July award for Downey ahead of quieter weekend
With the clubs in both hurling and football enjoying a well earned week off ahead of the defining round of games, focus this week is on the finals in the Divisional and Colleges section.
There are also important games in the camogie and ladies football championships.
July award winner
Robert Downey is the winner of the July 96FM/C103 GAA Sports Star of the month award.
“Obviously it did not end the way we would have wanted but that aside it was an exciting few weeks and hopefully we can build on that,” said Robert Downey on receiving the award for July in association with the Rochestown Park Hotel.
Reaching the final did not look possible after early losses to Waterford and Clare: “No it did not but the season turned on the win over Limerick and it took off from there, and the lads just worked very hard to get the wins in the games that followed.”
As for that night in the Páirc, Rob had this to say: “Absolutely incredible - it was a brilliant match but when Hoggie stuck that penalty and then the point from Brian (Hayes), the place erupted and none of us ever experienced that before, it was just amazing.”
Rob also paid tribute to the supporters. “Massive all year - for every game league and championship they were there in numbers and it really gave us a lift, even that afternoon when we beat Tipp in Thurles, they were outstanding.”
The final itself, result apart, it was a marvellous contest and Rob scored one of the goals of the season. “Well it just opened up in front of me after I caught the puck out and I kept running I was looking to pass to Alan (Connolly) but his man covered him so I just hit it as hard as I could and well, we know the rest.”
Now though Rob is back with his club and featured with both Glen Rovers and St Nicks in their recent championship wins. “Yeah last year after we were knocked out early, it was a long summer but this time a few days off and back at it which is great and hopefully a good few weeks coming up.”
Pat Horgan Chairman of Cork County Board also congratulated Rob on his award and his outstanding display not just in the final but all season and he also wished both Glen Rovers and St Nick’s well in the championship and he hoped that the Glen could quickly regain their place in the top tier of Cork hurling. He also thanked Rochestown Park Hotel and Cork’s 96FM/C013 for their continued promotion of the awards.
Tom Tobin of Rochestown Park Hotel and Isabel Keane of Cork’s 96FM also congratulated Rob.
Robert was accompanied by his family including brothers Tom and Eoin, who was a monthly winner last year, and inter-county colleague Brian Hayes who was also a monthly and indeed an overall winner.
Cork coach Donal O’Rourke was in attendance as was PRO Francis Kenneally, and Derek Connolly. Glen Rovers President John O’Callaghan, Chairman Liam Martin and PRO Mary Newman along with St Nick’s Chairman Michael Byrne and Vice-Chairman Des Cullinane were also in attendance.
Rob now joins the previous monthly winners ahead of the gala banquet on 31 January at which the overall winner will be announced.
Divisional and colleges section finals
McCarthy Insurance Group Football Championship
Muskerry v Duhallow on Friday in Macroom at 7.30pm
Co-op Super Stores Hurling Championship
Imokilly v Muskerry on Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7pm
This section of both county championships have been somewhat diluted by the withdrawal of several divisions even after some had played games in the round-robin phase of the championship, which does little for the image of the competition.
There are some in the divisions who are actually questioning if they are viable going forward given the format of the championship which affords little time for preparation as clubs are and rightly so more focussed on their own championships.
That though is a discussion for another day and for the 4 teams involved over the weekend the focus will be on winning and in the process securing a place in the QF of the county championship which is some incentive.
Duhallow have been consistent performers and will be favoured to progress but the Mid-Cork side have some very good players and displayed good resilience to defeat Carbery in their last game.
Chris Óg Jones was the key player that night hitting 0-5 and got good support from Mark Corrigan, Liam Twohig, Liam O’Connor, Liam Wall and goalkeeper Joseph Creedon.
Ger O’Sullivan is the manager of the Duhallow side who had matters all their own way in the win over UCC, which saw veteran Donnacha O’Connor play in goal owing to injuries to their regular custodian and he played well to be fair.
David O’Connor, Jack Curtin and Luke Murphy were the goal scorers in that win with Kevin Cremin, Mickey McAuliffe, and the Hickeys Seamus and Shane all making important contributions.
The sides met twice last year and Duhallow won both and I expect them to win this one and in the process retain the Tadgh Crowley Cup and head into the last eight of the championship, as they have done on a regular basis.
If Duhallow have been the dominant division in football, Imokilly are the equivalent in hurling and are once again hotly favoured to retain the Denis O’Riordan Cup and they displayed their desire by demolishing Avondhu in their only outing so far.
Their coach is Denis Ring and he is very keen to maintain their interest in the championship and with the players that are available to him it’s easy to see why.
In the win over Avondhu, they notched up an impressive tally of 5-24, and that was without Ciaran Joyce and Seamus Harnedy.
They did have among others Eoin Davis, Bill Cooper, Daire O’Leary, John Cronin, Jack Leahy and Timmy Wilk - quality players there.
Diarmuid Kirwan is overseeing the Muskerry effort and he is delighted with the effort the players have shown this season and they have got their just reward by making the final.
Adam Dinan, Cian O’Driscoll, Eoin O’Shea, Padraig O’Sullivan and Cork under 20 players Tadgh O’Connell and James O’Dwyer along with Matthew Bradley have been to the fore in their campaign to date.
They will give it their best shot but they are facing an experienced outfit in Imokilly who look better equipped to win.
There is one club game on, it’s the rescheduled Midleton v Kanturk clash on Saturday in Castletownroche at 6.45ppm, the original fixture was abandoned owing to a medical emergency last Sunday.
Good to hear that the person involved is on the road to recovery and we send him our best wishes.
Bouquets also to all involved in aiding the man when he took ill and a special mention to the host club Castletownroche for endeavours in extremely difficult circumstances.
SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship
Results in round 1 more or less went to form with no real surprise results although last year’s intermediate champions Blackrock came from behind to earn a well deserved draw with a fancied Inniscarra.
There are 6 games scheduled for the weekend and the results here will shape the groups with qualification for the winners coming into focus.
Five of the matches are on Friday: Blackrock will look to build on that result when they play Cloughduv in Blarney at 6.30pm, while there’s Muskerry derby in Blackrock - Inniscarra v Aghabullogue at 6.45pm.
Courcey Rovers who lost to Killeagh last time out, will look to bounce back when they play Newcestown in Riverstick also at 6.45pm.
The champions Sars face East Cork rivals Killeagh in Castlemartyr at 7pm and this could very well be the game of the weekend.
Glen Rovers who dug out a win in difficult conditions over Éire Óg with good displays from Denise Luby, Leanne O’Sullivan, Katie Walsh, Emma Murphy and Lydia Cunningham will bid to make it two from two when they play St Catherine’s in Castle Road at 6.45pm.
The last game is on Saturday again in Castle Road at 6pm where St Finbarr’s will be favoured to defeat Éire Óg.
Ladies Football
The group stages have also thrown up some interesting results but once again it appears that holders Mourneabbey look like the team to beat.
There are four games in round 3 this weekend all on Sunday, with a lot at stake for some teams.
In Group 1 Bride Rovers play Clonakilty in Rathcormac at 12.30pm while at 3pm in Ovens, it’s Éire Óg v Kinsale.
Group 2 will see Glanmire play Castlehaven in the Pike Field at 2pm, at 3pm in Mourneabbey it’s Mourneabbey v St Vals.
Next week it’s the 3rd and final round of the Co-Op Super Stores Hurling Championship with so much at stake.
What we do know is that already some big names have falling and there could very well be a few more come 6pm on Sunday week - it should be intriguing.