Knockout hurling from here on in
Some would say the real championship gets underway this weekend with the quarter-finals across all 5 grades in the Co-Op Super Stores County Hurling championships along with the dreaded relegation play-offs. It’s also quarter-final time in the SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship.
Premier Senior
Glen Rovers v Midleton on Friday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.30pm
“The first objective was to get out of the group and we had that done before today but disappointed at some aspects of our game, but look we will learn from it and move on and prepare for Midleton in the QF,” said Glen Rovers manager Tomás Mulcahy after the 4 point loss to Sars.
Tomás also made the point that they had got good game time into a young crop of players. “We have had good success at minor level in the last few years and they will all learn and be better for that experience.”
Midleton boss Michael Keohane was also delighted to make the QF after a tough game against Charleville. “We knew coming here today was not going to be easy but we improved on our showing against Newcestown, and now we get ready for Glen, who we have had some great battles with over the years.”
In those games Midleton have had the edge recently, including a final victory.
Patrick Horgan was really on form the last day scoring 2-10, 1-5 from play and how Midleton deal with that threat could shape the outcome, while Michael Mullins has been one of Glen’s top performers all championship; add in the Downeys Eoin and Rob, Dean Brosnan, Brian Moylan and Eoin O’Leary and there’s a nice balance to the team.
Similarly for Midleton the deployment of Ross O’Regan in defence is new, Conor Lehane is still delivering as are Luke O’Farrell, Tommy O’Connell, Cormac Beausang and David Cremin.
It has the makings of a real cracker that will go to the wire, but Glen to win and set up a semi-final meeting with old rivals Blackrock.
St Finbarr’s v Imokilly on Sunday in Midleton at 4pm
“Look we didn’t get out of the group last year so now that we have this year, we are delighted and looking forward to facing Imokilly,” said ‘Barr’s manager Ger Cunningham after they survived a stiff test from Kanturk in a winner takes all game last day.
This though will be a step up in quality and while Imokilly impressed in their win over Muskerry, they looked a bit off the pace at times, but the one thing they have managed in recent years is being right on the day that matters.
Injuries deny them a couple of players - Seamus Harnedy among them - and with Castlemartyr playing a huge game on Saturday, they will be keeping their fingers crossed that their key players come through unscathed.
That includes Ciarán Joyce, Brian Lawton and Mike Kelly, while they can also call on Diarmuid Healy, Timmy Wilke, Eoin Davis and Jack Leahy - a lot of quality there.
Brian Hayes could be a big player for the ‘Barr’s if fit, his presence at the edge of the square has been missed and he has the potential to unhinge any defence.
There is a lot of pace in the ‘Barr’s attack, William Buckley, Jack Cahalane and Ben Cunningham are top class, add in Ethan Twomey, Damien Cahalane, Billy Hennessey and Conor Cahalane and you know the Togher side will test the champions.
Imokilly are favourites and rightly so, but the ‘Barr’s have the capacity to upset the odds and they just might.
The match is live on C103.
Sars v Charlevillle on Sunday in Castletownroche on Sunday at 3pm
This is a Charleville side that enjoyed a good campaign even if they did lose to Midleton in their final group game but qualification was already secured at that stage, but the manner of that 9 point defeat might be a concern.
Darragh Fitzgibbon is their main player; on his day is he can be a match winner and he gets good support from Cathal O’Carroll, Tim Hawe and Darren Butler.
Sars have recovered from the All-Ireland Club final loss in impressive fashion; they retained their league title and went 3 from 3 in the group phase, but the loss of cruciate injury victim Cathal McCarthy is a blow, and even more so to the lad himself. We wish him all the best with his recovery.
They have excellent players all over the field in Conor O’Sullivan, Jack O’Connor, Daniel Hogan, Daniel Kearney, Ben Graham and James Sweeney and with that array of talent it’s difficult to see Charleville winning.
Senior A
This will be an attractive double header in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday.
Inniscarra v Bride Rovers at 5.30pm
Both these sides lost their final group game with a chance to make the semi-final but with qualification already assured, maybe the focus was not as it should be.
That said the Rovers got a fair trimming from neighbours Watergrasshill who had a lot more to play but the scale of the defeat will worry Stephen Glasgow and his backroom team.
As for Inniscarra, they had a football game last weekend and that might impact on their preparations but the level of co-operation between both management teams will have made it work; they also have a QF in football coming up so things are going well there too.
There are some very good players on both teams: Eoin and Brian Roche, Adam Walsh his scoring returns have been excellent and Cillian Tobin anchor Bride’s challenge while Sean O’Donoghue is in top form and Brian Daly, Frank Horgan and Padraig Holland are delivering for Inniscarra.
A lively encounter with a nod to Inniscarra to prevail.
Blarney v Na Piarsaigh at 7.30pm
As they headed into their final games, Blarney needed a win to progress, while Na Piarsaigh were bidding to avoid a relegation play-off. They both achieved their goals; the latter’s win was the more important from a survival point of view and that will give them a boost for this game.
The worry though they have picked up a number of injures with Daire Connery likely to miss the rest of the season.
Blarney ripped Courcey Rovers apart and that was statement of intent by a team that contested the last 2 finals and are determined to go the distance this year.
Na Piarsaigh with the pressure off will test them especially with good players in Evan Sheehan, Kevin Moynihan, Ross O’Sullivan and Padraig Guest.
Blarney though look better balanced and with Mark Coleman, Shane Barrett, Olan Hegarty, Eoghan Kirby, Cathal McCarthy and Cian Barrett key players they should and probably will win.
Carrigtwohill and Castlelyons await the winners in the semi-finals.
Premier Intermediate
Cloyne v Valley Rovers in Cobh on Saturday at 4pm
It’s been a good season to date for the East Cork club after a few tough ones; promoted in the league although they did lose the final to Glen Rovers, but they have shown a lot of improvement in this championship even if they were beaten in the last game that probably denied them a semi-final spot.
Valleys had a win over Mallow last time out, ironically they lost in football to them last week, and that will have hindered their preparations but they still might edge this one.
Ballincollig v Carrigaline on Sunday in Riverstick at 3pm
The Ronan Curran trained side turned on the style to send Castlemartyr to the relegation play-off in the last game of what was a very competitive group. They still have a few injury worries but boosted by that display, they will fancy their chances of making the semi-finals, where Ballinhassig and Dungourney are safely anchored.
Intermediate A
Bandon v Erin’s Own on Saturday at 5.30pm in Ballinhassig
Aghabullogue v Midleton on Saturday in Carraig Na bhFear at 4pm
A fair achievement for Erin’s Own 2nd team to reach this stage and they are well capable of going a step further but you would expect Bandon to win, while Aghabullogue will also fancy their chances of advancing to the semi-finals that has East Cork sides Sarsfields and Aghada are already there.
Premier Junior
St Catherines v Ballygarvan on Saturday at 4pm in Riverstown
Cloughduv v Argideen Rangers on Sunday at 2pm in Ballygarvan
Catherines have contested the last 2 finals unsuccessfully and recovered from a 1st round loss to Glen Rovers who along with Kilbrittain are semi-finalists and their greater experience of knockout fare should give them the edge, while the 2nd game is that bit harder to call, but a slight fancy for Cloughduv.
Relegation play-offs
These are big games especially for Newtownshandrum and Erin’s Own in Premier Senior. They play on Sunday in Mourneabbey at 4pm; both will be keen to preserve their coveted status. Form goes out the window in games of this importance but Erin’s Own always deliver when needed and they might just do so again.
In Senior A, Bishopstown will be determined to avoid a 2nd successive demotion when they face Courcey Rovers who were somewhat unlucky to lose to Watergrasshill first day out. The city side were poor in losing to Ballyhea which suggests the Courceys are favoured to survive. They play in Bandon on Sunday at 3pm.
In Premier Intermediate, Castlemartyr’s appearance at this stage is the surprise of the championship, across all grades I suspect, but they should account for Mallow when they meet in Glanworth on Saturday at 4pm.
Youghal will be fancied to get the better of Mayfield in the Intermediate A play-off on Friday at 7.30pm in Carrigtwohill, while in Premier Junior, Barryroe should be too strong for Meelin in Blarney on Sunday at 2pm.
SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship
The quarter-finals are all down for decision over the weekend and some intriguing encounters are scheduled.
There’s a double header in MTU on Saturday. At 2pm, champions St Finbarr’s face Killeagh followed at 4pm by Blackrock v Ballinora.
Castle Road at 1.30pm will see an East Cork derby between Sars and St Catherines, while the final game is also in Castle Road on Sunday at 3pm and it’s Glen Rovers v Éire Óg.
One other important game is the replay of the Senior relegation play-off of Aghabullogue v Inniscarra at 3pm on Sunday in Coachford.
Finally congratulations to the 11 Cork players who have received PWC GPA All-Star nominations all well deserved - ironically 1 more than champions Galway, and that is rare.
One of those nominees Saoirse McCarthy is also shortlisted for the Player of the Year accolade.