Hurling final places up for grabs
It’s semi-final time in the Co-Op Superstores County Hurling Championships with 10 scheduled this weekend across the 5 grades, some intriguing encounters listed and as usual a few local derbies thrown in for good measure.
The four semi-finals from SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh are live on C103 and the Onic Player.
Premier Senior - Sunday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Kanturk v St Finbarr’s at 2pm
“Great for the club to be in a 1st ever senior hurling semi-final and there’s a buzz in the town and we are really looking forward to Sunday,” said Kanturk’s Colin Walsh on a historic day for one of Cork’s foremost dual clubs.
13 of their players played football last Sunday, while so did many St Finbarr’s players but it shows the dual mandate can be managed.
After their win over Imokilly, ‘Barr’s manager Paudie Murray knows Kanturk will be another huge game. “Just look at their season to date, beat Blackrock comfortably and then knocked the champions in the QF so we know exactly what’s ahead of us.”
The fact that both had football last Sunday gives neither side an advantage although the ‘Barr’s did have the luxury of replacing a few players early in their easy win over Carbery.
Kanturk have been the story of the championship and they will not have any fear going into this game. They are a strong physical side and are well used of playing in the ‘Park.
On the injury front, Ryan Walsh is a doubt and Jack Cahalane’s appearance for the ‘Haven would suggest he’s available as well.
Brian Hayes will be handful as will William Buckley, Ethan Twomey, Ben Cunningham, John Wigginton Barrett and Sean Daly.
The Walshes will anchor the Kanturk challenge along with ace scorer Brian O’Sullivan, Liam O’Keeffe and Grantis Bucinskas.
Picking a winner is not easy but maybe the ‘Barr’s to shade it, but then I thought Blackrock and Sars would win as well so I won’t be surprised if I’m wrong!
Glen Rovers v Midleton at 3.45pm
“The ambition at the start of any championship is to win it and now we’re down to the last four and delighted with the effort of the players but now another big one against Midleton,” said Glen Rover’s manager Tomás Mulcahy after the win over Charleville.
Tomás also had words of praise for the squad: “It is the first time all year everyone was available to us and they were needed. Dean (Brosnan) and Brian (Moylan) made important contributions when they came on.”
With just one semi-final place on offer in this grade, Midleton bagged it with 3 wins, even if the last two were narrow ones against Newcestown and Bride Rovers but that pleased manager Padraig O’Shea. “We got there in the end - made it hard for ourselves but now we are there.”
Since that win over Bride Rovers, their 2nd team made it to their semi-final and a few players may have put their hand up for selection - a nice dilemma for O’Shea.
Recent meetings between the sides have gone the way of the Magpies,. They include the final in 2021 and last year’s QF where a strong finish got them over the line when it looked like the Glen had won.
Conor Lehane is still their marksman in chief and Glen will be determined to curtail him. Tommy O’Connell, Ross O’Regan, Brion Saunderson, Alex Quirke and David Cremin have all made important contributions to Midleton’s march to the semi-final.
Having lost to Blackrock in the 1st round, Glen were on the brink of elimination to Kanturk but finished strongly and then did the business with wins over Fr O’Neills and Charleville.
7 players played with St Nick’s in their QF win last Saturday so the momentum is good around the club.
The key players remain Rob and Eoin Downey, Micheál Mullins and Patrick Horgan.
Others though have delivered when needed; Cathal Hickey made important saves in Mallow, Liam Coughlan was excellent in defence, while Simon Kennefick and Eoin O’Leary have got crucial scores.
Will the month’s break hinder or help Midleton or will the tight games won by the Glen in that period stand to them? Very little between them as always but Glen to win.
Senior A - Saturday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Blarney v Carrigtwohill at 5.15pm
“Relieved and delighted but that is no way to decide a game of this importance,” Carrigtwohill manager Denis Walsh said after their penalty shootout win over Na Piarsaigh in the QF.
Denis was also fulsome in his praise for the players especially Justin Oke, whose introduction was a factor in turning the game. “Justin has been immense and even when injured he has made an impact.”
Blarney are another big test. “No question - one of the top 2 or 3 teams in this championship and runners-up two years ago, but that is what we train all year for to be at the business end of the championship.”
Blarney topped their group unbeaten and impressively it must be said and favoured by many to finally nail this championship.
They have quality in not only Mark Coleman, Shane Barrett and Padraig Power, add in Olan and Cathal Hegarty and Patrick Crowley and the favourites tag is justified.
Carrig have resolve and will hope that Shane Devlin, Jay Horgan, Patrick Walsh and Cian O’Riordan with hopefully a fully fit Oke can deliver once again.
Erin’s Own v Watergrasshill at 7pm
Yet another local derby between two sides going in different directions in recent years; the ‘Hill won the Premier Intermediate Championship, while Erin’s Own lost their cherished Premier Senior status last year. They are looking to bounce back at the first attempt just like Glen Rovers.
This is Watergrasshill’s 2nd year at this grade and a 1st semi-final and Eddie Enright has developed a strong resolute side as they displayed in their extra-time win over Ballinhassig in a thrilling QF.
Erin’s Own made it to the semi-final with 3 from 3 in the group and how they handle the 4 week break will be a factor but there’s a lot of experience in the squad and that will help.
Quality players in both teams: Sean Desmond, Daire O’Leary, Brendan Lehane, Adam Murphy and Shane O’Regan for the ‘Hill, with Robbie O’Flynn, Finn O’Brien, Conor Linehan, Peter O’Shea and Cormac Dooley for Erin’s Own. I felt that when the dust settled on the group stages that it would be a Watergrasshill v Blarney final and that view has not changed.
Premier Intermediate
Valley Rovers v Dungourney on Saturday in Ballyanley at 4pm
Now this should be a lively contest - Valleys took the direct route to the semi-final and with no football commitments last week, will have had a clear run into this game.
Dungourney were involved in a thrilling quarter-final win over Aghabullogue that took extra-time to resolve but in the process picked up a few knocks which they hope will have cleared up, as they will need to be at their best if they are to win.
It’s also the second year in a row that they have made the semi-final and that is a sign they are moving in the right direction, as their manager Martin Hennessy pointed out. “We set our stall at the start of the year to make the semi-final and here we are but we know Valley’s are a strong and experienced side will test us.”
Jack Leahy was one of the injured players while Cillian O’Callaghan has an eye for goal, John Aherne hit quality points while Niall McGrath also impressed.
Chris O’Leary, William Hurley, Matthew Kelleher, Ciaran O’Shea and Eoin Guinane have been key for the Innishannon side in this championship and their greater experience could very well get them over them over the line.
Ballincollig v Carrigaline on Saturday in Ovens at 4pm
The Ronan Curran coached side have been among the favourites for this championship having reached the final last year and so far things are going to plan apart from the injury that has ruled Brian Keating out.
Their opposition Carrigaline are enjoying a fabulous season in both codes.
They did lose to Valley Rovers in the group stages but the recovery is an indication of the resolve within the club and their demolition of Cloyne in the QF only strengthened that belief.
0-32 is some scoring with Brian Kelleher, Eanna Desmond, David Drake, Kevin O’Reilly and Rhys McCarthy all in top form for the defeated finalist of 2024.
Ballincollig had an easy win over Éire Óg which guaranteed them progression with a group game to spare.
Steve Wills, Cian O’Driscoll, James Dwyer, Theo Morgan and David O’Leary are key men for Ballincollig and they will be keen to make it back to back final appearances.
Curran’s side will start as favourites but that does guarantee anything and a nod to Carrigaline to win.
Intermediate A
Sarsfields v Aghada on Friday in Dungourney at 7.30pm
It’s an East Cork Derby - the first of the weekend and not easy to call. Sars are still hurting from the defeat of their seniors and will be anxious to keep their season alive.
Aghada have been in great form in both codes recently and there is nothing like momentum going into a big game.
Midleton v Bandon on Saturday at Church Road at 4pm
Midleton were in devastating form in their win over Youghal and a look at their team it is easy to see why with a raft of experienced players making important and significant contributions.
Luke O’Farrell, Paul Haughney and Sam Quirke among them and if they reproduce that form they will be fancied to win.
Will the starting 15 be shaped by the seniors playing on Sunday?
Could we have a final with the 2nd teams of senior clubs battling it out for promotion to Premier Intermediate? It could very well be the case.
Premier Junior
St Catherine’s v Barryroe on Saturday in Ballymaw at 4pm
An interesting encounter between fairly evenly matched teams and Barryore will take confidence from a tough QF win over Cloughduv but then Catherine’s might benefit from going the direct route to the last four and they have been down this road before.
Kilshannig v Argideen Rangers on Sunday in Coachford at 3pm
Kilshannig suffered a defeat in football last weekend and will be keen to avoid a second championship exit in the space of 7 days especially having enjoyed an unbeaten run to the semi-final. Argideen were comfortable winners over last season’s semi-finalists Ballygarvan.
What are the prospects of neighbours and Carbery rivals meeting in the final? I am inclined to think it will happen.
Cork Credit Union Ladies Football Finals
There’s a bumper weekend of finals with the majority been played in the MTU Grounds and a big senior double-header on Sunday afternoon.
In the Senior B Final, holders Glanmire play Clonakilty at 2pm and then at 4pm, it’s the A Final. Aghada winners two years ago play Naomh Abán who knocked champions Éire Óg in the semi-final and are bidding to win the title for the very first time.
Minor Hurling Final
After a thrilling draw on Monday night, Dungourney will host the replay of the Cork ETB Premier 1 Minor Hurling Final Blackrock v Midleton with a 7.30pm throw in.