Camogie teams aim for Croker date
The disappointment of last Sunday remains and will be with us for a while yet, but life and sport moves on and this weekend is action packed with camogie semi-finals aswell as some exciting opening games in the men’s county football championships.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Semi-Final
Cork v Dublin in Nowlan Park on Saturday at 1.15pm
Having come through the group unbeaten and securing a direct passage to the semi-final, Cork certainly benefitted from the draw as Dublin would have been seen as the easier option.
It’s hard to disagree with that assessment when you consider that Cork were emphatic winners when they met in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the group stages.
A word of caution though; Dublin by then were almost assured of 3rd spot and it appears that they took the opportunity to give the panel members some game time ahead of the knockout phase.
They produced an excellent performance in the quarter-final to end Kilkenny’s interest in the Championship - no mean feat.
In that game they displayed dogged resistance to get the better of their more fancied opponents with Aisling Maher a key player clipping over 0-7 out of their 1-12 total.
Sinead Wylde got the vital goal while Aishling O’Neill and Claire Gannon were also among the scorers.
Amy Gorman, Kerrie Finnegan, Grace O’Shea and Niamh Gannon impressed while Aine Rafter and Laura Sharkey made important contributions off the bench.
Cork though are favourites and moving well as manager Ger Manley explained: “Our aim was to go direct to the semi-final and once we did that, we had four weeks to prepare and in that time have worked hard and are ready for the game.”
Ger watched the Dublin game and was impressed. “They were much improved since we played them in the group phase and as we all know Kilkenny are very hard to beat and they dug out a great win.”
“We will give Dublin the greatest respect, but we have trained well, all fit and raring to go and if we play to our potential, it will be enough for us to make the final,” he added.
Complacency will not come into the equation: “Not at all; it’s an All-Ireland semi-final and you must focus from the start - anything else and you will be punished.”
Cork put the league form behind them very quickly and while they had a relatively comfortable run through the group; the manner of the win over Galway in the final game suggests they are hitting form at just the right time.
The pace within this team is a huge plus and has been very evident to date.
Saoirse McCarthy, Laura Hayes and Amy O’Connor will trouble any opposition. Amy Lee is exceptional in goal, Meabh Cahalane, Ashling Thompson, Laura Treacy and Katrina Mackey are playing impressively.
Dual players Hannah Looney and Aoife Healy can put the football loss behind them as they both have been key players all season.
Dublin will be much better than they were in the group phase, but anything other than a Cork win will constitute a major surprise.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie SF
Cork v Offaly in Semple Stadium Thurles on Saturday at 6pm
Like their senior counterparts, Donie Daly’s side took the direct route to the semi-final with an impressive group campaign including a 1 point win over Saturday’s opposition.
Offaly had a quarter-final tie against neighbours Meath, who beat Cork in last year’s semi-final, and they were comfortable 5-18 to 3-6 winners and any side that can rack up that total will provide tough opposition.
The girls from the Faithful County were senior a short few years ago and are determined to regain that status and have shown in their games to date they are an improving side.
Deirdre Cashin, Alana Roddy, Clodagh Leahy, Mairead Jennings, Grace Teehan and Becky Bryant are key players for manager David O’Sullivan’s side.
For Cork, Lauren Homan has been in impressive scoring form while Niamh O’Leary, Olivia Mc Allen, Ciara O’Sullivan, Laura Doyle, Eimear Duggan, Niamh O’Regan and Cliona O’Callaghan have all been making important contributions.
It was nip and tuck in the group phase before a late Cork point got them over the line.
It could very well be just as tight on Saturday and a similar outcome would do us just and hopefully 2 Cork teams in Croke Park on camogie’s biggest day!
McCarthy Insurance County Football Championship
Just 5 days after losing an All-Ireland Final, a number of Cork players are in line to play with their clubs in the opening round of games in the County Football Championship. How many will actually play, given the exertions not to mention the disappointment of losing, remains to be seen.
Premier Senior
Group A
Nemo Rangers v Ballincollig in Ballymaw, Newcestown v Eire Og in Cloughduv - both on Friday at 7.45pm
Nemo are under new management and while they lost the league final and will also be without Luke Connolly, they will be fancied to win this one, as Ballinclllig had a poor league campaign and were relegated to Division 2.
League and championship of course are totally different but Paul Kerrigan, Kevin O’Donovan and Michéal Aodh Martin should help Nemo to win.
Luke Meade is the Newcestown captain this year on their return to the top grade and they are always a hard side to beat as Eire Og will find out in what should be a lively encounter.
Group B
Castlehaven v Clonakilty on Saturday in Rosscarbery at 3.30pm, Carbery Rangers v St Michaels in Brinny at 7.30pm.
There’s a real West Cork feel to this group, and a tasty local derby for the champions to begin the defence of their title and without the injured Conor Cahalane as well.
The ‘Haven have had the better of recent meetings between these sides, but Clon have a bit of momentum winning the Division 2 League, but if the Hurleys Brian and Michael, Rory Maguire, Mark Collins and Damien Cahalane hit form, they should start with a win.
St Michaels were unlucky to lose out to Clon in that league final after extra-time, and will look to build on their good form, Ross have been struggling of late but as still capable of springing a surprise.
Group C
St Finbarr’s v Douglas in Carrigaline, Valley Rovers v Mallow in Glenville - both at 7.45pm on Friday.
Jimmy Barry Murphy is now part of the ‘Barr’s selection committee under new manager Brian Roche and they will be keen to atone for the disappointment of last season’s semi-final loss.
Billy Hennessy and Sam Ryan are out injured and Brian Hayes and Ethan Twomey might not start as a result of their involvement last Sunday.
They still have a lot of quality in Ian Maguire, Steven Sherlock, Darragh Newman and Cillian Myers Murray and should win.
The 2nd game is a hard one to call - maybe a slight nod to Mallow.
Senior A
Group A
Cill Na Martra v Kiskeam in Clondrohid at 5pm, Carrigaline v Ballingeary in Kilmurry at 5.30pm - both on Saturday.
Cill Na Martra after a great season in 2023 will look to build on that even if they were disappointed at losing the Cómortas Peile semi-final on home soil, but with Sean Furey and Danno Dineen playing well, they could start with a win.
Having won the Division 1 League title and with the addition of Brian O’Driscoll, Carrigaline will be fancied to get the better of Ballingeary.
Group B
Doheny’s v Kanturk on Friday in Macroom at 7.45pm, O’Donovan Rossa v Fermoy on Saturday at 5.30pm in Bandon.
With the Walshs and O’Loughlins still anchoring the Kanturk challenge, they will be favoured to get the better of Doheny’s, while O’Donovan Rossa should edge their clash with Fermoy.
Group C
Newmarket v Knocknagree in Ballydesmond, Bishopstown v Clyda Rovers in Blarney - both at 5.30pm on Saturday.
The Duhallow derby should be tasty and maybe JF Daly’s side with Eoghan McSweeney and Daniel O’Mahony on board might shade it.
Conor Corbett is a notable absentee for Clyda and the ‘Town have had a tough league campaign, maybe a draw here.
Keep an eye on
Plenty of action across the other 3 grades with a few stand out games, with last year’s Intermediate champions facing an Aghada side now managed by Larry Tompkins.
St Finbarr’s also return to the Intermediate grade and open with a tricky looking tie with Glanmire who narrowly missed out on promotion in the league.
Canovee make their debut in Premier Junior and face West Cork opposition in St James.
It has the makings of a fascinating weekend as the championships kick in; leagues are all very well but championship defines and shapes your season and best of luck to all clubs as they embark on a journey that for some will end in glory and for others bitter disappointment.
Hurlers did us proud
It was not to be for Pat Ryan and his outstanding group of players last Sunday in Croke Park but they can be very proud of their efforts not only in the final, but in the way they resurrected their season and in the process lit up the Senior Hurling Championship.
Pat was as gracious as ever with his post match comments, congratulating Clare, praising his players and refusing to dwell on the performance of referee John Murphy.
He did question the playing of extra-time and felt is should have gone to a replay and it could well be the last decider that has extra-time on the first day, if options being discussed by the GAA come to fruition.