Crunch time in hurling championships
In what should have been a weekend dominated by the Co-Op Superstores County Hurling Championship, the dreadful weather of last weekend, and the prompt action by Cork County Board, has now thrown the football QFs back into the mix.
Premier Senior semi-finals on Sunday in Super Valu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Imokilly v Blackrock at 2pm
The last time these sides met was also at the semi-final stage and after a dramatic encounter, the ‘Rockies prevailed after a penalty shoot out.
In a strange way, the weather last weekend will have helped Imokilly as games that involved several of their players from Watergrasshill, Lisgoold and Russell Rovers have now been deferred.
After their win over Fr O’Neill’s, manager Denis Ring said Imokilly would need to show further improvement if they are to win. A few of their players will be in club action ahead of this game but it’s a position they are used to and well able to cope.
Blackrock manager Jamie Harrington was thrilled with their win over Kanturk and said they were coming into form at the right time and their injury situation was easing.
The depth Imokilly possess will again be tested and there is a slight concern about the fitness of Bill Cooper, but they have plenty of options: Ciaran Joyce, Sean Desmond, Timmy Wilk, Daire O’Leary, Diarmuid Healy and Seamus Harnedy.
The ‘Rockies have shown improvement with every game and they also have the capacity to get goals, with Alan Connolly in good form and excellent support from the Cashmans, David O’Farrell, Fionn Coleman, Tadgh Deasy and Stephen Murphy.
Imokilly will start as favourites, but a fancy for Blackrock to edge this one.
Midleton v Sarsfields at 3.45pm
A repeat of last year’s decider in which Sars won and they have shown the mark of champions so far this season. Okay the group might not have been the most taxing, but the manner in which they eased into the semi-final shows a resolve that they are determined to keep a tight grip on the Sean Óg Murphy Cup.
Similarly Midleton have impressed they put a few off the field issues behind them and when the need was greatest in the QF with Newtownshandrum, they did what they had to do and won with a bit to spare.
Conor Lehane has been in excellent form for them and his scoring return per game is highly impressive and the champions will need to keep him quiet, and at the same time not concede frees if they are to win.
Of course it’s not a one man show - Sam Quirke, Tommy O’Connell, the Smyths, Luke O’Farrell, Brion Saunderson and Ross O’Regan have all played their part in the Magpies’ march to the last four.
What of Sars? There is a view that the direct route can at times be a drawback and the month’s break might not help; on the plus side you can get a good block of work in while it also give any little niggles time to recover.
The champions also welcome a few players back into the fold and would appear to have plenty of options.
Conor O’Sullivan, Jack O’Connor, Aaron Myers, James O’Leary, Daniel Hogan, Paul Leopold and James Sweeney have all impressed to date and they will enter this one in confident mood.
Both sides have been good all season and local derbies take on a life of their own, but a nod to the champions to win.
Senior A semi-finals on Saturday in Super Valu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Glen Rovers v Castlelyons at 5.45pm
When Glen were relegated last season, the general view was that they would bounce back straight away and of course that is their desire, but from here on in, there is no room for error.
They safely negotiated the group stages without breaking sweat and without Patrick Horgan, who is expected to play in this game.
Will the lack of a tough test be a concern, but the players and management are experienced enough to handle this.
By contrast Castleyons who contested an All-Ireland Final back in January have shown their mettle by coming out the right side of a few testing encounters.
None more so then the semi-final win over Na Piarsaigh, where they looked beaten a few times but battled on to win a dramatic penalty shoot out - they will be battle hardened for this one.
Alan Fenton is their scorer in chief while Sean O’Leary, David Morrisson, Colm and Anthony Spillane, Keith O’Leary and excellent goalkeeper Jack Barry will relish the opportunity to end another northside club’s championship ambitions.
Glen while untested to date, know enough about championship hurling to be fully focussed for this clash. Robert and Eoin Downey, Brian Moylan, Dean Brosnan, Eoghan Varian, Simon Kennefick and Eoin O’Leary have played important roles in shortening the route to what they hope will be a quick return to the top grade.
They have been scoring freely, the East Cork side likewise, so a lively hour in store. Glen are fancied to win and with Patrick Horgan on board, they should.
Blarney v Bride Rovers at 7.30pm
Their clashes were the most talked about matches last season and when the possibility they would meet again arose, the events of the 2023 clashes resurfaced.
Blarney manager Michael Barrett after their win over Killeagh just said: “I know both teams will just concentrate on the hurling and let everything else take care of itself”. I’m sure his counterpart in Bride Rovers Brian Murphy will express the same sentiments.
While that may very well be the case, it is sure to be mentioned especially by Bride given the manner in which events unfolded.
During the initial match which Bride Rovers won on penalties, they were found to have had 16 men on the field so a replay was awarded, which Blarney won. They were two cracking games and this one should be the same.
Quality players on both side and Blarney have a trio of Cork stars anchoring their challenge, but they will be concerned at the concession of some soft goals recently.
Bride went direct to the semi-final and like Glen Rovers, they did so comfortably, is that a concern?
There might be an extra edge to this one, and then again there might not be, but it’s a very hard one to call, it might even take extra-time to resolve, but a hesitant nod to Blarney.
There will be full commentary on all 4 semi-finals on C103.
Premier Intermediate semi-final Saturday 4pm
Carrigaline v Ballincollig in Ballygarvan
Hectic and indeed exciting times for Carrigaline who have semi-finals in both codes with a healthy crossover of players and it’s doing them no harm.
It should be remembered that they won both their hurling and football leagues and their win over Ballinhassig in the QF was an indication that they are moving in the right direction.
Ballincollig took the direct route to this stage and Tadgh O’Connell, Brian Keating, Sean O’Neill, Pearse Morris, James Dwyer and James Linehan have been instrumental in their unbeaten run to this stage.
In dismissing Ballinhassig, they racked up an impressive 1-26, with Brian Kelleher notching 0-10. David Drake, David Griffin, Eanna Desmond and Kevin Kavanagh were key players in that win, and with momentum on their side, they might just carry that into this game and with it a place in the final.
Elsewhere
There are 2 other semi-finals in Intermediate A; Cobh is the venue on Saturday at 4pm for the all-East Cork clash of Midleton and Erin’s Own with the latter favoured to progress.
In Premier Junior, St Catherine’s will be fancied to get the better of Ballygarvan when they meet in Páirc Uí Rinn on Friday at 7.30pm.
Huge game in Glantane on Saturday at 4pm. It’s the Premier Intermediate relegation replay between Kilworth and Aghabullogue, they could not even be separated after extra-time last time and it could be as tight again.
McCarthy Insurance Group Football championships
The 4 games that were cancelled last weekend go ahead. On Sunday in Premier Senior QFs, it's Nemo Rangers v Clonakilty in Bandon at 3.30pm. The Muskerry v Mallow game is now in Kanturk at 4pm.
On Saturday at 4pm in Intermediate, Kilmurry is the venue for the meeting of Mitchelstown and Gabriel Rangers, while the Premier Senior relegation play-off with Éire Óg v Carbery Rangers is on in Enniskeane.
Ladies Football
The Senior A semi-finals are also rescheduled. Both are on Sunday at 3pm, Aghada v Glanmire in Rostellan, while St Vals will have home advantage for their meeting with Éire Óg.
In Senior B, Mourneabbey host Kinsale on Friday at 8pm, while the all-West Cork meeting of Clonakilty v Castlehaven is on Wednesday in Clonakilty at 7.30pm.
SE Systems Senior Camogie
The 2nd semi-final goes ahead tonight (Thursday) in Páirc Uí Rinn at 8pm featuring champions Sarsfields v Glen Rovers. St Finbarr’s await the winners in the final.
Rebel Óg Minor Hurling Finals
A very attractive double-header in Páirc Uí Rinn on Monday night. In the Premier 2 Final at 6.30pm, it’s St Finbarr’s v Shandrum and then at 8pm it’s the Premier 1 Final champions Glen Rovers v Sarsfields.