Footballers set for opener as hurlers aim for NHL title
It may only be April but what an exciting weekend coming up! The footballers begin their championship on Saturday and then before a full house on Sunday, the hurlers bid for silverware in the Allianz National League Final.
Munster Senior Football Championship
Cork v Limerick at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday at 6pm
“It’s great to be getting ready for championship and going in on the back of two very good and important wins makes it all the better.” That’s football captain Brian Hurley on Saturday’s game.
Limerick have enjoyed a good run of late and getting to and winning the league final will have given them a huge boost - a point made by their manager Jimmy Lee. “We had a poor start to the season but won in London and it kind of took off from there, so we are happy enough where we are now.”
Limerick were very competitive in the corresponding fixture last year: “Cork are two divisions ahead of us, well one now after promotion, and we know it will be a step up but we will give it our best shot and see where it takes us.”
Playing 7 days after a league final in Croke Park is not an issue. “The season is so condensed now you just have to get on with it and that’s what we will do.”
Cork selector Micheál Ó Cróinín is well aware of the threat Limerick possess. “They have been improving with every outing and the win last Saturday will have filled them with confidence.”
That said Micheál is happy where Cork are right now: “We finished the league with 2 good wins when our backs were to the wall, another loss and it was relegation and but for the defeat in Newry we would have been promoted but the lads showed good composure to see out the win in Cavan.”
The injury situation is also improving, “Most of the lads are back in training, a few could be available for Saturday, others nearly there so all that helps.”
On the rules Brian Hurley feels they have changed the game for the better. “It’s more enjoyable to play in and as a forward I am really delighted with them, and it will be interesting to see how they pan out in the championship.”
Injuries limited his participation in the league but he is in good shape now and looking forward to a long summer.
This was always going to be a tricky encounter and with Limerick winning last Saturday their confidence will be high, they are outsiders but the situation is ripe for a surprise.
James Naughton is their main man in attack; Darragh O’Siochrú, Peter Nash and Tommie Childs bagged the goals in HQ while Killian Ryan, Iain Corbett, Paul Maher and Danny Neville are very experienced players in confident form right now.
The starting 15 for John Cleary’s side will be interesting; Micheál Aodh Martin was excellent against Cavan, while in defence Sean Brady, Neill Lordan, Daniel O’Mahony and Rory Maguire excelled.
Ian Maguire and Colm O’Callaghan dominated for the most part in midfield and if they can do so again, it will provide an excellent platform for the likes of Brian Hurley, Brian O’Driscoll - although listed as half-back, he loves going forward, Sean McDonnell and Mark Cronin to trouble the Limerick defence.
The reality is, if Cork are to be considered genuine championship contenders, this is a game they should and probably will win, bearing in mind that Limerick have improved and are on a high this week.
If Cork can get a grip early on and not allow the home side build any momentum, they should progress to a semi-final meeting with Kerry on Easter Saturday night.
Full commentary on C103.
Allianz NHL D1A Final
Cork v Tipperary on Sunday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 4pm
“One of relief that he is okay, won’t play on Sunday but the fact that is not season ending is a huge relief for everyone particularly himself.” So said Cork coach Donal O’Rourke about Brian Hayes speaking at the launch of the Munster Championship last week just 72 hours after the win over Galway.
Donal added: “Obviously the main focus is on 20 April (Clare in Ennis); we are delighted to be in the final, Pat (Ryan) has always insisted in trying to win every game and Sunday will be no different.”
Tipp who come back to the Páirc later in the summer for a championship game, will be tough opposition. “They have shown in the league their intent, like us they only lost once and we were disappointed with our display that night in Thurles when they beat us, but we learned from that game and we are we wanted to be at that start of the league.”
Alan Connolly who has recovered from injury that kept him out until the Galway game where he came on as a 2nd half substitute is really looking forward to Sunday. “It should be a great occasion; the support we are getting right now is incredible and it’s fabulous to be playing a final at home.”
The Blackrock forward makes an interesting point. “As a group we have won nothing yet, okay a few of the lads have Munster Championship medals, but for this particular squad of players, a lot of us have nothing so to win on Sunday would be special.”
The game is not a distraction for the championship. “We know the Championship is the main objective but we take each game as it comes and Sunday is next up and that’s our focus.”
As for missing a few games Alan had this to say, “just a niggle really but the management are very careful not to rush any player back; it was a bit frustrating especially with the competition for places in attack, but that’s the strength in the panel right now, which is great.”
Tipp captain Ronan Maher is looking forward to Sunday.
“Should be a great occasion, full house in one of the best stadiums in the country and it will be very good to experience the atmosphere as we are back there in Championship in a few weeks time.”
The league has been excellent for Tipperary: “Yeah it has we didn’t finish last season well, so Liam (Cahill) stressed the need for a good league and we have got that and now can’t wait for Sunday.”
Tipp like Cork only lost one game and even for their final group match when the rested a few, they dug out a win against Clare, so the confidence would appear to be back in the Premier County.
The likes of Darragh McCarthy, Barry Hogan, Michael Breen, Jake Morris, Seamus Kennedy, Jason Forde and Brian McGrath have impressed for Tipp throughout the league.
For Cork the 15 that Pat Ryan names might give a clear indication of who will start in Ennis in two weeks time.
Patrick Collins will don the number 1 jersey but who will front him? Robert Downey, Niall O’Leary and Sean O’Donoghue look nailed on, after that well take your pick with Eoin Downey, Mark Coleman, Cormac O’Brien, Damien Cahalane and Ger Mellerick all in contention.
It gets interesting from here up, Tim O’Mahoney and Darragh Fitzgibbon in midfield, while in attack apart from Brian Hayes, the options are plenty.
Cork have not won the league since 1998, too long and playing at home is a huge incentive to end the unwanted record.
Tipp are always hard to beat and will want to lay down a marker for the return visit in the championship.
You just get the feeling though that right now Cork are in a better place and playing on their home patch gives them an advantage. The depth in the squad would suggest that they will win and collect a title. Cork to win.
The match is live on C103.
Dalata Group Munster Under 20 Football Championship
Cork v Kerry on Monday in Tralee at 7.30pm
As expected, Both sides got phase 2 of the Championship off to the best possible start with wins away from home on Tuesday.
In difficult conditions Cork were very impressive in beating Clare in Quilty particularly against the very strong wind in the 2nd half.
Billy Curtin, Colin Molloy, Sean O’Leary, Darragh Clifford, Dara Sheedy, Brian Hayes and Dylan O’Neill were excellent and it sets it up nicely for a meeting with the rivals from across the county bounds.
Obviously Kerry will provide a much sterner test especially in Tralee, but Cork will travel there in upbeat mood after their win.
WIn or lose, the expectation is that they will ultimately meet again in the final such is the structure of this championship, so it might be time to lay down a marker for the next day.
Big day for Sars
Riverstown is set for a poignant afternoon on Saturday with the unveiling of a statue of the late and great Teddy McCarthy, and the renaming of the grounds in his memory.
There will also be the unveiling of a plaque of the Liam McCarthy and Sam Maguire Cups to commemorate his achievement of winning the historic double in 1990.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, along with former GAA president Christy Cooney, the Lord Mayor and a host of guest including County Board and Munster Council officials will be in attendance as will many of his former teammates to honour a man taken too soon.
The project has been ongoing since shortly after his passing spearheaded by his great friend Barry Myres, we wish everyone involved all the best and we know it will be a great occasion.
As for Teddy, what would he say - ‘what’s all the fuss about’?