Must-win ties for big clubs in hurling
In last weekend’s football championship, big guns Nemo Rangers and champions St Finbarr’s responded to 1st round losses with comfortable wins to keep their season alive.
This weekend in the top grade a similar response will be needed from Glen Rovers, the ‘Barr’s and champions Sars if they are to have a say in where the Sean Óg Murphy Cup will spend the winter.
All three have tough encounters in what promises to be another fascinating weekend in the Co-Op Super Stores County Hurling Championship.
Premier Senior
Group 1
Kanturk v Glen Rovers on Sunday in Castletownroche at 4pm
The last time these sides met in championship, Kanturk won and in the process relegated the city side, so they will not fear facing them again, while Glen will be determined to reverse that result.
Glen were disappointed with their 2nd half display in the loss to 14 man Blackrock and they will once again look to Eoin and Robert Downey, Patrick Horgan, Micheál Mullins, Dean Brosnan, Lee Quilligan and Liam Coughlan to keep their season alive.
Kanturk are formidable opponents in both codes. Once again the Walshs, McLoughlins and Grantis Bucinkas will spearhead their bid for a 2nd win having defeated Fr O’Neill’s by 13 points in the 1st round.
The familiarity with the venue will help Kanturk but with so much at stake, Glen get the vote to win.
Blackrock v Fr O’Neill’s on Sunday in Midleton at 4pm
These sides had contrasting displays in round 1 and if Blackrock play as well again particularly Alan Connolly, Robbie Cotter, Tadgh Deasy and Michael O’Halloran they should record a 2nd win.
Group 2
Sarsfields v Newtownshandrum on Saturday in Mallow at 3pm
A must-win game for the champions who have injury concerns around Conor O’Sullivan and Daniel Hogan. Sars have always responded when the need was greatest and they will look to their big players in this one, Jack O’Connor, Ben Graham, Luke Hackett and Barry O’Flynn among them.
Newtown drew with Douglas and will relish the opportunity to take down the champions with Tim O’Mahony and Cormac O’Brien key players for them. Not easy to pick a winner but Sars get the nod but only just.
Douglas v Charleville on Saturday in Mallow at 5pm
Charleville were so impressive in the win over Sars and will look to back it up in this game and with Darragh Fitzgibbon in top form - 0-11 last time out - it’s hard to see them slipping up.
Group 3
Midleton v Newcestown on Saturday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 3pm
When these sides met last year it ended all square and in reality is was a game Newcestown could have won but they were well beaten by Bride Rovers in round 1 and with Conor Lehane, Tommy O’Connell, Ross O’Regan and Killian McDermott very impressive in Midleton's win over St Finbarr’s they should win but Newcestown will not make it easy for them.
St Finbarr’s v Bride Rovers on Saturday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 5pm
Bride Rovers announced their return to the top tier of Cork hurling with a big win over Newcestown and now they face a ‘Barr’s that will look to respond, to a 1st round loss. The East Cork side have always been hard to beat and with Brian and Eoin Roche, Cillian Tobin, Adam Walsh and Cormac Barry performing well, they will face this tie in confident mood.
The ‘Barr’s were very poor in their loss to Midleton and almost certainly they will bounce back - there is a lot of quality in their team. Brian Hayes will trouble any team; and add in William Buckley, Conor Cahalane, Ethan Twomey and Ben Cunningham. It has the makings of another tense encounter but I expect the ‘Barr’s to get their campaign back on track.
Senior A
Group 1
Castlelyons v Watergrasshill on Sunday in Rathcormac at 2pm
This should be lively given it’s another local derby; Castlelyons nearly got over the line against Blarney but the concession of a late goal hurt them, Niall O’Leary, Anthony Spillane, Leon Doocey and Alan Fenton are big players for them.
The ‘Hill were winners over Ballyhea with as ever Sean Desmond, Daire O’Leary, Adam Murphy and Shane O’Regan in top form. This is going to go the distance and they might not be separated at the end.
Blarney v Ballyhea on Sunday in Glantane at 3.30pm
Relieved to get over the line in round 1, Blarney with a trio of Cork players in Mark Coleman, Shane Barrett and Padraig Power should win this one and maybe with a bit to spare.
Group 2
Erin’s Own v Killeagh on Sunday in Castlemartyr at 2pm
Yet another East Cork derby with Erin’s Own bidding to bounce back after last season’s relegation. They made a good start, even if it took then awhile to get the better of Na Piarsaigh. Robbie O’Flynn is a key player for them as is Barry Walsh for Killeagh - Erin’s Own greater experience could be key.
Na Piarsaigh v Fermoy on Saturday in Castlelyons at 3pm
A big game for both especially for Na Piarsaigh who have had a poor run of late; their second half against Erin’s Own was disappointing scoring only 0-5, Ross O’Sullivan is back and that will be crucial.
Group 3
Courcey Rovers v Carrigtwohill on Friday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.30pm
Courcey’s dug out a draw with Ballinhassig in round 1 and will face a Carrig side still coming to terms with the loss through injury of key player Sean Walsh but they are well capable of getting something out of this game.
Inniscarra v Ballinhassig on Sunday in Ovens at 5pm
Last year’s Premier Intermediate champions Ballinhassig are looking for a 1st win at this level but have a host of quality players - Adam and Darragh O’Sullivan, Ger and Patrick Collins and Fintan O’Leary.
Sean O’Donoghue is key for Inniscarra who are looking to make it two from two, but a slight fancy for Ballinahassig.
Premier Intermediate
Group 1
Ballincollig v Éire Óg on Sunday in Riverstick at 2.30pm
As local derbies go, is there any two clubs as near to each other? There is more than bragging rights at stake particularly for Éire Óg who lost to another Mid-Cork club Aghabullogue last time out and need a win here.
They were due to play football last week but that game was postponed while Ballincollig were actually knocked out of the football so this is an opportunity to keep their adult season alive.
They started slowly against Bishopstown but eventually got the job done; Steve Willis bagged 0-12 while Tadgh O’Connell and Theo Morgan impressed for last year’s runners up and they get the nod to win.
Aghabullogue v Bishopstown on Sunday in Cloughduv at 3.30pm
Bishopstown have had a tough few years in hurling and despite a promising start were unable to maintain it against Ballincollig. They will need a consistent 60 minutes if they are to get a badly needed win but Aghabullogue look better balanced.
Group 2
Lisgoold v Dungourney at 5.30pm; Cloyne v Castlemarytr at 7.30pm both on Saturday in Carrigtwohill
A cracking double-header here that should attract a big crowd. The opener is all about survival as the losers will be in trouble and that makes it hard to call but a slight fancy for Lisgoold.
Cloyne have been improving immeasurably in the last couple of years and have won successive league promotions and will relish this challenge.
Castlelmartyr coped without Ciarán Joyce so far and might just shade this one particularly if Mike Kelly, Brian Lawton and Billy McGann play as well as they did in the win over Lisgoold.
Group 3
Valley Rovers v Kilworth on Thursday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.30pm
Winners in round one. Valleys backed that up with a win in football last week to go a long way to securing a place in the knockout phase and by winning here it would make for a nice double.
Carrigaline v Ballymartle on Saturday at 3pm in Kilbrittain
The 1st thing that must be said about this fixture is the venue, taking 2 clubs less than 20 minutes away from each other to a venue at least 45 minutes away defies logic. A venue in the Carrigdhoun division could have been allocated.
It’s a huge game for both and with their footballers going well, it might give Carrigaline the edge.
Intermediate A
Group 1
Russell Rovers v Aghada and Kilbrittain v Bandon
The first is an East Cork derby with a lot to play for; Aghada were well beaten in football last week and the quick turnaround won’t help so advantage Russell Rovers.
The West Cork derby is intriguing and with Bandon in football action last week getting a good draw they might take that momentum into this game but Kilbrittain are still playing as champions following last season’s success and a 2nd win looks on the cards.
Group 2
Blackrock v Midleton and Mallow v Kildorrery.
Good win for the ‘Rockies in round 1 and they will look to secure a knockout place by getting and probably achieve a 2nd win. The Avondhu rivals have a lot to play for and Kildorrery are down a few players who have backboned the team in recent years so that might tilt the tie in Mallow's direction.
Group 3
Sars v Youghal and Erin’s Own v Ballygiblin
A huge win and important win for Youghal in round 1 and with Sars seniors nursing a few injuries, this might impact on their starting 15 so that might give Youghal the opportunity to get a 2nd win and possibly secure knockout hurling.
Erin’s Own pushed Sars all the way in round 1 and will need to be better again if they are to beat Ballygiblin who could have Cathal O’Mahony back in their 15.
Premier Junior
Group 1
Ballygarvan v Nemo Rangers and Kilshannig v Glen Rovers
Both city sides lost last time out and will need huge improvement if they are to win this weekend; Ballygarvan were semi-finalists last year and look like contenders again. Glen had a number of injury concerns for the 1st round and ahead of this game, Kilsahnnig are going well in both codes but Glen are well capable of getting a result.
Group 2
St Catherines v Milford and Tracton v Cloughduv
It’s a case of 1st round winners v 1st round losers here and a 2nd defeat for Tracton or Cloughduv could end their season and Cloughduv get the nod.
Milford rallied late to beat Tracton but might find the East Cork side a tougher nut to crack.
Group 3
St Finbarr’s v Mayfield and Argideen Rangers v Barryroe
Two local derbies here and the all-city one is a must-win game for both with a slight fancy for the ‘Barr’s, while the West Cork encounter could end all square.