Vital games in football championship
After the drama and excitement of the Cork’s victory in the camogie final, the focus this weekend is on round 2 of the McCarthy Insurance Group County Football Championship with several big guns battling for survival following 1st round losses.
Premier Senior
A couple of shock results, or were they, in round 1 now sees champions St Finbarr’s and last year’s runners up Nemo Rangers in must-win games which will make for some intriguing and exciting games over the weekend.
Group 1
St Finbarr’s v Douglas on Friday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.15pm
Douglas drilled in 4 goals while beating Mallow as the ‘Barrs slipped to a surprise defeat to Carrigaline who were coming in off the back of winning the D2 League and were obviously playing with confidence.
Shane Kingston, Luis Dawn Fogarty, David Buckley, Adam Cantwell and Dylan Ward impressed for Douglas and they will relish the opportunity to take a big scalp.
The ‘Barrs will not want to give up their title after just two rounds so expect a response. Ian Maguire carried an injury into that game and they will hope that he has recovered; they have big players in Steven Sherlock, Brian Hayes, Darragh Newman and William Buckley and they will need them all. I expect a response from the champions and enough to keep their season alive.
Carrigaline v Mallow on Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 4pm
The key for Carrigaline is to try and repeat the form they showed in the 1st game. If they manage that especially if Eanna Desmond and Brian O’Driscoll play as well again they should and probably will win.
Group 2
Nemo Rangers v St Michaels on Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 2pm
Nemo on the verge of elimination after 2 rounds is not something you would be writing very often but that is the scenario they are facing. Of course it’s the same for Michaels who only managed 1-5 in their loss to Valley Rovers.
Nemo expect to have a few players back and if Mark Cronin, Micheál Aodh Martin, Kevin O’Donovan and Conor Horgan produce the goods, the win they badly need will come their way.
Newcestown v Valley Rovers on Saturday in Coachford at 4pm
A very impressive win by Newcestown over Nemo make them hot favourites to win this one, and remember they were semi-finalists last year.
There is a doubt about Luke Meade but with David Buckley in scoring form, they will be fancied to win, and unless Valleys improve their scoring - 1-7 last time out - they will struggle get something from this game especially against a dogged and determined Newcestown side.
Group 3
Clonakilty v Castlehaven on Sunday in Rosscarbery at 3.30pm
Both were very impressive winners in round 1 and there is an intense rivalry between these keen neighbours and that should make for a lively hour with more then just local bragging rights at stake.
There are quality players on both sides; Rory Maguire, Mark Collins, Brian and Michael Hurley and the Cahalanes, although Jack is doubtful on the ‘Haven side while Dara O’Se, Conor Daly, Des Kennelly, Darragh Gough and Maurice Shanley anchor the Clon challenge.
Not easy to pick a winner, so we’ll go for a draw.
Knocknagree v Ballincollig on Sunday at 4.15pm in Macroom
JF Daly’s side got a rude awakening to the top tier of championship football in their opener and he will be hoping and looking for a much improved performance; if not they might be staring at an early exit.
They have very good players in Patrick Doyle, Daniel O’Mahoney and Eoghan McSweeney.
Ballincollig were always 2nd best in their defeat by the ‘Haven but they did bag 3 goals and had good displays from Cian Kiely, Tadgh O’Connell and Conor Dalton, while they will also hope that Luke Fahy and Cian Dorgan are fit after missing that game through injury.
The Muskerry side are a seasoned outfit at this level and well capable of keeping their season alive and at the same time, ending Knocknagree’s championship ambitions.
Senior A
Group 1
Kanturk v Doheny’s on Sunday in Kilmurry at 3.30pm
A good few weeks for Kanturk who had 1st round wins in both codes backboned by a host of dual players among them the Walshs and O’Loughins and they will be fancied to get another win here, although Doheny’s got a good draw with Aghabullogue.
Ballingeary v Aghabullogue on Sunday in Macroom at 2pm
A local derby and as always when neighbours meet, hard to call. The Gaelthacht side lost first time out and if Paul Ring and Matthew Bradley hit form the Ray Keane coached side might just shade this one.
Group 2
Carbery Rangers v O’Donovan Rossa at Black Field Union Hall on Saturday at 6.30pm
If ever there’s a knockout game this is it as these West Cork rivals lost their openers so a 2nd defeat more or less ends their championship ambitions for another season.
Expect a tense and tight encounter and maybe a slight fancy for ‘Ross to win.
Newmarket v Cill Na Martra on Sunday in Clondrohid at 3.30pm
The winners here will go a long way to sealing knockout football in a few weeks time. Dano Dineen and Sean Furey are big players for Cill Na Martra, while Cork hurler Hugh O'Connor impressed for Newmarket in their 1st round win and he could be key again; a hesitant nod to the Muskerry side to win.
Group 3
Kilshannig v Bishopstown on Saturday in Mallow at 6.20pm
The North Cork side made a winning start in their 1st outing at this level while the ‘Town lost narrowly to Éire Óg, in fact a last minute 2 point effort drifted wide, it’s big game for them and they could edge it
Éire Óg v Clyda Rovers on Sunday at 3pm in Grenagh
The big factor in this game is the absence through injury of the unfortunate Conor Corbett and that removes a big scoring threat from the Clyda side.
By contrast Colm O’Callaghan and Daniel Goulding are in top form for Éire Óg and they will be confident of getting a 2nd win and with it a place in the knockout stages.
Premier Intermediate
Group 1
Glanmire v Rockchapel on Sunday at 2pm in Buttevant
Glanmire were involved in a high scoring encounter with Iveleary first day out. At one stage, they looked like shipping a heavy defeat but they battled back and will take confidence from that display and it might get them over the line.
Iveleary v Bantry Blues in Ballingeary on Saturday at 4pm
It’s a vital game for Bantry and they will be hoping that Dara Sheedy is fit to lend support to Ruairí Deane but Chris Óg Jones is a big player for the Gaelthacht side who look better balanced and should prevail.
Group 2
All to play for in this group as both opening games ended level.
Kiskeam v Castletownbere in Inchigeelagh on Sunday at 2pm.
The Beara side who were a bit late putting a management team in place will be boosted by their opening round performance and are well capable of getting the victory.
Aghada v Macroom meet in Ovens on Friday at 7.15pm
The high powered Macroom management team will be keen to get a win but Aghada had a good league and are well capable of nicking this one.
Group 3
Fermoy v Nemo Rangers in Glenville on Friday at 7.15pm
Fermoy came from behind to beat Naomh Abán in their opener and that will give them confidence and the expectation to get a another win and secure a place in the knockout phase.
Naomh Abán v Ballinora Saturday in Carrigadrohid at 6.30pm
The Muskerry side had a big win over Nemo Rangers last time out and will be favoured to win this one as well, although it is silly to write off any Nemo team.
Intermediate A
A big game in group 1 - Buttevant were very impressive on their debut in this grade and face a Kilmurry side who were also first round winners. Hard to call this one, a draw maybe.
Ilen Rovers and Glanworth could be close although a fancy for Ilen to win. St Finbarr’s and Mitchelstown has the makings of a cracker but if the ‘Barr’s lose a few players to their seniors on Friday night, the North Cork side should make it 2 from 2 in Group 2, while both Dromtarriffe and Gabriel Rangers will look to get back on track.
Boherbue and Adrigole were winners in Round 1 and their meeting should be a close affair; maybe the Duhallow lads to edge it, while Bandon might shade their encounter with Kildorrery.
Premier Junior
In Group 1, Kinsale and Cullen were victorious in the opener and the former should edge their meeting, while St Vincent’s will have it tough against Millstreet.
In Group 2, Cobh had a narrow in over Inniscarra last time out and will get a test from Glenville who drew with Urhan, while having won their opening hurling encounter, the Muskerry side will look to bounce back against the Beara outfit.
In Group 3, Canovee and Kilmacabea were big winners first time out and whoever wins their meeting will progress, while the northside derby between St Nick’s and Na Piarsaigh is equally important for both sides.
Canovee and St Nick’s get the nod.
31st O’Duffy Cup for Cork
A dramatic All-Ireland Final before a record crowd was a fitting end to the camogie championship as Cork held on for the win that their 2nd half display deserved.
It’s just reward for a group of players and management who after a difficult start to the season, including a rare defeat to Antrim, winning the All-Ireland seemed a long way off.
That they did is testimony to the resolve within the group and the depth of talent within the county; to lose so many players and still end up as champions tells its own story.
Every player played their part but special mention to a trio playing in their 1st final: Ava Fitzgerald, Isobel Sheehan and Millie Condon - you would hardly know it such was the level they rose to. The welcome home they received on Monday night was the best I have seen for a camogie team and the players were thrilled with the turnout.#The Grand Parade was a sea of red and white and as the bus travelled through the city the reception they received was very special; well done to everyone that turned out and also to all those who made it possible.
Enjoy the celebrations girls.