Knockout from here on in
The group phase is done with, the calculators are put away and there are no more permutations - it’s winner takes all for everyone from now on.
This weekend it’s QF time in the Co-op Superstores County Hurling Championship along with the dreaded relegation play-offs.
Premier Senior
Glen Rovers v Charleville on Sunday at Mallow at 1.30pm
“Job done in strange circumstances with guys outside the wire telling me we need this and we need that. In the end we qualified which is all we could control,” said Glen manager Tomás Mulcahy after the win over Fr O’Neill’s.
The ‘circumstances’ were the events at the same time in Morneabbey as Kanturk were putting the ‘Rockies to the sword and ultimately out of the championship.
“Charleville will be another test but this team has great character so I know we will be ready. A few of the lads have football next week but we will regroup and we are where we set out to be.”
Darragh Fitzgibbon’s absence is a real blow, and we wish the Cork captain all the best with his recovery, but they will make a huge effort to make the semi-final for the very first time.
They also lost Gareth Gleeson to injury before the Newtown game and will be hoping he is fit, while Jamie Coughlan, Robert Carroll, Darren Butler and Tim Hawe will lead their challenge.
Glen bounced back from a first round loss to Blackrock in impressive fashion with the Downeys Rob and Eoin, Micheál Mullins, Liam Coughlan, Eoin O’Leary and Simon Kennefick impressing.
This should be lively but Fitzgibbon’s absence weakens Charleville’s scoring power and the Glen should win and set up a semi-final meeting with Midleton.
Kanturk v Sarsfields on Sunday in Mallow at 3.30pm
“Delighted, especially for the players we came here today determined to win and show what this team has, as I felt we didn’t get the credit for our display against Glen Rovers in the last round,” said Kanturk manager Tom Walsh after their demolition of Blackrock in the deciding group game.
The manner of that win has ensured that Sars will not take anything for granted and Kanturk backed it up by qualifying in the football last week with practically the same players. It’s something they have been doing for years and does not faze them.
Sars lost their opener but recovered to qualify even if they left a big lead slip against Newtownshandrum. That will worry them, as will the ever increasing injury list.
The champions though will be ready and Luke Hackett, Daniel Hogan, James Sweeney, Ben Nodwell, Cian Darcy, Jack O’Connor and Cathal McCarthy have been pivotal to their success in recent years.
As ever the Walshs, Grantis Bucinkas, ace scorer Brian O’Sullivan and Lorcan O’Neill will relish the challenge in front of them, but this one might just be beyond them and the holders to prevail.
St Finbarr’s v Imokilly in Sunday on Midleton at 4.30pm
“Look we know it will be difficult to get any bit of preparation in with so many clubs still involved, but we will do our best and give it a shot,” Imokilly manager Ronan Dwane said about what is a much changed team from the one that were dominant for a few years.
Paudie Murray is the ‘Barr’s manger and he was relieved that they got the draw against Newcestown which gave them the passage to this stage.
“Yeah well we knew coming down here it was not going to be easy but we got the job done and now we can focus on Imokilly and hopefully the injury situation will improve.”
Unlike Imokilly, the ‘Barrs had football last week but Brian Hayes’ brief appearance would suggest he will start this game and that is a huge plus although Jack Cahalane won’t.
Ethan Twomey, William Buckley, Ben Cunningham, Ricky Barrett, Damien and Conor Cahalane will guide the ‘Barrs to the last four especially given that several Imokilly players will be in action with their clubs in the lead up to this game.
Senior A
This is a very intriguing championship that has produced some cracking games over the years and this season some big guns are already gone, including last year’s runners-up Castlelyons.
Blarney were runners-up to Glen Rovers two years ago and Erin’s Own are both unbeaten and are safely in the semi-final.
Carrigtowhill v Na Piarsaigh on Friday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.30pm
“I am a bit” frustrated the reaction of Carrigtowhill manager Denis Walsh after their draw with Ballinhassig that secured their QF place.
“We only played in patches but look with all the injuries we have had, I’m just delighted we have made the QF which was always the objective.”
Character is a word often used loosely but Denis say this group has it. “No question about that and now we have to do it again, when we play a very good and improving Na Piarsaigh team.”
The northside club have really shown resolve to get into the QF on the back of a very poor 1st round loss to Erin’s Own and then an awful start to their 2nd game against Fermoy.
In the end they hit 32 points and followed that up with an impressive win over Killeagh in a winner takes all tie.
Ross O’Sullivan’s return has helped, Daire Connery has hit a rich vein of form, as has Kevin Moynihan and they go into this game in the ideal position as underdogs.
As for the Carrig injuries, Justin Oke is out and he is a loss, while they will hope that Patrick Walsh, Cian O’Riordan and James Mulcahy can reproduce the form of earlier rounds if they are to win.
Not an easy one to call but I’m giving Na Piarsaigh the nod on the back of their improved form of late.
Ballinhassig v Watergrasshill in Sunday at Ovens at 3pm
Now this is a huge one; it’s last year’s Premier Intermediate champions against the 2024 winners with a host of quality players on both sides.
The ‘Hill were in the group of death with Blarney, Ballyhea and neighbours Castlelyons, where the only blip came in the last game against Blarney when both were already qualified.
Eddie Enright has developed a really solid side - that went all the way to All-Ireland glory two years ago and have been hard to beat.
Daire O’Leary, Sean Desmond, Dylan Roche and Brendan Lehane are big players for the ‘Hill.
It’s been a good season so far for the newly promoted Ballinhassig, going up a division in the league and now in the QF at their 1st attempt but they want to go further.
Patrick and Ger Collins, Darragh O’Sullivan, Adam O’Sullivan if fit, Conor Desmond and Charlie Grainger have impressed for Ballinhassig to date.
This might very well be the game of the weekend and while Ballinhassig have a lot of quality, the greater experience that the ‘Hill possess could get them over the line.
Premier Intermediate
Cloyne v Carrigaline at 5pm and Aghabullogue v Dungourney at 7pm on Saturday in Páirc Uí Rinn
A very attractive double-header between four evenly matched teams which makes them hard to call.
Cloyne with 2 wins from 2 looked set to make the last 4 directly but lost their final group game to Lisgoold who still ended up the relegation play-off, so can Cloyne bounce back?
They already won the D5 league title and would appear to be going in the right direction, but they are coming up against a Carrigaline side that emerged from a very competitive group and will be further boosted by the footballers going direct to the semi-final and they will be determined to join them and they very well might.
Aghabullogue bowed out of the football championship last weekend but there’s a lot of resolve and spirit in this group with Paul Ring and Matthew Bradley big players for this team.
Dungourney emerged from an all-Imokilly group and will feel confident that they can make the semi-final but the greater experience that Aghabullogue have of big games could be the deciding factor in this one.
Unbeaten Ballincollig and Valley Rovers will be keeping an eye on these games as they get ready for their semi-finals.
Intermediate A
Youghal v Midleton on Friday in Dungourney at 7.30pm
It’s been a tough few years for Youghal but they have really turned it around this season and despite a couple of injuries including Bill Cooper - what a warrior - missing their last game, they were comfortable winners.
This is Midleton’s 2nd team and to get this far is a fair achievement, but this could be their last outing of the championship.
Mallow v Aghada on Saturday in Blarney at 4pm
Both of these sides were playing football last week, both won so that will help. In fact Mallow on 5 points narrowly missed out on a semi-final place but were tested by Blackrock last time out before getting over the line.
Aghada turned in a brilliant display to end a fancied Kilbrittain’s championship ambitions and that will give them confidence; that said Mallow look well equipped to win this one.
Semi-finalist here are Sarsfield’s and Bandon.
Premier Junior
Barryroe v Cloughduv on Saturday in Enniskeane at 4pm
Cloughduv qualified for this stage by virtue of their win in the last round and then a late St Catherine’s free ending Tracton’s interest and they will look to build on that momentum to extend their season.
The Carbery side were chasing a semi-final spot but were beaten by Mayfield and how they react to that loss could shape this contest, but they still get the nod to win.
Ballygarvan v Argideen Rangers on Sunday in Ballinspittle at 3.30pm
Ballygarvan were involved in a thriller with Kilshannig before being edged out by a point, while Argideen saw off St Finbarr’s with 4 goals to their credit. The Carrighdhoun outfit were semi-finalists last year and could very well be again.
Kilsahnnig and St Catherines are awaiting the winners.
Relegation play-offs
Premier Senior - Douglas v Fr O’Neill’s - verdict Douglas
Senior A - Fermoy v Ballyhea - verdict Fermoy
Premier Intermediate - Bishopstown v Lisgoold - verdict Bishopstown
Intermediate A - Ballygiblin v Russell Rovers - verdict Russell Rovers
Premier Junior - Nemo Rangers v Milford - verdict Nemo Rangers.
Cork Credit Union Ladies Football
The two senior semi-finals go ahead on Sunday. Éire Óg the holders play Naomh Abán in Ovens at 12pm with Aghada at home to Mourneabbey at 3pm.
Minors on Monday
The tradition of playing the County Premier Minor Finals on Monday continues with the ETB sponsored football deciders in an attractive double header in Páirc Uí Rinn.
In Premier 2 at 6.30pm, it’s Macroom v Diarmuid O’Murchu’s - a combination of Crosshaven and Shamrocks, while at 8pm it’s the Premier 1 final as Ballincollig are going for 3 in a row against Carrigaline.