It’s knockout from here on in
Now that the group stages of both county championships are complete, the scene is set for the knockout phase to begin - the safety net is removed from here on in it’s a case of winner takes all.
Hurling dominates this weekend with the quarterfinals in the Co-Op Superstores Championships in all 5 grades scheduled and equally important for those involved, the dreaded relegation play-offs.
It is also quarter-final time in the SE Systems County Senior Camogie Championship and some crucial games in the Senior Ladies Football Championship.
Premier Senior
Midleton v Newtownshandrum on Friday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 8pm
Runners-up last year, Midleton have shrugged off injuries, abandonment and possible suspension to keep their Championship ambitions on track and they will need to be at their very best in this game as Newtown are showing just how hard they can be to beat.
Tim O’Mahoney along with experienced Cathal Naughton and Jamie Coughlan are providing the leadership with the likes of Ronan Geary and Conor Griffin are responding to and they will relish this challenge.
Midleton got a real test from Erin’s Own and they were grateful to the accuracy of Conor Lehane, he landed 0-14 and actually had no wide - he will certainly need minding.
Tommy O’Connell, Luke O’Farrell, Ross O’Regan and Cormac Beausang all impressed and they will need to be as good again if they are to prevail. They will start as favourites, but Newtown are well capable of springing a surprise.
Imokilly v Fr O’Neill’s on Sunday in Midleton at 3.30pm
The divisional side showed what they are about with the demolition of Muskerry in the section final a few weeks back. Even without a few key players, they were in control from start to finish.
Ciarán Joyce, Mike Kelly, Seamus Harnedy, John Cronin, Diarmuid Healy, Jack Leahy and Daire O’Leary all showed their quality in that win.
A few years ago, a few of the O’Neill’s lads were winning county medals wearing the Imokilly jersey. Now they will be endeavouring to deny them making the semi-final, a real measure of that club’s progress.
They do have quality players in the Millericks, Jason Hankard, Billy Dunne, Paudie McMahon and of course Declan Dalton whose scoring exploits are well documented.
This is going to be a real test for the club side but you just feel the depth and quality that Imokilly possess will see them win.
Blackrock v Kanturk on Saturday in Fermoy at 5.30pm
This could very well be the game of the weekend as Kanturk are in the QF for the first time and with their footballers in the semi-final, things are really going well for this dual club.
One thing that struck me when I saw them play Midleton was their physicality and they bring an edge to their game that the ‘Rockie’s will certainly have to match and maybe even better.
Blackrock have done what was required of them and emerged from a tough group unbeaten and are showing improvement with every game and with a few injuries clearing up, will be confident ahead of the trip to a venue where many a city team have floundered in recent years.
Alan Connolly is in top form and with John and Niall Cashman, Fionn Coleman, Ciaran Cormack and Robbie Cotter all turning in good performances, they will relish this test.
Kanturk get a lot from a hardcore of dual players, the Walshs, (Alan bagged 3-3 in the thrilling win over Charleville), and the McLoughlins in particular, but add in the free scoring Brian O’Sullivan, Lorcan O’Neill, Grantis Bucinskas and Rory Sheehan and there is a nice balance to their team.
Blackrock will go in as favourites, this though is one game that is hard to call, but I having a feeling that Kanturk might just might shade it, and maybe with extra-time thrown in.
Intermediate A
Mayfield v Erin’s Own in Ballymaw on Saturday at 5.30pm
The city side had a narrow win over Cloughduv last time out with Nicky Kelly a big player for them. They will need a few more to step up if they are to win this one against a resolute Erin’s Own outfit.
Blackrock v Ballygiblin on Sunday in Mourneabbey at 3.30pm
After a slow start Ballygiblin appear to be hitting form at the right time and with the possibility that Mark Keane, as he did with Mitchelstown last weekend, could feature. They should win this one.
Premier Intermediate on Saturday at 5.30pm
Carrigaline v Ballinhassig in Riverstick
This has the makings of a real cracker and certainly Carrigaline are going very well in both codes and should enter this game full of confidence. Ballinhassig had a very impressive win over Kilworth in the last round but did lose Ger Collins to a red card and there is a slight concern about the fitness of Adam O’Sullivan but if Patrick Collins, Fintan O’Leary and Darragh O’Sullivan play to form, they should win.
Dungourney v Mallow in Páirc Uí Rinn
The East Cork side could be seen as the surprise packet in this championship but they have delivered some big wins at various grades in the last few years and they are well capable of doing just that again.
Senior A
Blarney v Killeagh on Sunday in Midleton at 2pm
Killeagh confounded everyone by the margin of victory over Inniscarra that propelled them into the QF with excellent displays from Dylan McCarthy - he scored 1-9, Sean Sheehan, David Buckley and Ryan McCarthy.
Blarney though are a cut above a lot of teams in this grade and topped their group with 3 wins from 3 and with Mark Coleman, Shane Barrett and Padraig Power in excellent form, they will have a bit too much for the East Cork side. Bride Rovers await the winners in the semi-final.
Na Piarsaigh v Castlelyons on Saturday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.15pm
This is an intriguing encounter and with Glen Rovers watching on, the incentive for Na Piarsaigh will be that bit greater I would imagine.
They did lose to Blarney, narrowly in the last round and before that won 2 tight games which would suggest confidence is returning after a couple of tough seasons.
Evan Sheehan, Ross O’Sullivan, Kevin Moynihan and Padraig Guest impressed for Na Piarsaigh and will need to be as good again.
Castlelyons racked up a huge score 0-30 in seeing off Cloyne and they have shown enough in their group to suggest they will be hard to beat.
Alan Fenton remains their top scorer, with Niall O’Leary, James Kearney, Keith O’Leary and Jack Barry all making important contributions.
Not an easy one to call but a nod to Na Piarsaigh.
Premier Junior Hurling Quarter-finals on Saturday at 5.30pm
Nemo Rangers v Glen Rovers in Ballincollig
An all-city clash between two sides that have met regularly in the Seandun Championship over the years, all were close contests and this will be no exception.
Kevin O’Donovan, James Masters and Mark Cronin are key players for Nemo while Conor Dorris, Ben Heffernan, Fiachra O’Driscoll and Shane Busteed similarly for Glen who might have a bit more in attack to get over the line.
Milford v St Catherines in Kildorrery
St Catherines were runners up in the championship last year and subsequently went on to win the Munster title. They did suffer a defeat in the 1st round to Glen Rovers but have shown steady improvement since and while Milford’s stock has also risen it might not be enough to deny the East Cork side a place in semi-final.
Relegation playoffs on Saturday at 4pm
Premier Senior - Bishosptown v Charleville in Grenagh
Based on results in the group phase, Charleville should win this one. They lost they games narrowly and could very easily have been in the QF - small margins as they say. By contrast Bishopstown suffered some heavy defeats and it’s unlikely they will turn it around.
Senior A - Carrigtwohill v Cloyne in Castlemartyr
An East Cork derby which brings an added dimension to this crucial game, Cloyne with a lack of replacements have been struggling for a couple of years but always manage one big performance they will need it here if they are to survive. If not, Carrigtwohill will.
Premier Intermediate - Aghabullogue v Kilworth in Blarney
Intermediate champions last year, are Aghabullogue about to make a quick return? The absence of key players has not helped them, similarly Eoin Carey’s injuries have kept the Cork panellist out of the Kilworth team. If he’s available, it might swing it for the Avondhu side.
Intermediate A - Aghada v Cloughduv in Shanbally
A big win in football last week might just give Aghada the edge here.
Premier Junior - Argideen Rangers v Douglas in Ovens
Argideen lost a few games narrowly but should prevail here.
SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship
All 4 quarter-finals are down for decision on Saturday and some interesting contests are listed.
Glen Rovers and Killeagh meet in Rostellan at 2.30pm and the East Cork girls will start as favourites with Laura Tracey, Chloe Sigerson and Hannah Looney in their side. Glen though are making steady progress with Denise Luby, Leanne O’Sullivan, Katie Walsh and Lydia Cunningham impressing.
Castleyons at the same time is the venue for the meeting of champions Sars and last year’s Intermediate champions Blackrock with Sars favoured to progress.
Similarly St Finbarr’s with a host of inter-county panellists should be too strong for Inniscarra in Castle Road at 1.30pm while at 4.30pm Cloughduv and Courcey Rovers should be a close affair.
It’s been a good week for camogie with 12 Cork nominees for the PwC Camogie All Stars team of 2024, while Saoirse McCarthy and Laura Hayes are Player of the Year nominees in senior, with Lauren Homan and Emma Flanagan are nominated for the Player of the Year accolade in intermediate - well deserved by all!
Ladies football
The group stages in senior are nearing completion and a lot to play as the 4 semi-finals spots are up for grabs, with 4 games on Sunday.
In group 1 Bride Rovers play Éire Óg in Rathcormac at 3pm, while at 4.30pm in Rostellan it’s Aghada v Kinsale.
Group 2 is very intriguing and the big game here is the meeting of reigning champions Mourneabbey and last year’s Intermediate champions Glanmire, who lost to St Val’s on Tuesday - a result which threw the group wide open.
In the Pike, Mourneabbey need the win to remain on course for a semi-final spot, while Femoy host St Val’s - both games at 3pm.