Handful of games this weekend

After the excitement and of course the disappointment of last Sunday, it’s somewhat quiet this weekend with just a handful of games down for decision.

In fact a number of games have been deferred owing to the hurlers and footballers involved in crucial championship encounters a week later.

Premier Intermediate Football Championship

Mayfield and Ballinora meet in Ballincollig on Saturday in a game that will send the winners into the fourth round and for the losers just one last opportunity to retain their status.

The city side were very much understrength for their clash with Clyda Rovers, but will have the majority of them back for this clash. It’s been a funny season for Mayfield, it started well by winning the Tom Creedon Cup but they have shown poor form of late.   

Ballinora have lost a few key players over the years but are always hard to beat and with a player like Conor Brosnan in attack they could be hard to beat and might just edge this one.

Intermediate Hurling Championship

The clash of Dromina and Dripsey in Kanturk also on Saturday night at 7.30pm is at the same stage as the football game, and having contested and won an All-Ireland a short few years ago, Dripsey are now in a battle for survival.

Dromina are operating with a very small panel, while Dripsey are battling with the majority of players who were central to their success in recent years and are probably nearing the end of what has been a roller coaster few years. 

Andrew O’Shaughnessey is a key player for Dromina, but with John Carey, Mark O’Sullivan and Diarmuid O’Riordan leading the Dripsey challenge they look to have a bit more in attack and enough to secure their status and consign their opponents to the relegation battle.

Camogie

Having survived a mighty scare from Clare last week, Cork head to the home of the All-Ireland champions Wexford on Saturday, intent on picking up two more points in their quest for a place in the semi-final.

To be fair Cork showed great resilience in overcoming Clare and the manner in which it was achieved will have pleased the backroom team who are only too well aware that this tie represents yet another stern test.

Wexford are seeking a third successive title and will also be looking for revenge for the league final defeat in Thurles a short few weeks ago, and with home advantage in Belfield at 3.15pm, will start as favourites.

Cork will once again look to their experienced group of players in this clash and in Gemma O’Connor, Jennifer O’Leary, Briege Corkery, Joanne O’Callaghan and Rena Buckley they have the ability to record another win over the holders and keep on track for a place in the knockout phase of what promises to be a very exciting championship.

The Intermediate sides between the same counties proceeds this tie at 1.30 and here Wexford with a strong squad could be too good for Cork.

The Cork camogie fraternity will be on the road again on Sunday this time to Kilkenny for the second game in the All-Ireland under 16 ‘A’ Championship and having recorded an excellent win over Limerick last time out they should prevail in this clash and in the process send them nearer a place in the semi-final. 

Under 21 Football Championship

Two game is this grade both on Saturday night at 7.30pm. In Ballygarvan Nemo Rangers with a host of quality players in their side including Luke Connolly, Kevin Fulignati and Alan Cronin will be fancied to overcome Carrigaline.

Macroom is the venue for the clash of Youghal and Beara and here the odds favour a win for the youngsters from the peninsula.