Football clubs back in action
There were 3 wins from 3 in the hurling last week. Can the 2 football clubs make it 5 from 5 in the AIB Munster Championship this weekend with two semi-finals down for decision?
The county championship action is somewhat limited this weekend with the main concentration on Junior B and under 21.
AIB Munster Intermediate Football semi-final
Kilshannig v Austin Stacks on Sunday in Glantane at 1pm
Stack’s relegation from the top grade in Kerry football was a huge shock, similar to that of Glen Rovers. Now just like the Cork side, Stacks have bounced back and are among the favourites to go the distance in this championship.
This was acknowledged by Kilshannig’s Killian O’Hanlon after their quarter-final win over Limerick champions Rathkeale. “Delighted to win today, but we know there is a big step in quality for the semi-final, Stacks are among one of the top sides in Kerry, but look we will prepare and give it our best shot.”
Playing in the familiar and well appointed home ground will be a help. “Well you saw it here today - the support was massive; everybody rowed in to make sure the place was in perfect condition and I know it will be the same the next day.”
Having won the Kerry championship, there was somewhat muted celebrations in the camp. Remember they were senior champions 3 years ago - it was a case of job done with a degree of satisfaction or relief.
As their captain Greg Horan explained after the win over Laune Rangers in the county final, “we are delighted to get back up as we always felt we are a senior club but the intermediate grade in Kerry is tough, so now it’s over and we move on”.
They were impressive winners in the final having been held to a draw first day out and the 8 week gap between games obviously helped them, with a few injuries clearing up and giving them more options when it mattered.
In fact substitutes were a factor in the win. They contributed 1-2 with Darragh O’Brien and Brendan O’Sullivan scoring 0-1 each while Cian Purcell drilled in the only goal of the game, while captain Horan kicked 0-3 from the centre-forward position.
Paddy Lane is a very effective forward with support from Daniel Kirby and Shane O’Callaghan.
At the other end they conceded just 0-5, which suggests a tough solid defence, manned by Jack O’Shea, Armin Heinrich and Paul O’Sullivan.
The Cork champions though will relish this challenge as they endeavour to break Kerry’s grip on this championship.
Kilshannig have been improving with every outing and have had some tough battles along the way and the manner in which they overcame them is testimony to the resolve within the group.
The depth in the squad is also important and just like Stacks, the impact off the bench has helped - it might very well be the case again on Sunday.
The O’Hanlons Eanna and Killian, along with Diarmuid and Darragh O’Sullivan, Bill Curtin, Tom Cunningham, Gavin Creedon and Conor Murphy have anchored their challenge all year and they will be key players again in this game.
Home advantage will help, but does not guarantee anything and this is a quality Stacks side fancied by many to win, Kilshannig will test them but the odds favour the visitors to prevail.
AIB Munster Junior Football semi-final
Kilmurry v Cashel King Cormack’s on Saturday at 1pm in New Inn
It’s a 3rd successive Munster campaign for the Cork champions; in fact they are bidding to reach the final for the 3rd year in a row and their manager Cormac Linehan reflected on that after their win over the Clare champions in the last round.
“It has been a long few years and tough at times but the lads are very resilient and determined to reach another final. We don’t know a lot about Cashel but we will look at that now having got over today.”
The club are still involved in 3 championships and that all helps. “It does we have Junior B and under 21 B county still to play for and that is good for the club it keeps us active and it’s not a bad thing to be playing into November and hopefully beyond.”
This game is one they should win even if it is away from home. Cashel are more renowned as a hurling club and have the Munster final against Watergrasshill on Saturday and will surely focus on that game.
In the Tipperary championship, they were beaten at the semi-final stage but as the eventual winners were a senior club, they are the nominated team from the Premier County.
Based on that and having received a bye into the semi-final, one would expect their lack of football and preparation will be somewhat limited.
Kilmurry had a real tough test in the quarter-final from Michael Cusacks who opened up an early lead and were playing well.
Once Kilmurry settled, there may have even been a bit of over confidence, they quickly re-established control and were deserving winners at the end.
Liam Wall, Tomas Collins, the Mullanes John and Joe, Lloyd Ashling, William Ronan and Kyle Kelleher all played important roles in that win and indeed throughout the campaign.
The expectation is Kilmurry will win and set up yet another final and barring a major upset in the other semi-final, Firies from Kerry should and probably will provide the opposition.
County championships
The main focus this weekend is on the Junior B grades and under 21.
On Sunday in Junior football, Kilmurry play Glenbower Rovers (Killeagh) in Páirc Uí Rinn at 1.30pm while in the other semi-final, it’s Ballinhassig v Goleen in Enniskeane.
The Junior B Hurling final is also on Sunday at 3.15pm with Kilbrittain v Fr O’Neill’s in Páirc Uí Rinn.
There are two interesting games in under 21 A: in hurling it’s Ballincollig v Shandrum in Kanturk and in football, it’s Ballinora v Aghada in Caherlag both at 2pm on Sunday.
All-Stars
It was a special night for Cork camogie on Friday with 8 All-Star Seniors and 6 on the Intermediate team - all well deserved.
Amy Lee, Laura Treacy, Laura Hayes, Ashling Thompson, Saoirse McCarthy, Amy O’Connor and just like brothers Robert and Eoin Downey in hurling, the Mackey sisters Pamela and Catriona were honoured.
On the Intermediate team Aoife Barrett, Emma Flanagan, Niamh O’Leary, Lauren Homan, Tara McCarthy and Cliona O’Callaghan were selected.
It did not end there; Ger Manley was named manager of the year and fittingly the outstanding and remarkably consistent Laura Hayes was named PWC/GPA Player of the Year.
Congratulations to all - well deserved.
24 hours later at the Ladies Football All-Stars, there was another Cork winner this time the highly talented Katie Quirke who finished the championship as 3rd top scorer with 1-20, congratulations to the Bride Rovers player.
There’s a big day for Cork camogie next Sunday at their grounds in Castle Road; it’s a Christmas Fair and bric a brac from 10am to 4pm, free entry and ample parking. Gifts, ceramics, glass, jewellery and baking plus lots more with something for everyone, drop down and support this worthy cause.
Saturday and Sunday week will be hectic: 3 Munster club hurling finals, a county junior hurling final, junior football semi-finals and an All-Ireland ladies football semi-final and off the field a Special Congress that will decide the future shape of football.
Did someone mention, an off season? No not really.