Home comforts for Cork teams
There’s another busy weekend coming up. However the sad passing of Ray Ryan, the brother of Cork hurling manager Pat, puts sport and results into perspective and our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues in both Sars Hurling Club, Glanmire Football Club and An Garda Siochána at this very sad time.
Three of the four games are in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday and it’s a tribute to the ground staff that despite all the very bad weather, the pitch will comfortably take the three games.
The camogie team are on the road on Saturday and they head to Dublin.
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Cork v Kilkenny on Saturday at 5pm at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
This is certain to a tough evening for the Cork lads given the tragic events of the last few days and one wonders what the mindset will be, although on the instructions of the manager they did train on Tuesday night. A performance might be more important than the result on this occasion.
They were very disappointed at losing to Tipperary in a game in which they only played in patches and a few basic errors left them down. A failure to convert the goal chances was another factor.
Tipperary were very much up for the game, obviously intent on trying to get the result at the same venue last summer out of their system; they achieved that and now are safe in 1A for next season and on the cusp of a league final appearance.
That said the table is somewhat distorted, with some teams having played more games than the rest, Tipp for instance are on 4 games while Limerick are only on 2.
League champions Clare are in real battle to avoid relegation so the next few weeks will be interesting for every manager.
Kilkenny whose game with Limerick fell victim to the weather have now had a two week break and will be a bit fresher coming into this game.
Derek Lyng’s side won on their last visit under the lights to Leeside and having won 2 of their 3 games, including beating Clare in Ennis and they will want to push on in this game.
They were comfortable winners over Wexford last time out and Mikey Carey, Billy Drennan, Eoin Cody, Huw Lawlor, Paddy Deegan, Cian Kenny and Eoin Murphy all look set to feature on Saturday.
Injuries have affected Cork in recent weeks and it will be interesting to see if that has eased somewhat.
Deccie Dalton is again likely to miss out and he had a minor issue dealt with, and maybe we might see Rob Downey, Mark Coleman and Sean O’Donoghue include in the match day 26.
Niall O’Leary was one of the stand out players in the defence in Thurles along with Micheál Mullins, with Eoin Downey and Ciaran Joyce enjoying a mixed night.
Darragh Fitzgibbon once again top scored with 0-11, while in attack a full 70 minutes is needed; Brian Hayes, Robbie O’Flynn and Shane Barrett played in fits and starts, and Patrick Horgan looked lively when introduced.
A win will propel Cork back into the race for a place in the league final, and even with all that has gone on they might just do that.
Full commentary on C103.
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Cork v Roscommon on Saturday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 7pm
It was a long time after the final whistle in Inniskeen last Sunday before manager John Cleary came out to speak to 96FM/C013’s Michael Scanlon following the loss to Monaghan.
“Very disappointed with not only the loss but the performance. We left ourselves with too much to do in the 2nd half as our defending was just not good enough at this level.”
John though quickly pointed out the absence through injury of at least 6 defenders; they lost Maurice Shanley in the Westmeath game and then midway through the first half last Saturday Neil Lordan left the field and is doubtful and unlikely to be fit this weekend.
John also said: “Brian (Hurley) travelled but had a slight niggle and we just did not want to take a chance with him, giving the injuries he’s had of late.”
Going back to the defending, that’s 7 goals in 4 games, and Monaghan had another disallowed, granted the new rules have changed the dynamics of the games, but that’s too many to concede.
How do you rectify it, especially when your resources are limited?
It is likely that 5 of the 6 that started in Inniskeen will feature again.
The experience of Rory Maguire, Matty Taylor and Daniel O’Mahony is needed more than ever.
Patrick Doyle made a couple of good saves, but his tendency to venture well into the opposition half has yielded very little dividends so far.
Roscommon have top class forwards in David and Ciaran Murtagh, Donie Smith and an option off the bench in Conor Cox.
Yet another testing 70 minutes ahead for the defence.
Ian Maguire might start this time out as he impressed when introduced and Colm O’Callaghan might have an edge in midfield.
The attack was limited from play with the majority of scores coming from placed balls.
Mark Cronin bagged 1-8, Chris Óg Jones was kept very quiet, Sean McDonnell and Paul Walsh likewise, while for once Brian O’Driscoll had an off day, and Conor Cahalane looked lively when introduced.
Roscommon themselves were beaten by Meath, who have won all three games since losing to Cork, so they will be chomping at the bit to get back on the horse so to speak.
It’s a must win game for Cork if they are to have any hope of promotion or to avoid getting dragged into a relegation battle.
A marked improvement will be needed all over the field; will that be enough though against a side that have the capacity to rack up big scores?
The desire to get the win and make it 3 from 3 at home is a big incentive for John Cleary’s side; let’s hope it gets them over the line.
Full commentary on C103.
Lidl Ladies Football Division 2
Cork v Roscommon on Saturday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 3pm
Three wins from four has put Joe Carroll’s side in an excellent position heading into this game and another victory in only their 2nd game at home will put them in pole position for immediate promotion.
The latest win in Monaghan last Sunday was one of significance as the conditions were difficult and they sustained a strong fight back from the home side in the 2nd half.
Katie Quirke was as ever very effective and her 7 points were crucial, Aimee Corcoran got a vital goal, while Marie O’Callaghan, Erika O’Shea, Laura O’Mahony and Sarah Leahy all played well.
Interestingly dual players Hannah Looney and Libby Coppinger both featured in the win. Coppinger was a half-time substitute, having played with the camogie team on Saturday.
There is a fixture clash this Saturday with both teams playing. It surely could have been avoided, and the respective managements will come to some arrangement.
Roscommon who were promoted from Division 3 last year are on 4 points with 1 win, 1 draw and 2 losses, the draw coming last Sunday against Donegal, who bagged a last minute goal.
Ellen Irwin, Saoirse Wynne, Niamh Watson, Caoimhe Gregg and Rosie and Caoimhe Lennon are among their key players.
Playing at home will help as will their recent run of wins and Cork should claim the points and keep them firmly on track for a swift return to the top division.
In fact win on Saturday and with Clare also coming to town in a few weeks time, their destiny is very much in their own hands.
Very National Camogie League Division 1A
Cork v Dublin on Saturday in St Pergrines at 2pm
Having got their campaign off to a winning start at home last Saturday, Cork will be keen to get another two points on the board when they head up the motorway on Saturday.
Manager Ger Manley was pleased with the win. “We got off to a good start and never looked like losing after that; the game kind of petered out but job done and we move on.”
A number of players are still out of action with injuries and coming back to training a bit later, but Ger is not really concerned. “Look that always happens at this time of the year, girls picked up knocks in the Ashbourne but we will manage that and monitor them in the coming weeks.”
Dublin are next up and Ger will be taking nothing for granted. “We have had the edge over them in recent meetings but I believe they have a lot done and it could be a tough game with conditions being a bit difficult.”
As to emphasise Ger’s point Dublin drew with reigning league champions Tipperary in the Ragg last Saturday so they will be boosted by that result.
Tipp looked likely winners but Dublin kept battling away and eventually came away with a well deserved share of the spoils.
Eimear Hurley, Claire Gannon, Sarah Power, Sinead Wylde and Aisling Gannon all made important contributions to that draw.
Cork may be still without a few key players but the depth in the squad is very good right now and when you can call on Libby Coppinger, Amy Lee, Laura Hayes, Saoirse McCarthy, Aoife Healy and Orlaith Cahalane, they should have enough to get the points on offer.
On Sunday in the All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship, Cork after drawing with Tipperary in Round 1 welcome Kilkenny to Castle Road, 2pm start here.