Football QFs set to excite
With the semi-finalists in the 5 grades of hurling now known, focus this weekend is on the QFs in the McCarthy Insurance Group County Football championships with a strong West Cork feel particularly in Premier Senior, with the double-header in Clonakilty on Sunday sure to attract a big crowd.
Premier Senior
Newcestown v Clonakilty on Saturday at 5pm in Dunmanway
The first of 3 intriguing games in this grade and a West Cork derby to begin the weekend.
Newcestown were semi-finalists last year losing after extra-time to Nemo Rangers who they then beat in round 1.
They emerged from a group where 3 teams finished on 4 points and their win over St Michaels earned them a deserved knockout spot and while they will enter this game as underdogs, that won’t trouble them. They seem to have that tag every time they come up against supposedly stronger opposition.
David Buckley has been in great from for them as has Luke Meade and with no hurling commitments last week they will have had two clear weeks to prepare.
Clon topped their group unbeaten with Castlehaven on 5 points and their demolition of Ballincollig would suggest they are hitting form at the right time - 3-19 from play is impressive.
Dara O’Se, Thomas Clancy, Ross Mannix, Maurice Shanley and Conor Daly were instrumental in that win and will be expected to deliver again.
Clon have been there or thereabouts in recent years and while they will get a real test from Newcestown, they should win and head to the semi-final against the winners of Carbery and St Finbarr’s, but how many times have Newcestown proved us wrong?
Carbery v St Finbarr’s on Sunday in Clonakilty at 1.45pm
The champions were probably thinking in the last minute of their 1 point loss to Mallow that their bid for back to back titles was over, but even though they accumulated only 2 points, their better scoring got them through.
Ian Maguire was missing that day and with Brian Hayes only playing for about a minute or two they were without two key players, their return will give them a huge boost as will the win by their hurlers last Sunday.
Carbery’s preparation will have been limited but they have a lot of good players to pick from and beat a good Duhallow side in the final of their section 7 weeks ago.
Ruairí Deane and a fit again Dara Sheedy will give them quality in attack, Olan O’Donovan, Olan Corcoran, Ryan O’Donovan and Aaron Hayes will lead their challenge.
The ‘Barr’s will be disappointed with their campaign but the fact that they are still standing is all that matters.
Steven Sherlock, Darragh Newman, William Buckley, Sam Ryan, Ricky Barrett and Ciaran Doolan are big players for the ‘Barrs; add in Maguire and Hayes and it’s hard to see them slipping up.
Nemo Rangers v Castlehaven on Sunday in Clonakilty at 4pm
“The reward is a handy one - Nemo in the QF,” Castlehaven manager Seanie Cahalane said after their win over Knocknagree, with a smile.
He added: “Nemo are a great club look at their record we have huge respect for them, enjoyed some good days and had some bad days with them but it is what it is and we are looking forward to it.”
The ‘Haven’s winning margin over Knocknagree was only 2 points; the reality is they were comfortable for most of the game but will be concerned at conceding two late goals.
As for Nemo they went into their last game with Valley Rovers needing to win and they duly did despite a raft of injuries and that pleased manager Robbie O’Dwyer.
“We knew what we had to do coming down here against a team that had won their two games, so glad to be in the QF.”
When it was confirmed the opposition would be Castlehaven: “There is nothing easy at this stage and they are a very good team. Hopefully the injuries will have improved by then and we see where it takes us, but we are where we want to be and that is all you ask for.”
Conor Horgan and Mark Cronin missed that game, and could return but Barry Cripps and Brian Hayes are now major doubts.
Ross Corkery was excellent in the win over Valleys, Kevin O’Donovan, Micheál Aodh Martin, Alan O’Donovan, Ronan Dalton and Colm Molloy will need to be at their best if they are to win this one.
The ‘Haven will be without Jack Cahalane, but have coped comfortably without him to date and with Brian and Michael Hurley, Mark Collins, Rory Maguire, Damien Cahalane and Sean Browne showing their quality, they will justifiably start as favourites but as always Nemo will be hard to beat.
Carrigaline will play the winners in the semi-final.
The match is live on C103 and the Onic Player.
Senior A
Cill Na Martra v Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh on Saturday at 4pm in Ballyvourney
The splendid facilities of the Naomh Abán club will surely be packed to the rafters for this appealing all-Gaelthacht encounter when there is not only a semi-final spot against Éire Óg on offer but bragging rights as Gaelige as well.
Ballingeary have played well in a tough group with Liam and Donagh Shorten, Leonard O’Connor and Conor Lynch all impressing. Cill Na Martra would have been among the favourites for this championship and their demolition of O’Donovan Rossa last time out was a statement of intent.
The Dineens Ciaran, Danno and Shane, Sean Furey, and Anthony Cooney will relish this local derby and with the experience of playing in big games could be crucial this might go the distance but a nod to Cill Na Martra.
Kanturk v Kilshannig on Sunday at Kilbrin at 3.30pm
Two clubs riding high in both codes with hurling semi-finals to look forward to in the coming weeks. Kilshanning had last week off and that might give them a slight advantage.
Kanturk have been doing this for years and with a very first senior hurling semi-final coming up confidence in the group will be at its highest level for years.
The core group of players that they rely on rarely let them down and they will thrive on this one with the Walshs Tommy, Alan and Colin all leading the way add in the McLoughlins and a few more and the depth and quality they makes it hard to go against them and they look well equipped to face Carbery Rangers in the semi-final.
Premier Intermediate
Naomh Abán v Macroom on Sunday in Cill Na Martra at 3.30pm
Another local derby here and for Macroom it’s a step in the right direction after a few years battling relegation games and they might see this as a bonus but also an opportunity to extend their season by knocking out their neighbours.
Ed Myers was excellent for the Gaelthacht side in seeing off a tough Nemo outfit in the last round, if he’s as effective again they might just shade this one and head to a semi-final with another Mid-Cork side Uibh Laoire.
Fermoy v Rockchapel on Sunday in Ballyclough at 3.30pm
After the drama and appeal process of their win over Ballinora, Fermoy will be glad to get back playing football but this will test them again.
Rockchapel are a solid side but the manner of their win over a highly rated Ballinora side will give the North Cork side confidence and maybe enough to progress to a last four clash with Kiskeam, but then the possibility of a Duhallow derby will give Rockchapel a huge incentive.
Intermediate A
Dromtarriffe v Boherbue
A Duhallow derby between two evenly matched teams; Dromtarriffe had a tough campaign last year but have really improved this season but this is a good Boherbue side and they might edge this one.
Adrigole await the winners in the semi-final.
Buttevant v Mitchelstown
Now this really has the makings of a cracker as the North Cork rivals go head to head with quality on both sides and Buttevant have really driven on from winning the Premier Junior title last year.
Cathal O’Mahony, Shane Beston and Cork player Sean Walsh should get Mitchelstown over the line and a semi-final meeting with Kilmurry.
Premier Junior
Millstreet v Inniscarra
Cork panelist Darragh Cashman is a big player for the Duhallow side as is Kevin Crowley and likewise Inniscarra will hope that Sean O’Donoghue will be fit to start and his presence will help but the odds favour Milstreet to advance to a semi-final meeting with Canovee.
St Nick’s v Kinsale
The latter were odds on to take the direct route to the semi-final but were well beaten by St Vincent’s in the last group game and how they respond might shape this one.
Nick’s recovered from a heavy loss to Canovee in round 1 but bounced back with 2 good wins particularly in the last round when they had a few key players out with injury. With a full hand to choose from, they could set up a repeat of last year’s semi-final with Cobh.
Relegation play-offs
Premier Senior - Ballincollig v St Michael’s - verdict Ballincollig.
Senior A - O’Donovan Rossa v Clyda Rovers - verdict O’Donovan Rossa
Premier Intermediate - Glanmire v Castletownbere - verdict Glanmire
Intermediate A - Kildorrery v Glanworth - verdict Kildorrery
Premier Junior - Urhan v Na Piarsaigh - verdict Urhan
SE Systems Senior Camogie semi-finals
There’s an attractive double header in prospect on Sunday at MTU at 2pm. Courcey Rovers with Saoirse McCarthy in top form will be expected to get the better of Blackrock who are back in the last 4 for the 2nd year in a row.
Champions St Finbarr’s are bidding for a 3 in row and they will take on Sars who have had a strange campaign at 4.30pm. While the ‘Barr’s will be favourites Sars have the capacity to test them.
Minor Hurling Finals
Páirc Uí Rinn on Monday night for the 2nd week in a row will be a lively spot for the Cork ETB Premier 1 and 2 Rebel Óg Minor Hurling Finals.
In the Premier 2 decider at 6.30pm it’s St Finbarr’s v Killeagh/Ita’s while at 8pm, there’s a very appealing Premier 1 Final. For the 1st time in 13 years, Blackrock are back - hard to believe that stat and they face a highly rated Midleton side who were given a real test by Glen Rovers before getting over the line late on. The ‘Rockies got the better of a fancied Na Piarsaigh side in their semi-final. Two good games in prospect.