Tough test for footballers
Having won their opening game in the All-Ireland series, John Cleary’s side welcome Ulster champions Donegal to town on Saturday, while on the same day both Cork camogie teams are in championship action.
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Round 2
Cork v Donegal on Saturday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 2.30pm
“No doubt about it; a very tough game as we saw how well they (Donegal) played in beating Tyrone last Saturday,” said Cork manager John Cleary ahead of this eagerly awaited encounter.
“But look that’s what and where we want to be playing against top quality opposition, it’s exciting and we are really looking forward to it.”
Recalling the league outing in Ballybofey back in February, John said: “They are the only team in the last couple of years to beat us well. That was a strange day, they had the wind in the first and when we came out it had died down but they showed that day and subsequently how good they are.”
Reflecting on the win over Clare, John stressed its importance. “In a way it takes a bit of pressure off, but we want to win every game and Saturday is no different.”
In Ennis John said they did not make it easy for themselves by not converting the many chances they created. “That’s been a trait all season really but we have worked hard in training and hopefully we can rectify that on Saturday, but it won’t be easy against a very good team.”
As for the injuries John confirmed Luke Fahy is out. “Luke won’t make it but everyone else is okay and good to go.”
The manner in which Donegal eased past Tyrone has many and probably with justification, as serious contenders for the All-Ireland title and manager Jim McGuinness has them going in the right direction after a disastrous 2023.
It was just a 1 point game at half-time 0-10 to 0-9, with some brilliant scores by both sides, but there was only one team in it in the 2nd half as the Ulster champions ran out winners by 0-7, a big turnaround from the provincial semi-final clash that took extra-time to resolve.
Donegal have quality all over the field; Brendan McCole, Ryan McHugh, and Peadar Mogan anchor a solid defence fronting goalkeeper Shaun Patton.
In midfield Jason McGee and Michael Langan will have some tussle with Cork duo Ian Maguire and Colm O’Callaghan - whoever wins this battle could decide the contest.
If Donegal edge this area Patrick McBrearty, Oisin Gallen, and Daire O’Baoill have the capacity to trouble any defence.
It’s unlikely the Cork 15 will change very much from Ennis.
Chris Kelly will retain the number 1 jersey, with Mattie Taylor, Kevin Flahive, Rory Maguire and Tommy Walsh in defence.
Brian Hurley has been the main threat in attack and this is the one area that the captain will need more support especially in the scoring return.
There is little doubt the work rate is there but chances created need to be finished especially at this level.
Sean Powter, Conor Corbett, Chris Óg Jones and Brian O’Driscoll hopefully can deliver.
Interestingly on their introduction against Clare, both Steven Sherlock and Mark Cronin clipped over a brace of points and might just come into the equation for a start this time round.
One thing is certain, this is another step up in quality. Clare with all due respect are a Division 3 side, Donegal Division 1 for next season and winners of the most competitive of provincial championship.
In many respects it mirrors last year’s 2nd round meeting with Kerry, outsiders and but for a strange refereeing decision, a game Cork might have won.
What they will need though is to produce a consistent 70 plus minutes and even that might not be enough, but whatever the outcome, and Donegal are well fancied to win, we will know a bit more where this Cork stands in the championship around 4pm on Saturday.
Final word to John Cleary as regards playing at home: “It’s great to have this as our home game against as I said a very good team, and hopefully the Cork supporters will turn out in numbers and get behind the team.”
Let’s do just that.
The match is also live on C103.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship
Cork v Down in Páirc Esler Newry on Saturday at 1pm
Having got their campaign off to a winning start last Saturday, the champions make the long trip north in search of a 2nd win in the 6 team group.
Cork were comfortable winners over Wexford in dreadful conditions but manager Ger Manley was happy. “Look it was very difficult out there for both sides but we got the win and comfortably it must be said and that’s all you can ask for in your opening game.”
Despite the conditions the point scoring was pleasing. “That helped give us a bit of a cushion; to be fair Wexford kept at it and they are an improving team, so when they got a goal, we just kicked on again and always looked comfortable.”
With it being week on week, Ger is anxious to keep the team sharp. “Obviously we want to win every game, but with the structure of the championship we have to be conscious of the load on players and manage that.”
In that regard, injuries come into play. “Laura (Tracey) might be out for another week, Libby (Coppinger) is out long term, while Pam (Mackey) picked up a head injury which might keep her out of the Down game, and Amy (O’Connor) is also carrying a knock, but look that is what you have a panel for and we will look at the situation at training during the week.”
Down were well beaten by Clare in their 1st game and having lost key players will find this another tough hour, even on home soil.
Saoirse McCarthy, Laura Hayes, Ashling Thompson, Meabh Cahalane, Catriona Mackey, Amy Lee and Meabh Murphy carry a wealth of experience and with the depth of the squad also showing its merits it all points to a Cork win.
Glen Dimplex Intermediate Camogie Championship
Cork v Westmeath in Cusack Park Mullingar on Saturday at 12.30pm
A really tough opener for Doney Daly’s side here as they face an ever improving Westmeath team.
Cork did win their league with some very impressive displays but this goes up a notch against what is Westmeath’s first team, while Cork have been in action against, like themselves the 2nd teams of the top counties.
To be fair that is not their fault and it’s a structure that needs to be looked at going forward, and all credit to Cork they put in some very good displays and were deserving winners of the competition.
Unfortunately their most recent game in the Munster Intermediate Championship, of which they were holders ended in defeat - again a strange set of rules surrounded that competition.
Westmeath also won their League Division 2A, accumulating 13 points in the group stages and then beating a highly rated Derry side 4-8 to 0-16 in the final, an indication of the task facing Cork.
Megan Dowdall is their main threat up front 2-3 in that final while she gets great support from Sheila McGrath, Hannah Core and Amelia Shaw.
Cork to have very good and experienced players in Niamh O’Leary, Lauren Homan, Fiona Nelligan, Emma Flanagan and Meabh De Burca. It’s a real test for this team but the odds favour Westmeath.
Comórtas Peile Na Gaeltachta
A huge weekend for the Cill Na Martra club as they host this very prestigious and hugely important championship for clubs in the Gaeltacht areas, a competition all clubs take great pride in participating and striving to win.
The competition gets underway on Saturday and Páirc Ui Cuana will be a hive of activity over the 4 days culminating in the finals on Monday afternoon.
As hosts, Cill Na Martra receive a bye into the semi-final which will be played on Sunday evening, while neighbours Beal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh are also playing and if they survive their 2 games on Saturday, they will meet the hosts in the semi-final.
There are also games in junior, intermediate and ladies football in this the 53rd year of the competition.
One notable absentee from this year’s competition will be Naomh Aban’s Sean Ó Croinin, father of Cork football selector Micheál, who sadly passed away last week. This was a week he savoured and enjoyed and his presence will be missed, sincere sympathy to family and club colleagues on their loss.
Best of luck to all especially the Cork teams participating.
Mixed results in hurling
Defeats for the under 20 hurlers in controversial circumstances, and the minors with a very poor performance was tempered somewhat by the results in the Munster Senior Championship on Sunday that fell Cork’s way to keep our season alive.
It all means that on the weekend of 15/16 June, Pat Ryan’s side will start the All-Ireland series away to the winners of the Laois v Offaly Joe McDonagh Cup Final. Should they, as many expect they will, negotiate that hurdle, it’s the Leinster runners-up Kilkenny or Dublin in the All-Ireland QF on Saturday 22 June in Thurles.
On the back of impressive wins over Limerick and Tipperary, Cork’s stock has risen but I am sure the management team will be stressing nothing is won yet and every opposition must be treated with the respect they deserve.
A 3 week run in to the first game is ideal, come done from the recent highs, get the injured lads ready, and then take every game as it comes, as from here on in its knockout hurling.
An exciting few weeks ahead, ones to savour!