Make or break weekend in hurling championships
It’s the final round of games in the Co-Op Superstores County Hurling Championships across all 5 grades.
Some clubs are guaranteed knockout hurling in the coming weeks, others must win to stay in contention and for a number, it’s an effort to avoid the dreaded relegation battle.
The matches are spread over the weekend and all games in each group and championship are played at the same time.
Premier Senior on Sunday at 4pm
4 of the quarter-finalists from the club section are known before a ball is struck this weekend, and they are joined by champions Imokilly who were convincing winners of the Divisional and Colleges Section on Sunday. Sars, Glen Rovers, Blackrock and Charleville are already through, while Fr O’Neills, Newtownshandrum and Erin’s Own cannot progress. There is also 1 semi-final spot up for grabs and that is between Glen, Sars and Blackrock.
Group 1
Sars v Glen Rovers in Páirc Uí Rinn and Erin’s Own v Fr O’Neill’s in Killeagh.
The big game here is in Páirc Uí Rinn where the winners could claim the semi-final spot so while they are both qualified expect a real tight contest.Sars will start as favourites but the Glen will relish the challenge presented and are well capable of winning, and could do just that. The all-East Cork meeting is about avoiding the relegation battle which O’Neill’s should win.
Group 2
Charleville v Midleton in Castletownroche and Newtownshandrum v Newcestown in Blarney.
Midleton will have been disappointed not to beat Newcestown last time out but it’s also a game they could have lost. They will need a big improvement if they are to beat already qualified Charleville who with another win could snatch a semi-final place.
The 2nd game is huge for the North Cork side who need the win but might not get it against a Newcestown outfit who just battle and battle to the end.
Group 3
Douglas v Blackrock in Ballyanley and St Finbarrs v Kanturk in Mourneabbey,
A strange, but lovely, venue for the meeting of near neighbours. Douglas must win to have any hope of progressing and were lucky to get a point from their meeting with Kanturk. That point Kanturk got keeps them alive for their meeting with the ‘Barrs who were very poor in their heavy defeat to the ‘Rockies. They will be hoping Brian Hayes is fit, although word is he won’t.
A lot at stake for 3 of the 4 teams in this group.When the dust settles I think Blackrock will edge the semi-final spot, joining Imokilly who are 6th seed. In the QFs, I see Glen Rovers, Sars, Charleville, Midleton and St Finbarrs. The relegation play-off might be Erin’s Own v Newtownshandrum.
Senior A is on Saturday at 6.30pm
Group 1
Killeagh v Carrigtowhill in Aghavine and Na Piarsaigh v Fermoy in Lisgoold.
Carrig are safely through and a 3rd win could see them secure 1 of the SF spots while Killeagh if they win, will also progress even though they are without 2 key players.Na Piarsaigh are pointless but a win and a Carrig victory would give them a slim chance of moving on but the heavy defeat in the last round and the possible absence of Daire Connery won’t help. Carrig and Killeagh to join them at a pinch to progress.
Group 2
Castlelyons v Inniscarra in Páirc Uí Rinn and Bishopstown v Ballyhea in Buttevant.
This is done and dusted; Castleyons and Inniscarra are qualified and the winners will get the semi-final spot, while Bishopstown who were close in their opening 2 games should get the win to preserve their status.
Group 3
Blarney v Courcey Rovers in Newcestown and Bride Rovers v Watergrasshill in Ballynoe
The only team that cannot qualify are Courcey Rovers who will find it hard to get the better of a quality Blarney side who hammered highly rated Watergrasshill in the last round. The ‘Hill will look to recover from that with a local derby against unbeaten Bride Rovers and they will be keen to extend their season but maybe the exertions of a long year is taking its toll. Carrigtwohill and Bride Rovers for the SFs, with Blarney, Inniscarra, Castleyons and Killeagh in the quarters.For the relegation play-off, Courcey Rovers and Ballyhea.
Premier Intermediate is on Sunday at 2pm
Cloyne v Éire Óg in Mayfield and Carrigaline v Ballymartle in Minane Bridge
Cloyne are the only team through here and will be looking to make it direct to the SF against Éire Óg who have been finding it tough.
It’s throwback to a South-East Junior final in bygone days in the 2nd game where the winners will advance and on the back of a great football win last week, Carrigaline could join them. Cloyne and Carrigaline to progress.
Group 2
Ballinhassig v Kilworth in Rathcormac and Ballincollig v Castlemartyr in Carrigtwohill.
Now this is a minefield; all are potential champions and all are on 2 points so by 3.30pm, 2 of them will be out of the championship and this is not easy to call, and scoring difference could very well come into the equation here.
So let’s take a punt on Ballinhassig and Castlemartyr to win, but it comes with a big question mark.
Group 3
Dungourney v Lisgoold in Castlelyons and Mallow v Valley Rovers in Páirc Uí Rinn.
The all-East Cork clash here will determine how this group pans out as Lisgoold with Diarmuid Healy a key player must win as their rivals are unbeaten. Mallow are out of contention and unlikely to deny Valleys’ bid to make the QFs. Cloyne and Dungourney for the semi-finals, with Valley Rovers, Ballinhassig, Castlemartyr and Carrigaline in the quarter-finals. Relegation play-off Mallow and Éire Óg.
Intermediate A takes place on Saturday at 4.30pm
Group 1
Mayfield v Bandon in Ballinhassig and Midleton v Russell Rovers in Castlemartyr
The key game here is Mayfield who cannot progress v Bandon on 2 points and they should win, while Midleton are assured of qualifying and if they win will go direct to the semi-final while at the same time eliminate their East Cork neighbours.
Midleton and Bandon to win.
Group 2
Sars v Aghabullogue in Ballymah and Youghal v Blackrock in Cobh.
This is done and dusted; Sars and Aghabullogue are vying for top spot, while Youghal and Blackrock are out of contention.
Group 3
Ballygiblin v Aghada in Páirc Uí Rinn and Kildorrery v Erin’s Own in Dungourney.
This was the group that had the controversial Aghada v Kildorrery game that ultimately was declared a draw.
Kildorrery would be fancied to beat Erin’s Own’s 2nd team but Peter O’Brien’s injury is a blow to the North Cork side, while Aghada have turned the corner in both codes in recent weeks and should get the better of Ballygiblin, whose long run of success looks like it’s coming to an end.
Kildorrey and Aghada to progress.Semi-final spots for Midleton and Sars, quarter-finals for Aghada, Kildorrery, Aghabullogue and Bandon. Relegation for Mayfield and Youghal.
Premier Junior Hurling is on Friday night at 7.30pm
Group 1
St Finbarr’s v St Catherine’s in Carrigtowhill, Glen Rovers v Meelin in Glantane.
Meelin are the only team that cannot qualify from this group as they are pointless after two games, Glen and Barrs share top spot on 3 points each, St Catherine’s have 2.
That means the key game here is the meeting of the Saints with the winners progressing as the Glen should claim top spot by beating Meelin, and will likely be joined by Catherines.
Group 2
Nemo Rangers v Kilbrittain in Riverstown and Cloughduv v Barryroe in Páirc Uí Rinn.
Kilbrittain lead the way here on 4 points but will get a real test from Nemo Rangers on 2 points, while even though they have yet to win Barryroe could make it hard for Cloughduv who like Nemo are on 2 points, two hard games to call.
Going to plump for Kilbrittain and Cloughduv to win.
Group 3
Tracton v Milford in Mourneabbey and Ballygarvan v Argideen Rangers in Macroom.
Milford are really struggling and need a win here to give them any chance of avoiding the relegation play-off, which I can’t see them doing, while Argideen should be too strong for Ballygarvan, that would leave Tracton and Argideen to advance.
So the predicted semi-finalists are Argideen and Kilbrittain, quarter-finalists Glen Rovers, St Catherine’s Clougduv and Tracton.Relegation play-off may be Milford v Meelin.
As always there’s extensive coverage of all games across the 5 grades on 96FM/C013 over an exciting weekend.
SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship
4 teams are still unbeaten: Glen Rovers, Sarsfields, St Finbarrs and St Catherines but that will change this weekend as the latter two are meeting in their final group game tonight (Thursday) in Castle Road at 6.45pm.
Glen Rovers with two good wins will look to make it 3 on the bounce when they play Ballinora on Saturday in Castle Rd at 3.30pm and that would see them top their group.
Courcey Rovers and Clougduv meet in the other game where Courceys badly need to win. This is also on Saturday at 6.30pm in Castle Road.
Killeagh and Éire Óg is also a key game; that’s in Bishopstown at 3.45pm, while Sars play Aghabullogue in Carrigline at 6.30pm - both on Saturday.
There are two games on Sunday both in Castle Road, the divisional final is at 3.45pm with Carbery v Avondhu then at 6.45pm, Blackrock play Inniscarra.
Cork Credit Unions Ladies Football Senior Championship
The groups are taking shape here as well with the fancied teams coming to the fore.
In Group 1 champions Aghada have won their 2 games as they head to Clonakilty on Sunday at 12pm. Clon had their 1st win last week, while in the other game, O’Donovan Rossa will be at home to St Vals at 3pm where a win would keep them in contention.
In Group 2 it’s really tight with 3 teams unbeaten on 6 points, but Glanmire have a game more played and their game with Mourneabbey who also unbeaten in the Pike on Sunday at 12pm should be a lively encounter.
Éire Óg should get the better of pointless Bride Rovers in Ovens also at 12pm.
The top two in each group contest the semi-finals, with the remaining teams then dropping down to contest the Senior B Championship on a knockout basis. The picture will become a lot clearer after this weekend’s games.
Managerial appointments
The County Board moved swiftly to appoint Pat Ryan’s successor and the choice of Ben O’Connor was very well received and give his track record as a coach with Charleville, Midleton and the Cork under 20s it’s easy to see why.
His selection committee has a familiar look to it as they worked together at under 20 level and while Niall O’Halloran’s inclusion is a surprise, he has extensive coaching experience at club level in the county.
They have a hard act to follow but they carry the good wishes of every Cork hurling supporter as they bid to finally end our long wait for the Liam McCarthy Cup to return to Leeside.
Ray Keane takes over as Under 20 Football Manager, Donal Mulcahy is the new Minor Hurling Manager and Kevin Murray joins John Cleary’s football backroom as coach/selector. Best of luck to all.