Football takes centre stage
Now that the group phase of the hurling championship is complete, focus this weekend is very much on the McCarthy Insurance Group Football Championship and just like their hurling counterparts, a lot is at stake across the 5 groups.
There are vital games also in the SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship and in the group stages of the Senior Ladies Football Championship.
Premier Senior all on Sunday at 4pm
Champions Castlehaven have all but secured the only semi-final spot and Nemo Rangers are also through, along with Muskerry of course, so a lot to play for in this grade.
Group 1
Nemo Rangers v Newcestown in Cloughduv
Ballincollig v Éire Óg in Kilmurry
As they have regularly done, Nemo have secured their place in the QF. A semi-final spot looks beyond them at this stage but they will want to end this phase of the championship on a winning note, but as they always do Newcestown will test them and having won their opening game, the West Cork club still within a chance of progressing, but odds on a Nemo win.
Ballincollig had a narrow win over Newcestown last time out to keep their chances alive but they face a tough test against their local rivals who can still progress. If Nemo win, a draw will do Ballincollig and they might just get that.
Group 2
Castlehaven v Carbery Rangers in Leap
St Michaels v Clonakilty in Bandon
The champions are really going well with the Hurleys, Maguires, Cahalanes and Mark Collins keen to retain their title, they are in pole position for the semi-final and a win here will get them that.
Clonakilty on the verge of elimination need to win this one and even though they lost heavily last time out to Castlehaven, Michael’s will test them and a draw will get them through, if as expected the ‘Haven win.
Group 3
Mallow v Douglas in Grenagh
St Finbarr’s v Valley Rovers in Coachfrord
Only Douglas of the four teams are out of contention and even the ‘Barrs are in danger of missing out as having lost to Mallow in the last round, they must beat Valley Rovers to maintain an interest in the championship.
Ian Maguire, Brian Hayes and Ethan Twomey are vital players for the Togher side who will be hard to beat especially after their poor showing last time out, but Mallow with Matty Taylor and Ryan Harkin in good form, played very well and they should account for Douglas. Equally I expect the ‘Barr’s to win as well.
Castlehaven for the semi-final, with Nemo Rangers, St Finbarr’s, Mallow, Ballincollig and a long shot but St Michael’s to join them along with Muskerry in the QF.
Premier Intermediate all on Saturday at 6.15pm
Kilmurry is sure to welcome a big crowd to their venue for a Mid-Cork derby between Iveleary and Aghabullogue both on 4 points and apart from topping the table, local bragging rights are also at stake.
Aghabullogue will hope to put their hurling disappointment behind them and with Paul Ring back in action, they will be determined to try and clinch the semi-final spot but Chris Óg Jones is in top form for the Gaelthacht side and that might tilt it their way.
Aghada and Ilen Rovers are battling to avoid a relegation battle in their game and Ilen’s long losing run could continue.
It’s a bit tighter in Group 2, with 3 of the 4 teams in contention. Only Bandon who play Nemo Rangers cannot progress; a Nemo win here is likely, which would mean the outcome of the Bantry on 4 points v Naomh Abán encounter will shape the outcome of the group. Bantry to win and possibly claim a semi-final place.
Kilshannig look set to claim top spot in Group 3 and they should make it 3 from 3 when they face pointless Macroom who even with former Kerry player Aidan O’Mahony as coach have been a big disappointment. Can they reverse their recent form and throw the group open? Unlikely.
The big game here is the meeting of Castletownbere and Rockchapel both on 2 points - it’s effectively a winner takes all clash.
This is going to be an extremely tough evening for the lads from the Beara Peninsula given the tragic loss of Dave Fenton in recent weeks - in fact Dave played in their win over Macroom in the last round.
Their preparation will for obvious reasons have been limited but they will want to honour his memory by extending their season, it certainly won’t be easy but they are well capable of doing just that and winning.
Bantry Blues and Iveleary for the semi-finals, with Aghabullogue, Nemo Rangers, Kilshannig and Castletownbere into the QFs.
Senior A all on Sunday at 2pm
The reality here is that the main focus will be on who avoids relegation as 2 of the 3 groups are decided with only top spot on offer, and that’s important as well of course with a semi-final place on offer.
Group 1
Cill Na Martra v Carrigaline in Ballymaw
Ballingeary v Kiskeam in Carrigadrohid
Carrigaline and Cill Na Martra have this group sorted and top spot is now the aim, Brian O’Driscoll has been a huge addition to the Carrigdhoun side as evidenced by winning the Division1 league title.
Equally Cill Na Martra are maintaining the form they showed in winning last year’s Premier Intermediate title; they are a tough nut to crack and could shade this one.
The other game is a battle to stay in the grade and Ballingeary might make it a Gaelthacht double by winning this one.
Group 2
Kanturk v Fermoy in Glantane
Dohenys v O’Donovan Rossa in Rossmore
The big game here is the West Cork derby as the winners will progress. Dohenys mixed the good with the bad in getting over Fermoy last time out, while O’Donovan Rossa took a real hammering 3-16 to 0-8 from Kanturk and will surely have knocked them back. Local derbies take on a life of their own but the odds favour Dohenys.
Kanturk are already qualified, Fermoy are out so with their hurlers into the QF, a 3rd win for Kanturk could get them into the semi-final and give them a bit of breathing space with the knockout phase to come.
Group 3
Knocknagree v Bishopstown in Clondrohid
Clyda Rovers v Newmarket in Ballyclough
Having been knocking on the door in recent years, pardon the pun, Knocknagree are still battling away to reach the top grade. Like Bishopstown, they are qualified and the winners here will get the top spot.
Pride and trying to avoid the drop at stake in the 2nd game but injuries and retirement looks to be catching up on Clyda.
Picking the semi-finalist is a tough here, but will take a punt on Cill Na Martra and Kanturk with Bishopstown, Knocknagree, Carrigaline and Doheny’s into the quarters.
Premier Junior Football all on Friday at 7.30pm
Buttevant, Kilmurry and Kinsale have maximum points from their 2 games and are contenders for the 2 semi-final spots and by virtue of their big winning margins, Buttevant look set to get 1 of these places.
In Group 1 there’s a local derby between Kilmurry and Canovee and a draw will do the former and that in fact would put both through. In the other game, Cobh and St James are battling to avoid the relegation play-off.
In Group 2 Kinsale will be favoured to beat Glenville and if they do, it could give them the semi-final spot, while in the Duhallow derby, a Cullen win over Ballydesmond would see them progress.
Buttevant look all set to win group 3 and should account for Urhan, while St Nick’s with Robert and Eoin Downey playing key roles, got back on track by beating Urhan and a repeat against pointless Milstreet would see them into a QF.
Prediction time: Buttevant and Kinsale to make the semi-finals with St Nick’s, Kilmurry, Cullen and Canovee into the QFs.
Intermediate A all on Saturday afternoon at 4.30pm
It’s tight at the top in Group 1 with Gabriel Rangers on 4 points and Adrigole on 3 points and their meeting will determine who tops the group and with it get a semi-final place. In the other game, Kildorerry will look to put the disappointment of their hurling loss behind them when they play Dromtarriffe and a win might see them advance but it’s out of their own hands.
Glanworth lead Group 2 with 4 points and a draw with Ballinora on 2 points, could see them into the semi-final, while a Mitchelstown win over bottom side St Vincent’s could give them a QF place.
In Group 3 only Na Piarsaigh are out of the equation and unlikely to beat St Finbarr’s and a Barr’s win would make it interesting as Boherbue on 4 points play Glanmire who are a point less well off.
Tougher job here picking who goes where as it’s so tight but the 6 to advance may be Gabriel Rangers, Adrigole, Glanworth, Mitchelstown, Boherbue and St Finbarr’s - we let the calculators work out the rest!
SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship
Just 2 games this weekend with Preliminary quarter-finals in a Castle Road double-header on Saturday afternoon.
First up at 2.30pm it’s St Catherine’s v Courcey Rovers with the East Cork girls favoured to progress, while at 5.30pm it’s former winners Seandun against last season’s Intermediate champions Blackrock who could upset the divisional side who have a number of injury concerns including Amy O’Connor.
The winners will then join sides already qualified for the QFs: St Finbarr’s, Killeagh, Sars, Cloughduv, Glen Rovers and Inniscarra in the draw.
Senior Ladies Football championship
Following a few surprising results in the last round, the group stages continue this weekend with places in the knockout phase on the line.
In Group 1, there are two games on Sunday: Kinsale v Bride Rovers in Kinsale at 3.30pm while at 3pm Clonakilty are at home to Aghada.
Group 2 sees Fermoy make the long trip to Castlehaven on Saturday night for a 7.30pm throw in, while on Sunday in Canovee it’s Glanmire v St Vals at 5.30pm.
The fact that there are no quarter-finals with only the top two in each group going to the semi-finals makes this very interesting and could the champions lose their vice like grip on the title as a few new contenders enter the equation? The picture will become a lot clearer after this weekend.
Finally the Cork Ladies Football Board are seeking a new manager for their senior team following Shane Roynane’s decision to step down after 3 years in charge. Potential candidates must make their submission by Sunday next at 6pm, after which the process of appointing Shane’s successor will begin.