Key Munster club games dominate
The results in the AIB Munster Club Hurling Championships did not go the way of Cork’s representatives, with Kilbrittain the exception over the weekend, so let’s hope for better luck this weekend with 3 semi-finals down for decision.
It’s also semi-final time in the County Junior Championships, an U21 football and Munster club finals in camogie, did someone say it’s nearly over?
AIB Munster Senior Football SF
St Finbarr’s v Éire Óg Ennis on Sunday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Choimh at 3.30pm
“Thrilled with the win and the character our lads showed out there in difficult conditions, I thought we were gone at one stage but we dug it out against a very good team,” said ‘Barr’s selector Jimmy Barry Murphy after the win over Clonmel last Saturday.
Jimmy also had praise for the Clonmel lads. “We knew they were a good team coming up here and in fairness they have had a tough few weeks with the sad passing of Philly Ryan and they really tested us.”
As for Sunday, “well we can now concentrate on Éire Óg. Our only focus since the county final win was today but you get nothing easy at this level; we know they are playing hurling this weekend but that will give them momentum but we will be ready for them.”
Playing in the Páirc will help. “We hope it will anyway but the pitch there is in great condition and we are just delighted to be in the semi-final.”
Captain Steven Sherlock who kicked some fabulous points is really looking forward to the semi-final. “We said after the county final that we would give the Munster club our best shot and it’s great to be in the semi-final. It’s a brilliant championship and we are really looking forward now to Sunday.”
Just like JBM, Steven knew they were in a real battle in Clonmel. “We expected nothing else; they have been in this championship on a regular basis and have a good record but when it mattered we showed good composure to get the job done.”
Composure, indeed they did, getting the last 4 points and they were 1 down on 58 minutes, and of the 4, 3 were fisted over when other players might have been tempted to go for the goal.
William Buckley had a fine game, he got 2 of those 4 points, Cillian Myers Murray and Ian Maguire the other scorers.
They defended heroically then to prevent a levelling goal and they can now face the last four clash with confidence but know they will need a more consistent performance to make the final.
Éire Óg already in the hurling final had a big win the county final, a 4th success in 5 years, 1-16 to 2-6 over a month ago and with the concentration on hurling in the last couple of weeks, preparation may be limited.
The depth of their squad was evident in that win with 3 substitutes Gavin Cooney, Jack Joyce and Aidan McGrath getting 1-3 between them at a vital period in the game.
Oran O’Connell, Mark McInerney and Ikem Ugwueru all impressed in that win.
They also had the benefit of a QF tie where they were tested by Waterford’s Rathgormac before getting over the line by 4 points.
Playing on familiar ground will help the ‘Barrs and if Brian Hayes, Billy Hennessey, Ethan Towmey and Ciaran Doolan play as well as they are capable they should progress to the final.
The match is live on C103.
Munster Intermediate Football SF
Aghabullogue v Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan on Sunday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 1pm
Fresh from completing the Intermediate county double and the celebrations that followed, Aghabullogue are quickly back in action when they face the Limerick champions, a combination of 3 relatively small areas who because Limerick reached the Tailteann Cup Final received a bye into the semi-final.
It’s been a busy and successful few weeks for Aghabullogue mixing both codes and the odd soccer game as well but the manner in which they deal with the demands reflects greatly on the players, management and club as a whole.
This will be their 4th week in a row playing important games but in Paul Ring, Luke Casey, John Corkery, Matthew Bradley, Aaron O’Sullivan and Colm Gillespie, these are lads that know how to win.
Manager Ray Keane said as much after the QF win over Thurles. “It wasn’t perfect as we had hurling for the last few weeks but they are an incredible group of lads and I know we will be ready for whatever is thrown at us in the semi-final.”
The Limerick lads were easy winners of their county title with Paul O’Shaughnessy, Padraic Murphy, Luke Gemmell and inter-county player Danny Neville their main players.
Aghabullogue should win and again it’s live on C103.
Munster Junior Football SF
Buttevant v Ahane on Saturday at 1pm in Kildorrery
It’s another Cork v Limerick semi-final and Ahane are probably better known for their hurling exploits but they feature 2 former Irish rugby internationals in their team.
Sean Cronin lines out at centre-back while Ian Keatley was introduced as a substitute in their win over Fr Casey’s in the county final.
Others like Tristian O’Sullivan, Gavin Browne, Craig O’Connell and Liam Óg Glynn will hope they can be as effective against the Cork champions.
Buttevant eased into this game with another commanding display in the QF win over Shamrock’s from Waterford and the only concern that day was the injury picked up early on by forward Mark Linehan and they will be hoping he is fit to start.
Even without Linehan, they still racked up a big score 3-21, most of it from play.
The O’Hanlons David and Conor, Aaron Horgan, Seamus Madigan, John and Michael O’Neill are all big players in a very well balanced team.
No doubt the opposition will be a step up from the last day but anything other than a comfortable win will be a big surprise.
In fact by 5pm on Sunday evening we could be looking at 3 Cork v Kerry Munster Club Finals in the first week of December.
AIB Munster Senior Club Camogie Final
St Finbarrs v De Le Salle in Thurles on Saturday at 1pm
It’s a first appearance at this stage for both clubs which means a new name will appear of this coveted cup that has resided in Cork before, with Milford, Inniscarra and Glen Rovers among the past winners but not for some time now.
Both semi-finals were crackers; De Le Salle looked dead and buried in their clash with the Tipperary champions but the class and scoring prowess of now 5 time All-Star winner Beth Carton sparked a comeback and with offering Niamh Power and Keeley Corbett Punch offering good support they got over the line.
The ‘Barrs clash with Newcastle-West in Togher followed a similar path with the home side in control for long periods before in the end winning a titanic battle that took extra-time to resolve.
Stephanie Punch, Orlaith and Meabh Cahalane, Sorcha McCartan whose free taking was a big factor in that win will need to be at their best if they are to win.
The key of course who will be detailed to curtail the talented Beth Carton, if they can manage that they have the capacity to win, if not they will be punished.
Mallow is the venue for the Intermediate Final also at 1pm on Saturday. It’s Ballincollig v Moycarkey-Borris.
While on camogie, congratulations to the 5 Cork players that were honoured with All-Stars last Saturday night: Libby Coppinger, Laura Hayes, Ashling Thompson, Saoirse McCarthy and Amy O’Connor.
Congratulations also to Cork ladies football icon Juliet Murphy who was deservedly inducted into the LGFA Hall Of Fame.
Junior hurling and football semi-finals
Both the football semi-finals that were postponed last weekend have been rescheduled for Saturday at 3pm, Glenville will host the Donoughmore v Nemo Rangers while Kilmacabea and Charleville meet in Páirc Uí Rinn.
Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday at 2pm is also the venue for the hurling semi-final between Ballinora and Cobh.
It’s an intriguing looking contest as the Mid-Cork champions will be buoyed by the win of their intermediate footballers and hope that once the celebrations are parked, the momentum will help.
Cobh have had a two week run in to this game and with Timmy Wilke in good form they might just shade this one - Kilshannig await the winners in the final.
County U21 Football Final
Douglas v Ibane Gaels on Sunday in Macroom at 2.30pm
The city champions have produced some very good minor teams over the years and will head into this game as favourites and that is justified with quality players in Jack Cunningham (2-2 in the semi-final win over Beara), Sean Coakley, Eoin O’Flynn, Luis Dwan Fogarty and Daniel Linehan.
West Cork champions Ibane Gaels - a combination of the Barryroe and Argideen Rangers clubs - under the proposed new County Board regulations will not be allowed compete next season emerged from a competitive divisional campaign.
They then showed their resolve with a battling display against Kinsale in a thrilling semi-final that was eventually decided by a penalty shootout.
Standout players in that win were Tomas Ó Buachalla, Olan O’Donovan, Donagh Flynn, Diarmuid McCarthy and Jamie Collins.
This goes up a notch though and while they will test Douglas, the city lads should prevail.