Neill is still delivering for the Aghada - Bantry to win.
Group 2
Just like in group 1, the 1st round winners Glanmire and Naomh Abán meet in Coachford on Sunday at 4pm. It’s a hard one to call, a draw maybe.
Bandon and Rockchapel head to Clondrohid on Saturday at 6.30pm with a lot at stake, and Bandon to prevail.
Group 3
This group again has round 1 winners meeting. Iveleary with Chris Óg Jones in good form head to Kealkil to face Castltownbere and they will not get anything easy here and the Beara lads might prevail.
Macroom and Kiskeam meet in Dromtarriffe at 6.30pm on Saturday where the Muskerry side should do enough to keep their championship alive.
Intermediate
Group 1
Adrigole v St Finbarrs and Ballinora v Glanworth
Wins for Adrigole and Ballinora
Group 2
Kildorrery v Gabriel Rangers and Mitchelstown v Dromtarriffe
Wins for Kildorrerry and Dromtarriffe
Group 3
Ilen Rovers v Kilmurry and Boherbue v St Vincent’s
Wins for Kilmurry and Boherbue
Premier Junior
Group 1
Canovee v St Nick’s - verdict St Nick’s
Ballydesmond v Urhan - verdict Ballydesmond
Group 2
Cullen v Kinsale - verdict Kinsale
Na Piarsaigh v Cobh - verdict Na Piarsaigh
Group 3
Inniscarra v Glenville - verdict Inniscarra
Millstreet v Buttevant - verdict Buttevant
SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship
The majority of players that featured in that dramatic All-Ireland Final loss are quickly back in action as the opening round continues, with 2 games taking place tonight. Sars meet East Cork rivals Killeagh in Castle Road at 7.15pm while in Ovens at 8pm, there's a Muskerry derby between Cloughduv and Ballinora tonight.
Castle Road is also the venue on Saturday at 7pm for the meeting of Glen Rovers and Courcey Rovers.
Ladies Football
There are 2nd round games taking place on Sunday. In Group 1, there’s a West Cork derby in Skibbereen where O’Donovan Rossa who won their opening game play Castlehaven who lost first time out.
Champions Aghada play their 1st game when the head to Cloughduv and a meeting with 1st round winners St Vals.
Group 2 games are also on Sunday; The Pike in Sallybrook is the venue for the meeting of Glanmire and Kinsale both of whom lost their openers, while Mourneabbey welcome Bride Rovers to their home patch and look set to make it two wins on the bounce for the Ronan McCarthy managed side. It’s Bride’s opening game of the championship.
All four games have midday starts.
Hurling championships
With 1 round of games remaining in two weeks time, a lot has been decided.
Some clubs are already guaranteed knockout fare in the coming weeks, for others it’s in their own hands, while some they are dependent on results elsewhere to determine where they go - knockout or relegation battle. It has the makings on an intriguing weekend and looking at the respective tables in the 5 grades, there is at least 12 clubs whose championship ambitions are over for another year.
The motivation now is to avoid the drop.