Focus switches to club activity

Well, that was one strange and disappointing weekend especially for the hurlers and ladies footballers who saw their championship ambitions end in contrasting fortunes.

It all means the curtain has come down on inter-county activity, except for the senior camogie team who have an All-Ireland semi-final to look forward to.

So, from here on in the focus is very much on the clubs and this weekend alone there are seven County Hurling League Finals to keep an eye on.

Division 1 Friday in Carrigtwohill 7.30

Sarsfields v Midleton

An East Cork derby and a repeat of last year’s county final in which Sars won in what was generally regarded as a poor decider, from a neutral’s perspective of course. Sars did what they needed to do win and they did.

Midleton have been very impressive in the league winning all nine games including the last one against tomorrow night’s opponents, a game in which both were already assured of a place in the final.

Apart from a few injuries and the decision to keep a number of their more experienced players on the line in some game’s Sars as holders have battled hard to make the decider, especially after losing their opening match to Glen Rovers.

With no player on the Cork squad, they have had key players like Jack O’Connor available and he has produced some big displays and they will hope he can deliver again as they bid to retain the title, in fact they are going for 3 in a row.

Conor Lehane has been excellent for Midleton with Bríon Saunderson also impressing. It will be interesting to see if Tommy O’Connell plays and if he does that would be a huge boost for them.

Obviously, the championship is the priority for both teams but it would be nice to go into that with a league title secured and the odds favour Midleton making it 10 from 10.

Division 2 Final

Erin’s Own v Bride Rovers Saturday 12oc

Yet another East Cork derby in this final and with both sides having secured promotion to D1 for next season the winners here will see this as a bonus.

Cillian Tobin is an absentee for the Rathcormac side, but Brian and Eoin Roche will be important players for them.

It’s been a good campaign for Erin’s Own who were relegated from the top tier in championship and rebound by winning eight of their nine games, Robbie O’Flynn should feature and that will be a fillip for his side and might tilt the tie their way.

Finals

The D3 final is also on Friday in Ballincollig at 7.30pm between Blarney and Ballinhassig and if their Cork trio of Coleman, Barrett and Power play Blarney should win

In D4 Kilworth and Aghabullogue meet in Riverstown on Saturday at 7pm. The North Cork side only suffered one defeat in the group stages and that will probably make them favourites but Aghabullogue make a habit of winning finals and could do so again.

Cloyne who lost the D6 Final to Glen Rovers last year have now secured back-to-back promotions and that will put them in good shape for their clash with neighbours Dungourney on Sunday at 2pm in Castlemartyr.

Yet another East Cork derby in the D6 Final, Sars second team play Aghada on Sunday in Cobh at 2pm with the latter favoured to win.

The last decider is the D7 meeting of Ballinora and Barryroe on Saturday at 7pm in Newcestown. This was a very tight group with three teams all on 12 points. Na Piarsaigh losing out on promotion when scoring difference was factored in.

It should make for an interesting weekend with all clubs keeping one eye on their championship opener in a few week’s time.

Mc Carthy Insurance Group Premier Senior Football Championship

Divisional and Colleges Section Final

Carbery v Muskerry Friday Pairc Ui Rinn 7.30

The withdrawal of teams from this section, some at short notice, has diminished this somewhat but all credit to the division’s that did play and in fairness produced good quality matches.

The final should be no exception with the winners getting the Tadgh Crowley Cup and into the championship proper at the quarter-final stage that is a nice incentive.

It’s a quick turnaround for Muskerry and they played their first and only game to date on Tuesday where three second half goals by Conor Dodd, Eolan O’Leary and Jack Kelleher and they were also without the injured Chris Og Jones. Should he be fit for Friday he would be a big addition.

Carbery impressed in seeing off Duhallow although they will be concerned at how they let a big lead slip late in the game and eventually only won it with an injury time point.

Ruairi Deane, Olan O’Donovan, Olan Corcoran who got the winning point, Damien Gore 0-9 in that win and Ryan O’Donovan were big players for the west Cork Division and that might just be enough to get them over the line.

No joy in Croke Park, again

For the second Saturday in a row a Cork team and supporters left HQ disappointed with the result and left to ponder where now for this group of players. Much has been said and written by many on the reasons for this loss, and the manner of it.

Of course, it was a poor display and no one knows that more than the players themselves. Some of the criticism is in my view over the top. Remember they are amateurs after all and the time and effort they have put in since November has been incredible. You can be certain they are hurting right now.

When players and management reconvene after the club championship they will go at it again determined to right the wrongs of last Saturday.

It was also Ben’s first year at senior level and he will surely have learned something. Remember in Pat Ryan’s first year at senior, we failed to get out of Munster and look what happened after. Okay the ultimate goal still eludes us, but you cannot change the result, only hope that the lessons learned will be put to good use.

For now, the players will go back to their clubs and get ready for the upcoming county championship. As they say the show goes on.

Minor glory

On my first viewing of the Cork Minor Football team v Clare in the opening game of the Munster championship on a sunny Monday evening in Clarecastle I was very impressed and felt they could go a long way.

Well now seven games later they are Munster and All-Ireland Champions and end the season unbeaten with some quality displays en route.

Not only that they showed grit and determination to get over the line, on a tough night, weather wise, in Páirc Uí Rinn they beat Kerry for the second time to win the Munster title.

In the semi-final, they conceded two early goals to Derry and bounced back to win comfortably.

Keith Ricken and his management team especially Coach Maurice Moore did a great job and gave everyone a lift after the last couple of weeks.

While it was a team effort some standout players goalkeeper Rory Twohig kicked some magnificent points, including two pointers but more importantly an excellent shot stopper.

Defender Eanna Lynch consistent in every game, Gabriel Oronsaye put an injury behind him to make a huge impact when introduced early in the final, while Joe Miskella an inspirational captain.

Much has been made of the Cork supporters and they are excellent, well they were there in huge numbers and made themselves heard in Newbridge on Sunday, and deserve our thanks for that. Congratulations to all involved. Rebels Abu!

Tough result for ladies footballers

For long periods of their quarter final with reigning champions Dublin they looked like they were going to send the Dubs packing.

However, a couple of late goals, which could have been prevented denied them a famous win.

Overall, they must view the season on a positive note given that they lost key players at various stages, including two to injury for last Saturday, they also won the D1 League title.

The team is in transition and will surely be better for the events of the last few months when 2027 comes around.