Focus switches to Munster club hurling this weekend
With the county championships, bar the Junior and Under 21 now completed attention is now very much on the AIB Munster Club games and this week it’s hurling that will dominate proceedings;
3 Cork teams will have home advantage in their respective semi-finals.
AIB Munster Senior Hurling semi-final
Sarsfields v Feakle on Sunday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 3.15pm
“We are delighted to be training this late in the season but obviously we would prefer to be here as champions, but it is what it is and we are looking forward to Sunday,” said Sars manager Johnny Crowley on a brisk evening in Riverstown as the squad went through their paces.
Johhny did admit the first session back after the Imokilly game was brutal. “Shocking - it was the Saturday after it, there was no energy - nothing; it was as bad as I had seen, but we had a chat after it and to be fair since then it has been very good.”
“The players themselves have driven it on especially the more seasoned players in the group and the response has been excellent.”
They have also played 2 challenge games against UCC and Kilcormac/Killoughey in Urlingford last Saturday winning both and they are injury free.
Johnny also made the point Sunday presents them with a unique opportunity. “We have obviously been in county finals but our record in Munster is not good and this gives us a chance to reach a final and that is incentive alone.”
As for Feakle, they “seem to be a big strong team and few very good players and were very impressive in the final, so we know it’s going to be a tough game it’s what you would expect at this level.”
Playing in the Páirc will also help, it is in fact a first time in 11 years that a Cork club have got a home game in the championship. “The pitch is in great nick and hopefully we can perform and give the club a lift after the county final loss.”
Sars will also be trying to bridge a gap that goes back to 2016 - the last time a Cork team - Glen Rovers- won a game in the championships that they once dominated.
Granted a few of those defeats were by clubs like Sars on Sunday, that were the representatives rather than the champions, and that is a factor, some heavy defeats were shipped, equally some narrow losses, can Sars reverse that trend?
Well they will need a more consistent 60 minutes then they produced in the county final, and a bit more accuracy in front of goal.
Sars have lot of good and experienced players in their side, Daniel Kearney, Conor O’Sullivan and Craig Leahy among them who would relish a Munster final appearance, and at the same show that they are better than the loss to Imokilly.
Add in Luke Elliott, Cathal McCarthy, Jack O’Connor, Daniel Hogan and Aaron Myers all players who impressed in the run to the final.
Feakle will enjoy the trip to Cork and they will look to Eibhear Qulligan, young hurler of the year Adan Hogan, Shane McGrath, Killian Bane, Martin Daly and Oisin Donnellan to repeat their efforts of their historic county final win over Sixmilebridge as they ended a long wait to be crowned champions again.
Home advantage, while not crucial, is important none the less that and the desire to finally get a win in Munster might just tilt the tie Sars way.
The match as ever is live on C103.
Champions Ballygunner are at home in Walsh Park also on Sunday at 1.15pm to Clonoulty-Rossmore.
AIB Munster Junior Hurling
Russell Rovers v Moyle Rovers on Saturday at 1.15pm in Midleton
It’s familiar territory for the newly crowned Cork champions having been down this road before. They won the Munster title before coming unstuck in the All-Ireland Final so they exactly how to approach this championship.
The East Cork side were by far the most impressive team in the county championships and while it took them awhile to shake off a resolute and determined St Catherine’s side in the final, they were deserving winners.
Their opponents on Saturday are probably better known for their football exploits but they do have the benefit of a QF win over Kilgarvan from Kerry hitting 0-25 in what was a comfortable win.
Dara Ryan was the Tipperary champions’ main man in that win scoring 0-14, 0-8 coming from play so the message clearly here is do not foul within range or you will be punished.
Daniel Casey, Brian Gleeson, Luke Poland, Rory Collins, Shane Ryan and Dean English all made important contributions in that victory.
After enjoying the celebrations and savouring their win, as you must, Rovers will warm to the task keen to add another trophy to their cabinet and extend their season.
There is a nice balance to their team with a mixture of youth and experience.
Ross Walsh is an excellent goalkeeper, while Eoghan O’Sullivan, James Kennefick, Kevin Tattan anchor a solid defence, Kieran Walsh and Ruairi Cummins form a hard working midfield that generally gives them a vital edge.
Two key men in attack are Josh Beausang and Brian ‘Bud’ Hartnett while Ciaran Sheehan’s experience and craft at the edge of the square are vital components at this level.
Cork teams have won this championship for the last 5 years, including Russell Rovers victory in 2019, while no team from the Premier County should be underestimated, the expectation is that the East Cork lads will triumph especially with the game been played at the very familiar surroundings of the excellent Midleton venue.
The Banner and Waterford’s Kilrossanty contest the other semi-final.
AIB Munster Intermediate Hurling
Watergrasshill v Wolfe Tones Shannon on Saturday at 1.15pm in Páirc Uí Rinn
“We will enjoy tonight and tomorrow (Monday) maybe even Tuesday but then we will get back on the horse and prepare for Saturday.” That was the overriding theme from the Watergrasshill camp in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s victory in the County Final.
The short turnaround will be a factor - just a thought given the excellent condition of Páirc Uí Chaoimh why with it being a Cork v Clare semi-final, could it was played as a double header on Sunday? The extra day would have helped the ‘Hill.
That said the short turnaround did not hamper the Kilshannig footballers, although they did have the extra day.
For the Clare side, it is an extremely busy time as they won the intermediate double in the county and next week face Aherlow from Tipp in the football semi-final.
In the hurling final, they defeated Tubber by a point 1-17 to 0-19, and that comes on the back of being relegated the year before, a clear indication that this is a very good side that will really test the ‘Hill.
They have a lot of very good players with captain John Guilfoyle, Aaron Cunningham, the Lohans Darragh and Daithi, Aaron Shanagher and Rory Hayes among them and they will travel to Leeside confident they can win this one.
The key to this game could very well be how the ‘Hill will have recovered from their celebrations and their approach to this encounter. Of course it’s not going to be easy but then opportunities to win Munster or even All-Ireland titles do not come around that often.
They were excellent when it really mattered in last Sunday’s county final and if they can reproduce that form they will certainly be in with a shout.
Daire O’Leary, Adam Murphy, Sean Desmond, Aaron Spriggs, Brendan Lehane, Aidan Foley, Kevin O’Neill and Michael O’Driscoll have all been in great form in the championship to date and how they perform could shape this contest.
The ‘Hill had 7 players on the Imokilly panel that recently won the senior county and that experience will help them, that and the desire to extend their season will also, but maybe the game is coming just that bit too soon and the Clare champions might just shade this one.
Cashel King Cormacs and Abbeydorney are in the other semi-final.
County championships
With the Cork hurlers enjoying a well earned holiday, the semi-finals of the McCarthy Insurance Group County Junior Football Championship featuring Castlemartyr (Ciaran Joyce) and Inniscarra (Sean O’Donoghue) are deferred until they return.
The Co-Op Superstores Junior Hurling semi-final go ahead on Sunday both at 2pm. Killeagh play Killavullen in Rathcormac, while the tie between Ballinora and Tracton in Ballygarvan has an interesting family twist as the Kingston brothers are on opposite sides as coaches - Kieran with his native Tracton and Tom with Ballinora.