Race to Croke Park underway

The Cork and Kerry and Cork and Clare huge championship games this weekend str a clear indication that it may only be April but from here on in the race to Croke Park in July is well underway.

Munster semi-final

Cork v Kerry on Saturday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 7pm

Reflecting on the win over Limerick in the quarter final, Manager John Cleary was pleased with the overall display: “Absolutely, it was very much a case of getting the job done and move on to Kerry which as we all know is another step up in quality.”

John agreed the sending off changed the game: “It did, Limerick had come back into the game but struggled after that and under the new rules it’s hard to defend when you are a man down.”

The two point return from a number of players was also pleasing: “Certainly eased the pressure a bit and it’s good to see players having the confidence to take the shot on.”

Injuries have really affected the squad during the league and John offered this update: “Luke (Fahy) is one that will not be available for Saturday night the rest are making good progress and we will access it as the week goes on make a call then.”

Illness forced Rory Maguire off against Limerick, but the Castlehaven expects to be fit for Saturday. John was also full of praise championship debutants Neil Lordan and Sean Brady against Limerick: “Both lads did very well they were thrown in at the deep end early in the league but all credit that have come on leaps and bounds and have played very well as the league progressed.”

That league final win over Mayo was done with ease: “Comfortable all through anytime they appeared to be in trouble they quickly moved through the gears and won with plenty to spare.”

In recent years when the sides have met, while Kerry have always won, Cork have been in contention but unable to get over the line.

“We have gone toe to toe with them even in Killarney last year it was close going into the last quarter maybe that bit more experience of playing in Division 1 and extended championship runs helped them.”

John is well aware of the enormity of the task facing his side: “We are under no illusions as what we are up against. They are a really quality side, one of the favourites for the All-Ireland and we will need to be at our very best to win.”

Staying in the game and hopefully with good support from the home crowd is important: “Very much so, we cannot allow Kerry to build any sort of momentum we need to go at them from the start stick to our game plan and see where that takes us.”

John saw at first hand the support the hurlers are getting and would love to see some of that on Saturday.

“It’s brilliant to see and also last year when we beat Donegal and to have that would be brilliant,” he said.

Kerry has strength and quality all over the field even if Diarmuid O’Connor is ruled out but Sean O’Shea could be in contention and manager Jack O’Connor is not taking Cork for granted.

He said: “We never do especially well in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. I have lost many a times to Cork and it was only a few years ago they beat is up there, they were getting better as the league went on could have got promoted some of their more experienced players are back and it’s going to take a big performance from us to get the win.”

Cork will need huge games from their key players if they are to upset the odds, Miceal Aodh Martin, Daniel O’Mahoney, Colam O’Callaghan, Ian Maguire, Brian O’Driscoll and Brian Hurkey among them.

Kerry are hot favourites and with justification but Cork always raise their game when the ‘green and gold’ arrive in town expect the same on Saturday.

Can Cork contain the Clifford’s and Geaney in attack? If they can and that’s a tall order, they could win. If they can’t it could very well be a long night on Leeside.

The match is live on C103.

Munster Senior Hurling Champioship

Cork v Clare in Cusack Park Ennis on Sunday at 2pm

“That was probably the most disappointing second half performance since I got involved.”

That was Cork manager Pat Ryan speaking after Cork had ended their long wait for a National League title with a comfortable win over Tipperary.

“Of course we are delighted to win but when we go to Ennis in two weeks time that won’t do,” he said.

Heading to the home of the All-Ireland champions is always a tough ask: “We haven’t won in championship there since the introduction of the round-robin and they are a very good team who will certainly give us a warm welcome.”

It’s now a case of recovery, review and prepare. The minefield that is the Munster championship is not lost on Pat: “We have seen over the years anything can happen win your two home games would get you through, but it’s so tight picking up something on the road is also a huge help, I have said we go out to win every game and that is our aim.”

It is a measure of the ambition in the group that despite winning the league final by 10 points there is disappointment, sentiments also echoed by captain Robert Downey: “Obviously we are thrilled to win, but annoyed that we let our standards drop in the second half. We need to deliver a consistent 70 minutes in every game.”

Robert also said the recent league meeting between the teams in Ennis, where Cork plundered six goals, will count for very little.

Clare were poor in the league and the loss of Shane O’Donnell is huge, but they do possess real quality all over the field, just to name a few Tony Kelly, Peter Duggan proved a handful in the league game until his red-card, Mark Rodgers, David Fitzgerald, Aidan O’Connell, Diarmuid Rya, Eibhear Qulligan Adam Hogan and John Conlon.

Very good and experienced players there. Cork will unlikely alter much from the league final.

Patrick Collins in goal did not get a shot to save such was the dominance of those in front of him, the Downey’s Eoin and Robert, Niall O’Leary, Sean O’Donoghue, Ciaran Joyce and it would appear Cormac O’Brien has done enough to keep Mark Coleman on the bench.

Ethan Twomey and Tim O’Mahony are developing into a formidable midfield duo. What of the attack hitting goals for fun, but can they maintain it?

Shane Barrett, Darragh Fitzgibbon revelling in the number 11 jersey, Patrick Horgan, Brian Hayes and Alan Connolly all in top form.

Now, who will get the last spot? Diarmuid Healy, Declan Dalton or will they start Seamus Harnedy for his experience and knowhow and keep the others in reserve.

Whatever 15 starts they should be content in the knowledge there is now real depth in the squad.

It is always said the first game could shape your season win and you are up and running and in Cork’s case a home game a week later, lose and the pressure mounts.

Clare are a formidable opposition in Ennis, but Cork are going there in confident mood, confident in their own ability to get the job done.

It will not be easy, but you just feel Cork have timed their season to perfection and while the league win a few weeks might seem irrelevant, the fact the Cork won there will help.

Champions die hard especially on home soil, but a nod for a Cork win.

Live commentary on C103.

O’Neills.Com Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship

Cork v Limerick in Rathkeale on Wednesday at 7pm

A huge game for Cork in terms of making the top three and it comes on the back of a heavy defeat to Tipperary having got a credible draw in the opening round against Clare.

Limerick are on 3 points, Cork and Waterford who Cork play in the last round on 1 point each so needless to say this is a must win game for the young rebels.

In their games to date Limerick beat Tipperary, which was a surprise and then only drew with Waterford, which was also a surprise but playing at home gives them an advantage.

Mark O’Brien, Hugh Flanagan, Fintan Fitzgerald, Aidan O’Connell and Robert O’Farrell are big players for them.

Cork were very disappointed with the display against Tipperary and never really recovered from conceding 1-4 in the opening five minutes and were chasing the game thereafter.

Injuries to key players have not helped and hopefully that will have eased ahead of this game.

To their credit, they kept battling away in the last game. Barry Walsh, Barry O’Flynn and Mark O’Brien got good scores while John Wigginton Barrett and Ben Walsh also played well.

A win would keep them in contention and with an improved display they might just get that.

Camogie

Two games this weekend on Sunday as curtain-raiser to the hurling game in Ennis. Cork, Fresh from their impressive league title win over Galway, play Clare in the Munster Senior Championship semi-final at 11.45am. It’s a game Cork should win with a bit to spare ideal preparation for their training camp in Portugal which they head off to on Monday.

While on Monday Kilmallock is the venue for the Munster Under 23 C’ship Final Cork versus Tipperary at 1pm. This is the first year of this championship and it would be nice to claim the title.

Cork only narrowly got over Clare in the semi-final while Tipperary were easy winners over Waterford in their semi-final which should make for a lively hour.

John Mullins RIP

I was so sad to hear of John’s passing. He was a real gent and a passionate Cork GAA supporter and a tireless worker for the Castlemarytr club. He was present and savoured the league win in Páirc Uí Chaoimh a couple of weeks ago and was in great form.

Sincere sympathy to his family at this sad time. May he rest in peace.