Key weekend for Cork teams
4 Cork senior teams are in action this weekend, 2 at home and 2 on the road, after which their destiny in their respective leagues will be a lot clearer.
Three of the four games are effectively semi-finals, with the footballers in yet another crucial trip to Cavan in their final group game.
Allianz NHL Division 1A
Cork v Galway on Saturday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 7.30pm
On the back of their demolition of Clare, Pat Ryan’s men set off to a training camp in Portugal very much aware that they were still in the race for a place in the league final, so no doubt they were keeping an eye on the game in Nowlan Park last Saturday.
As it transpired Kilkenny’s 9 point win resolved most issues in Division 1A. Tipperary are in the final, Clare and Wexford are relegated, Limerick and Kilkenny are mid-table, so now Cork v Galway is a semi-final.
Both have won 3 games against the same opposition, Cork’s draw with Limerick means another draw on Saturday will see them progress.
Pat Ryan made no secret of the fact that they want to win every game, and after the win over Clare he reiterated that point: “We were good today but now we must back it up again when we play Galway.”
Cork were really very impressive that day; 6 goals scored and in control from start to finish, the only downside was the very harsh red card given to Cormac O’Brien, which has been appealed.
By contrast Galway were very poor in their last outing against Limerick and that will concern manager Michael O’Donoghue, so expect a backlash.
This is probably a Galway side in transition in O’Donoghue’s 2nd stint in the managers role and while they have not really impressed in some of their games, notably against Wexford, they do have some very good players.
Darach Fahy is a top class goalkeeper, Conor Cooney is their main man in attack, while Shane Morgan, Kevin Cooney and Captain Conor Whelan are quality performers.
Cork have given game time to a lot of players to date, some owing to injuries and others to see if they meet the required standard and as a consequence picking the team has got that bit harder.
Ciaran Joyce, Mark Coleman, Seamus Harnedy and Alan Connolly have been limited in their appearances and all four started last July’s All-Ireland Final.
Of the team that featured in Ennis, Brion Saunderson did little wrong, Brian Roche was excellent as was Ethan Twomey.
The 15 named for Saturday will be watched with interest. Robert Downey made a successful return after his injury, Niall O’Leary has been a model of consistency, Declan Dalton’s been very good and Brian Hayes ripped the Clare defence apart.
Cork have a good record against Galway in the league in recent years and it is one I expect they will maintain on Saturday night to set up a final with Tipperary, which I understand could also be in the ‘Park.
The match is live on C103.
Allianz NFL Division 2
Cork v Cavan on Sunday in Kingspan Breffni at 1.30pm
Not for the 1st time in the last few years, Cork go into their last game in the league with their fate uncertain but at least in their own hands.
The defeat in Newry is certainly coming back to haunt them as a win that afternoon would have changed the dynamics of their campaign. Instead of fretting about possible relegation, they would be heading north on 8 points and in with a shout of promotion.
At least they are going there on the back of a win, and it would take a funny sequence of results to see them relegated, but given the way the season has gone, could it happen?
Manager John Cleary said they were fully aware of the consequences of losing to Louth last Sunday. “Delighted with the response and of course the result; we were very down after the Roscommon game, but in fairness the lads worked hard on the training camp and it showed today.”
The conversion rate also pleased John: “Excellent - we only had 5 wides and scoring 23 points is way better than the last day.”
John is well aware that another tough test awaits. “I have said it all along there’s no easy games in this division and you saw the results today, and now Cavan are in with a shout of promotion so we know what to expect.”
Goal scorer Colm O’Callaghan expressed similar views. “It was good to win today and the manner of it was pleasing especially after the last two games. We know we are better than what we showed and now we get back to training and go again.”
Cavan’s win over Roscommon has tightened the race at the top and with the certainty of a big home following, they will be expecting to make that count.
The Ulster side trailed by 4 points early in the 2nd half, not a big lead now under the new rules, but they stuck at it and got what has proved to be a vital win for Raymond Galligan’s men.
Dara McVeety, Sean McEvoy, Barry Donnelly, Gearoid McKiernan and Cormac O’Reilly impressed in that and they will look to these players again on Sunday.
The starting 15 for Cork will be interesting; Micheál Aodh Martin was assured in goal, while defensively Sean Brady and Neil Lordan showed the benefits of recent outings while Rory Maguire was excellent.
Colm O’Callaghan and Ian Maguire were really dominant in midfield and that set the platform for the win with Mark Cronin, Brian Hurley and Chris Óg Jones all benefiting.
This is not going to be an easy game to win, and a draw might be good enough for Cork to survive. They will be keeping an eye on Louth v Meath and Monaghan v Down games which could also dictate the final outcome of a very competitive group.
Full commentary on C103 from 1.30pm.
Very Ireland Camogie Division 1A
Cork v Tipperary at The Ragg on Saturday at 2pm
“Played well after a slow start but we had a tough few training sessions this week and that might account for our slow start, but we knew Kilkenny would come at us, and delighted with the win.”
The words of manager Ger Manley after making it 3 from 3 in the league.
Tipperary are next on Saturday: “Yeah a good team, league champions and on a very tight pitch up there, but we will prepare as we always do and see how it goes. Actually the girls are having a bit of night out tonight, so they can relax and that’s only right as well.”
Ger is pleased with where they are. “You have to be and today now Meabh (Cahalane) looked sharp so the depth in the squad is showing.”
At the outset of the league, Ger made it known they wanted to win it as it has been awhile and that objective has not changed. “We like to win every time we go out, sometimes it doesn’t work that way but our approach will not alter.”
Tipperary are the reigning league champions and having surprisingly only drawn with Dublin in their opening game, they have recovered and were impressive in beating Galway away from home in the last round.
As champions Tipperary will be determined to keep their bid to retain the title on track as a defeat would put that in jeopardy and they showed their resolve by the manner in which they beat Galway.
Grace O’Brien top scored with 1-10, 0-9 from frees, Clodagh McIntyre bagged the 2nd goal, while Jean Kelly, Clodagh Quirke, Niamh Treacy and Mairead Eviston all impressed in that win.
Cork are building nicely and having lost to Tipp last year which ultimately cost them a place in the final, they will be keen to reverse that result.
There’s plenty of experience in the side with Amy Lee, Laura Tracey, Hannah Looney, Ashling Thompson, Laura Hayes and Saoirse McCarthy. A tough test awaits but one they should overcome.
Lidl Ireland Ladies Football Division 2
Cork v Clare on Sunday in Naomh Abán, Ballyvourney at 2pm
It’s set to be a historic afternoon in the heart of the Gaeltacht as a first ever, I think, senior inter-county ladies football league game takes place at this splendid and well appointed venue - a credit to the Naomh Abán club.
It could also be marked by Cork returning to the top tier of ladies football if as they are expected to do, they win this game.
In his first few months as manager, Joe Carroll must be thrilled at the way the players have responded to last season’s relegation.
Just one narrow defeat to Galway has seen them on the cusp of a return to Division 1.
If they win on Sunday they will achieve that with a game to spare; a long haul to Donegal, and the added bonus of a place in the final in Croke Park on 12 April.
The team has played very well in all their games to date and with the likes of Katie Quirke, Emma Cleary - scorer of 2 goals last time out against Roscommon, Erika O’Shea, Aimee Corcoran, Maire O’Callaghan, Abigail Ring and Mellissa Duggan are playing with a confidence that comes from winning.
Clare have 4 points in the league and are in a battle along with Roscommon on 4 points and Westmeath with 1 point to avoid relegation and will endeavour to make life difficult for Cork.
Grainne Harvey, Joanna Doolan, Roisin Martin, Megan Downes and Ailish Considine are key players for the visitors but with a lot at stake, it’s hard to see Cork losing.
Ger Fitzgerald RIP
Ger’s passing after a long illness that he battled with all the courage and resilience he showed when playing with Cork and Midleton has evoked great sadness throughout the county and beyond.
His medal haul with club and county is well documented and after retiring, he immersed in the coaching side with Cork and of course was manager when his beloved Magpies were crowned county champions in 2021.
Away from hurling, Ger was just a pure gentleman, a pleasure to meet and chat with and always in good form, and so helpful to media after games regardless of results.
Sincere sympathy to his family, friends, his playing colleagues in Midleton and Cork, he leaves us with wonderful memories that will last forever.
Rest in peace Ger, taken too soon.