Hurling championships dominate this weekend

With the 1st round of the football championships complete, the focus this weekend is very much on the Co-Op Super Stores Hurling with some intriguing fixtures across all 5 grades.

Premier Senior

Group A

Sarsfields v Douglas on Saturday at Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.30pm

On paper a tricky looking opener for the champions, but Douglas by all accounts are not going well, but then championship brings the best out of players.

Sars showed their intent by retaining the Division 1 league title and while they might be down a couple of players in Jack O’Connor, Eoghan Murphy and Conor O’Sullivan, they have quality players.

Douglas with the players they have had over the years should be doing better and this is an ideal opportunity to show they are still capable of causing an upset. Shane Kington, Mark Howell and Alan Cadogan remain key players for them but the odds favour the champions starting with a win.

Bishopstown v Newtownshandrum on Saturday in Fermoy at 7.30pm

It’s been a tough few weeks for the city lads, picking up just 1 league point and with it relegation to Division 4, hard to see them causing an upset here.

Group B

St Finbarr’s v Blackrock on Friday at 7.30pm in Páirc Uí Rinn

Possibly the game of the weekend between one of hurling’s enduring rivalries that never fails to deliver.

‘Barr’s reached the Division 2 league final but injuries and Cork commitments saw them lose to Carrigaline.

Conor Cahalane and Billy Hennessey are out injured, Ben Cunningham is rated doubtful, so they will look to Brian Hayes, Ethan Twomey, Jack Cahalane, William Buckley and Damien Cahalane as they bid for a winning start which is so vital in the overall context of the group.

‘Rockies were disappointed with last year’s showing and a city derby might be the ideal start for them. Alan Connolly, Tadgh Deasy, Robbie Cotter and the Cashmans John and Niall will relish this challenge.

Blackrock nearly made the Division 1 league final so their form is good, but these games are hard to call, so a draw maybe.

Newcestown v Fr O’Neill’s on Sunday in Carrigaline at 1.30pm

This is another interesting looking encounter and Newcestwon showed the resolve they are renowned for by winning their football game last weekend, with Luke Meade clipping over 3 points and the majority of players will feature in this game.

O’Neill’s will be favourites and look to Cork players Declan Dalton and Ger Mellerick to guide them through a tricky encounter, they might be favourites but do not rule out another Newcestown win.

Group C

Midleton v Charleville on Saturday in Mourneabbey at 7.30pm

Another one that is hard to call as last year’s runners-up Midleton will have to plan without defender Sean O’Leary Hayes, but can call on Tommy O’Connell, Brion Saunderson, Ross O’Regan, Conor Lehane and the experienced Luke O’Farrell.

Darragh Fitzgibbon remains a vital player for the North Cork side and if he dominates, it could spell trouble for Midleton.

Overall though Midleton look that bit better balanced and that could get them over the line.

Erin’s Own v Kanturk on Friday in Mallow at 7.30pm

Every season Erin’s Own are tipped to be relegated but not only do they survive, they thrive and this year expect the same although the retirement (if true) of some of their more seasoned players might impact on them, and they will look to Robbie O’Flynn for leadership.

Kanturk with a host of dual players got a win in football last week and that will boost them with the O’Loughlins and Walshs once again to the fore, they should win this one.

Senior A

It’s probably fair to say that this championship has produced some thrilling games in recent years, probably even more than the top grade, and this year expect the same.

Looking at the quality of teams striving to reach the top grade, Blarney, Bride Rovers, Castlelyons and now joined by Glen Rovers following their relegation last year.

The view is they will return to top tier hurling immediately, and as a Glen Rovers man I hope that is correct, but it’s not that simple. It has not yet been done, and no one appreciates that more than the current management team at the club.

Looking at clubs that were relegated in the last few years, very few if any came back up at the first attempt, and thereafter it gets harder to achieve as other factors come into play.

For now they are favourites to win it out, but first things first and that is win your opening game.

That is Killeagh in Carrigtwohill and with the 3 Cork lads back on duty they should win, but a word of caution; Killeagh are a resilient team and with a late goal last year they denied Na Piarsaigh a place in quarter-finals.

Inniscarra and Ballyhea are the other teams in Group C and with Cork captain Sean O’Donoghue leading their challenge, the Muskerry side should prevail when they meet in Grenagh, both games take place on 7.30pm on Friday night.

In Group B there’s an East Cork derby in Killeagh on Saturday at 7.30pm. Bride Rovers were controversially beaten in last year’s semi-final and possibly without Cillian Tobin, against a Cloyne side that have lost a number of players through retirement, but a nod to Rovers to win.

It’s a big night for Castlelyons on Friday in Rathcormac when they make their debut in this grade after their win last season and with Colm and Anthony Spillane along with Niall O’Leary, they should get the better of neighbours Fermoy.

In Group A, Blarney were runners-up in ’23 with Mark Coleman, Shane Barrett and Padraig Power on board, they will be expected to get the better of Carrigtwohill on Saturday at 5.30pm in Caherlag. There’s a huge game for Na Piarsaigh having been relegated to Division 2 in the league, in Brinny on Friday at 7.30pm against Courcey Rovers, who like Na Piarsaigh were relegated in the league to Division 3, now with Sean Guiheen back in charge, this will be close.

Premier Intermediate

Another interesting opening round of games in this grade as Aghabullogue make the step up, while relegated Mallow will look to return immediately.

In Group A it’s Castlemartyr v Valley Rovers on Saturday at 7.30pm in Riverstick, with the East Cork side fancied, while Carrigaline are on a good run winning the Division 2 league and might surprise Watergrasshill at 5.30pm in Ballincollig on Saturday.

Group B has a mid-Cork look to it. It’s Éire Óg and Aghabullogue in Carrigadrohid on Saturday at 5.30pm, which should be lively while the meeting of Ballincollig - even without the injured Brian Keating - and Mallow should go the way of the Muskerry side on Sunday in Ballyanley at 1.30pm.

In Group C, Kilworth were semi-finalists last year and might get the better of Ballymartle on Sunday at 1.30pm in Watergrasshill, while Ballinhassig could be without Darragh O’Sullivan for their tie with Dungourney in Cobh on Saturday at 7.30pm but they will be favoured to win.

Intermediate A

Group A

Midleton v Ballygiblin - verdict Midleton

Aghada v Sarsfields - verdict Sarsfields

Group B

Bandon v Blackrock - verdict Bandon

Erin’s Own v Kildorrery - verdict Kildorrery

Group C

Mayfield v Lisgoold - verdict Lisgoold

Cloughduv v Youghal - verdict Cloughduv

Premier Junior

Group A

Douglas v Meelin - verdict Meelin

Milford v Russell Rovers - verdict Russell Rovers

Group B

Barryroe v Kilbrittain - verdict draw

Ballygarvan v Nemo Rangers - verdict Nemo Rangers

Group C

Glen Rovers v St Catherines - verdict Glen Rovers

Argideen Rangers v St Finbarr’s - verdict St Finbarr’s

There’s a busy weekend ahead and with interest in hurling on a high after the displays of the Cork team, all games should attract large crowds and with the weather playing its part, there’s a fascinating few days to look forward to and the best of luck to all teams, as after a long wait, the real business of the year gets underway.

Championship is what it’s all about; it defines and shapes our season.