Football quarter-finals take centre stage
With the last 4 in the hurling championships now known, the focus this weekend on the McCarthy Insurance Group County Football championships as clubs bid to extend their season into October, while others bid to preserve their current status.
It’s semi-final time in the senior camogie and ladies football championships.
Premier Senior Football
St Finbarr’s v Castlehaven in Clonakilty on Sunday at 3pm
“It’s a daunting task facing the champions but look we have had great games with them over the years, some we lost some we won, but it’s what the draw has thrown up, and we are looking forward to it,” said ‘Barrs selector Jimmy Barry Murphy after the emphatic win over Carrigaline that almost secured them a semi-final spot.
Castlehaven’s surprise defeat to Newcestown in their last round was an upset, one the champions probably were not expecting but the result on the day was well deserved and now we have this tasty encounter.
Of course the other scenario is the Cahalane brothers (Jack carrying a slight knock) who played outstandingly in the ‘Barrs’ hurling win last Sunday now go in direct opposition to at least 6 dual players. It’s not the first time it has happened and only adds to the intriguing encounter.
It really has the makings of a fascinating clash and very little has divided them over the years, they even went to a penalty shoot out in one game.
There are class forwards on both teams; Steven Sherlock and a fit again Brian Hayes who showed his value with his display last Sunday, Brian and Michael Hurley for the ‘Haven.
Throw in the quality of Ian Maguire, William Buckley, Darragh Newman, Rory Maguire, Mark Collins and Andrew Whelton and this one could go the distance.
The ‘Haven’s bid for 3 in a row was slightly derailed in the last round but they might just get back on track in this game, narrowly.
The match is live on C103.
Carrigaline v Newcestown in Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday at 2pm
Two recent winners of the Senior A Championship collide with a SF place against Nemo Rangers on offer.
Newcestown have the unusual situation of having a clear two week run into this game, unlike Carrigaline who were hurling last Sunday and the West Cork men might just fancy their chances.
Especially if David Buckley hits the scoring heights of recent rounds, while if Brian O’Driscoll is an absentee for Carrigaline, it could tilt the tie Newcestown’s way.
Duhallow v Ballincollig in Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday at 4pm
The divisional side are doughty opponents but some of their players involved in club games on Friday and Saturday will not help as we saw with the Imokilly hurlers last Sunday.
Ballincollig dug out a narrow win over Douglas and while they had hurling last week, their preparation might be that bit better and with Luke Fahy, Cian Dorgan, Liam O’Connell - two weeks training will have helped, and Peter O’Neill in good form, they should shade this one.
They need to keep Donnacha O’Connor in check.
Senior A
Bishopstown v Éire Óg on Sunday in Ballyanley at 3pm
Both of these sides will have been disappointed with their hurling exploits in recent weeks and this intriguing encounter provides them with the ideal platform to extend their season.
Bishopstown looked set to make the semi-final but a defeat to Ballingeary in the last game upset that plan. With hurling last week, their preparation might not be the best, but they have enjoyed a relatively good campaign to date.
The Murphys Kevin and Jack along with Conor Dunne, Darragh O’Connor and Brian Clifford are impressing.
Éire Óg were on the brink of elimination heading into the last round but a gutsy display got them over the line with as ever Colm O’Callaghan leading the way, and with Chris Kelly, Colm Clifford, Dylan Foley, Riain O’Flynn and Johnny Galvin making important contributions.
Eoin O’Shea, a key player for the Mid-Cork side, had his red card overturned and that’s a boost.
Hard to call, but a slight fancy for the ‘Town to win.
Kanturk v Knocknagree on Saturday in Kilbrin at 5pm
The most local of local derbies between two clubs that have been there or thereabouts in various championships over the years, but is the tide running out for both?
Simply because the replacements are not yet ready to take over from the many outstanding players that have worn the respective jerseys with distinction, and to be fair are still doing it.
Knocknagree are slight favourites even if they had it tough against Fermoy last time out, eventually getting the job done.
Patrick Doyle, Eoghan McSweeney and Daniel O’Mahony are huge player’s for JFD’s side whose desire to reach the top tier in Cork football is as strong as ever, and they are in D1 of the league next season.
Kanturk have been battling on two fronts for many years now and for the first time in a while they’ve enjoyed a two week run in to this game and that can only be of benefit, and with the usual suspects of the Walshs, McLoughlins and others leading their challenge, they will relish this game.
Local derbies take on a life of their own, but Knocknagree to edge it.
The two Gaelthacht clubs Cill Na Martra and Ballingeary await the winners.
Premier Intermediate
Glanmire v Aghada on Saturday in Lisgoold at 5pm
Glanmire’s first year at this level has so far been a productive one but they face a tough task here as the Rostellan lads have really improved in recent weeks in both codes, but having enjoyed great success as underage level - they are in the Premier 1 Minor Final - Glanmire to move on.
Aghabullogue v Kiskeam Sunday in Banteer at 2pm
Kiskeam were very impressive in their win over Castletownbere last time out with a goal burst of 3 goals 5 minute with full-forward Dave Scannell getting 2-4 and Sean Meehan excellent for them.
It was their 1st championship win in 2 years, but they meet and Aghabullogue side well versed in the art of winning and they could continue in that vein.
Semi-finalists in this grade are 2 more Gaelthacht sides Naomh Abán and Iveleary.
Intermediate A
Ilen Rovers v Mitchelstown in Bandon on Saturday at 4.30pm
After a tough few years, Ilen are heading in the right direction but this is a tough one, especially if Mark Keane is available for the North Cork side, and that might be enough for Mitchelstown to win.
Gabriel Rangers v Ballinora in Rossmore on Saturday at 5.30pm
Even though they were well beaten by Adrigole in the last game and got their hurling campaign in Muskerry back on track last week, Ballinora should be too strong for the West Cork side.
Adrigole and Kilmurry are waiting in the last four.
Premier Junior
Cullen v Canovee in Donoughmore on Saturday at 4pm
Cobh v Inniscarra in Grenagh on Saturday at 4pm
3 of the 4 teams here had hurling last weekend and that might impact on preparations but you still feel that Canovee and Inniscarra - on their first year at this level have impressed should progress. Buttevant and St Nick’s await in the semi-finals.
Relegation play-offs
Premier Senior
Valley Rovers v Carbery Rangers in Enniskeane on Saturday at 5pm
Carbery Rangers to win.
Senior A
Fermoy v O’Donovan Rossa on Saturday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 5pm
O’Donovn Rossa to stay up.
Premier Intermediate
Bandon v Macroom in Kilmurry on Sunday at 2pm
This is a tough one to pick a winner but will go with Bandon.
Intermediate A
St Vincent’s v Dromtarriffe in Macroom on Saturday at 4pm
For the 2nd year in a row that the city side find themselves in this position and they might again survive with a win.
Premier Junior
Millstreet v Ballydesmond in Boherbue on Saturday at 4pm
A big Duhallow derby probably bigger than the meeting of Kanturk and Knocknagree given what’s at stake, but it’s Millstreet to retain their status.
Cork Credit Unions Ladies Football semi-finals
Both semis take place on Sunday at 12pm with the meeting between the champions Aghada and former winners Mournebbey in Rostellan the stand out tie, and a possibility that the champions’ reign could end.
Éire Óg who are in camogie action on Saturday will enjoy home advantage for their meeting with St Val’s and despite the dual involvement should win.
One other important game is the senior relegation play-off between Castlehaven and Bride Rovers in MTU on Sunday night at 7.30pm.
SE Systems Camogie Championship
The 2 senior semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday with holders and favourites to retain their title St Finbarr’s playing Blackrock at MTU at 2pm, with Castle Road hosting the second game. That features St Catherine’s who knocked out Sars facing Éire Óg at 4.30pm.
The expectation is that it will be an all saints final.
In Premier Intermediate it is also SF time, the all-Carrighdoun meeting of Ballinhassig and Ballygarvan is in Shamrock’s ground in Shanbally, while Coachford is the venue for the meeting of Ballincollig and Newcestown both at 2pm on Saturday.
Minor finals
There’s a double header in the Rebel Óg football finals in Páirc Uí Rinn on Monday night.
At 6.30pm in Premier 2, holders Donoughmore play St Finbarr’s while in the Premier 1 Final, it’s Ballincollig who are alsobidding to make it back to back titles when they play Glanmire.
Patrick Horgan
When news broke on Tuesday around 6pm that Hoggie had retired from inter-county hurling it was as if nothing else mattered on that day.
Social media and all other outlets took over as his statement was read with interest and then came the tributes from far and near and all well deserved.
He leaves without the one medal he craved but that does not define him, a class player and a class guy off the field that at all times was and remains a pleasure to deal with. Thanks for everything Patrick and to many more days in the other jersey you cherish - that of Glen Rovers.