Lots at stake in 2nd round of hurling championships
As with last weekend in the football championship, clubs will have a lot to play for in round 2 of the Co-Op Superstores Hurling Championship. For some it’s an opportunity to secure a place in the play-off stages, for others the desire to avoid a relegation battle will be the primary objective, especially for 1st round losers.
Premier Senior
Group A - Douglas v Bishopstown and Sars v Newtownshandrum
The all-city clash of Friday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7pm could well determine who will be embroiled in a relegation battle given the scale of their 1st round losses. Bishopstown are without a lot of players that served them well, while Douglas will hope that their big men Shane Kingston, Alan Cadogan and Mark Howell among them can deliver big games. If they do, they should win.
The champions Sars were very impressive against Douglas and with a few more key players now back, they will be favoured to get a 2nd win in Mourneabbey on Sunday at 4pm. Quality players on both sides but with more depth, Sars to win.
Group B - St Finbarr’s v Fr O’Neill’s and Blackrock v Newcestown
A loss to the ‘Rockies first time out has the ‘Barrs under a bit of pressure to win this one and the footballers also losing last week is an added complication with only a few days preparation.
O’Neill’s had a win over Newcestown with Declan Dalton in great form, he will need minding and Ger Cunningham will hope that Brian Hayes, Ben Cunningham and the Cahalanes Jack and Damien can help get the campaign back on track - tricky looking tie but they should win.
Blackrock looked very impressive in their win over the ‘Barrs with Alan Connolly and Robbie Cotter showing their eye for goals. Newcestown lost narrowly to Fr O’Neill’s and while they will give it their best, the ‘Rockies look well equipped to win on Sunday in Coachford on Sunday at 4pm.
Group C - Erin’s Own v Charleville and Kanturk v Midleton.
Charleville will look to put the disappointment of their loss and the circumstances that followed behind them when they face an Erin’s Own side that are always hard to beat and as both lost their opening game, it’s a must win for both.
Darragh Fitzgibbon and Daniel O’Flynn remain important players for the North Cork side, while Robbie O’Flynn is a key player for the Caherlag men, but the odds favour Charleville in Mallow on Sunday at 4pm.
Midleton whose appeal against Tommy O’Connell’s and their officer’s suspension failed, will be relieved that they retained the points won against Charleville as it would have made an already difficult tie that bit harder.
Kanturk had an impressive win in football last Sunday and with more or less the same players central to the hurling team, they will fancy their chances of maintaining an unbeaten run in both codes, especially with the Walshs, and McLoughlins in good form right now.
This should attract a huge crowd to the fabulous Castletownroche venue on Sunday at 4pm, and do not rule out a Kanturk victory.
Senior A
Glen Rovers, Bride Rovers and Blarney laid down a marker with comfortable 1st round wins and they will be keen on making it two from two this weekend.
Blarney on Sunday at 2pm is the venue for Glen Rovers and Inniscarra who also won their opener; Sean O’Donoghue and Patrick Horgan are again likely absentees through injury. Eoin and Robert Downey along with Eoin O’Leary and Dean Brosnan should have enough in hand to guide the Glen to victory.
In the same group Killeagh who gave Glen a competitive contest in the last round, will fancy their chances of getting the win over Ballyhea in Rathcormac on Sunday at 4pm.
Courcey Rovers face a strong Blarney side in Riverstick on Saturday at 7pm and given the manner in which the latter dismissed Carrigtowhill with a trio of Cork seniors Mark Coleman, Shane Barrett and Padraig Power in impressive form, a Courcey’s win would constitute a huge surprise.
Carrigtowhill will hope to recover from that loss when they play Na Piarsaigh in Caherlag on Friday at 7pm, but the Fair Hill side are going well and should collect the points on offer.
In the final group, there’s an interesting East Cork derby in Ballynoe on Friday at 7pm. Castlelyons face Bride Rovers and whoever wins this will have one foot in at the least the last eight. Killian Tobin return for the Rovers, that might just give them the edge.
Cloyne were well beaten by Bride Rovers last time out and while Fermoy also lost, they are a bit further down the road in terms of developing a new team and that might help them win this one on Sunday in Youghal at 4pm.
Premier Intermediate
There were a number of surprising results in the opening round not least the defeats suffered by Castlemartyr and Ballinhassig, both among the favourites to make progress. They will look to bounce back.
Of the two, Ballinhassig’s local derby on Sunday against Ballymartle in Ballygarvan at 2pm should be a cracker, Adam and Darragh O’Sullivan should return for Ballinhassig but will it be enough for the win?
Kilworth were a bit unlucky in their loss to Ballymartle, Eoin Carey a notable absentee, they will need him if they are to get the better of Dungourney on Sunday in Lisgoold at 4pm.
Ciaran Joyce is key for Castlemartyr when they play East Cork rivals Watergrasshill in Aghavine (Fr O’Neill’s ground) on Sunday at 2pm, while there’s another local derby at the same time in Ballinspittle as Carrigaline who blew a big lead last time out to Watergrashill will hope their footballers’ winning run can help them against another in-form team Valley Rovers.
Ballincollig were easy winners against Mallow in round 1, but it will be a lot harder on Friday as they play neighbours Éire Óg in Cloughduv at 7pm, while the 3rd Muskerry club in this group face Mallow in Grenagh on Saturday also at 7pm.
Intermediate A
Sarsfields v Midleton - verdict Sarsfields.
Ballygiblin v Aghada - verdict Ballygiblin.
Blackrock v Erin’s Own - verdict Blackrock
Bandon v Kildorrery - verdict Kildorrery
Youghal v Mayfield - verdict Youghal
Cloughduv v Lisgoold - verdict Lisgoold
Premier Junior
Glen Rovers v Argideen Rangers - verdict Glen Rovers
St Finbarr’s v St Catherine’s - verdict St Catherine’s
Kilbrittain v Ballygarvan - verdict draw
Nemo Rangers v Barryroe - verdict Nemo Rangers.
Meelin v Milford - verdict a draw
Russell Rovers v Douglas - verdict Russell Rovers
Come 6pm on Sunday the picture of who goes where in the hurling championships will be a lot clearer, then after a week’s break, the defining 3rd round will take place over the weekend 6-8 September.
SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship
Just 2 weeks after completing a fabulous Senior and Intermediate double in Croke Park, the majority of the players on both teams will be back in action this week with the opening games in the group stages of the Senior Championship.
It actually gets underway tonight (Thursday) with 5 games scheduled.
It’s a Muskerry derby in Ballinora with Cloughduv meeting Aghabullogue, while Inniscarra play last year’s intermediate champions Blackrock in Belgooly, both at 7.15pm.
There are 3 games with 7pm starts on Thursday: Glen Rovers v Éire Óg in Rathpeacon, Courcey Rovers v Killeagh in Castle Road and champions Sarsfields open the defence of their title when they play Newcestown in Ovens.
On Friday at 7pm, it’s St Finbarr’s v St Catherines, while on Sunday at 4pm, divisional rivals Carrigdhoun meet Avondhu both in Castle Road.
Ladies Football
The 2nd round games in the group stages of the Senior Championship continue this weekend with 3 games on Sunday. In Group 1, Clonakilty will be at home to Éire Óg at 3pm, while at 7.15pm Bride Rovers travel to Rostellan to play Aghada.
In Group 2 Castlehaven welcome the champions Mourneabbey to West Cork at 3pm and the one game on Saturday is at 6pm where last year’s All-Ireland Intermediate Champions travel to play Fermoy.
Kevin Kehilly RIP
Kevin’s passing on Sunday last after a lengthy illness has evoked tremendous sadness as the Newcestown man was one of his clubs and Cork’s most outstanding footballers.
While the coveted Celtic Cross never came his way - he was studying in 1973 when Cork beat Galway - but that in no way should take from his contribution to Cork football.
3 Munster championships and 2 All-Stars, Munster minor and under 21 All-Ireland along with 5 Railway Cup medals and a NFL medal are among his inter-county collection but medals and honours apart, he was a teak tough defender and classy footballer over many years.
With his beloved Newcestown Kevin won intermediate football as captain in 1971 - ‘my proudest moment’ he said when interviewed a few years ago, junior hurling and football county medals while also winning 2 county senior medals with his division Carbery, and a Fitzgibbon Cup medal with UCD.
Coaching was another aspect of Kevin’s contribution to the games in Cork with CIT now MTU, and of course as trainer to the 3 in a row All-Ireland winning Cork hurling team in 1976-1978.
Many tributes have been paid to Kevin who battled his illness with all the spirit and determination he displayed on the field, it was sadly a battle he did not win, but as he always did, he gave it his best shot.
Sincere sympathy to his family at this sad time and to his friends and club colleagues in Newcestown who I am sure will honour his memory on the field of play in the coming weeks with the resolve they as a club and Kevin was renowned for.
Ar dheis Dé ar a anam dhílis.