MATTHEW HURLEY looks at what West Cork teams need in the final round of football round-robin games

PREMIER SENIOR

Sunday, September 13th, at 4pm

In Group 3, Castlehaven and Clonakilty are in the top two places right now following their draw, but Knocknagree are still in contention to qualify for the knockout stages.

Clon face bottom-of-the-table Ballincollig in Kilmurry and a draw would be enough for Martin O’Brien’s team to advance. Even a defeat for the Brewery Town club would most likely see them through. “The only way they would miss out is if Knocknagree beat Castlehaven by one and Clon lose by seven. Important to note Ballincollig cannot qualify for the quarter-finals.

For Seanie Cahalane’s Haven, they know a win or a draw would seal their progression but a loss would most likely send them out of the championship. Knocknagree must win to stay alive.

Group 2 has Newcestown in a strong position to qualify, despite their defeat to Valley Rovers. Jim O’Sullivan’s charges know a win over St Michael’s in Riverstick would clinch their passage to the knockout stage. Valley Rovers would seal top spot by avoiding defeat to Nemo Rangers in Ballyanley. If Newcestown win, Nemo have to beat Valleys to stay in the championship.

***

SENIOR A

Sunday, September 13th, at 2pm

Unlike premier senior, the permutations for the Carbery clubs in senior A are much more straightforward.

In Group 2, Carbery Rangers need to beat Newmarket in Carrigadrohid to progress. Anything less and they will need to better Cill na Martra’s result against O’Donovan Rossa in Enniskeane. Newmarket only need a draw to progress.

Rossas have a slim chance of making it to the top two but their priority will be to avoid a second successive relegation play-off. A win for Skibb, coupled with Carbery Rangers avoiding defeat, would mean they survive.

In Group 3, a win for Dohenys over Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh in Kilmichael would be enough to progress. A draw means they need Kanturk to avoid defeat to Aghabullogue while a loss spells elimination for Niall Hurley’s team.

***

PREMIER INTERMEDIATE

Saturday, September 12th, at 5pm

Castletownbere need a lot to go their way in order to record a top-two finish in Group 3. First off, they need to beat Aghada in Rossmore. Then, they need Kiskeam to beat Macroom. Finally, they need a 14-point swing in scoring difference to overhaul Macroom for second place. However, a draw between Macroom and Kiskeam in Kanturk would mean both progress, regardless of Castletown’s result.

Bantry Blues are out of championship contention in Group 1 but their game against Glanmire in Clonakilty is effectively a relegation semi-final. The Blues have to win to avoid the play-off match. Any other result and they are in the relegation battle.

***

INTERMEDIATE A

Saturday, September 12th at 3pm

Adrigole are confirmed as Group 3 winners following their narrow victory over Boherbue. To progress straight through to the semi-finals, Tim O’Sullivan’s side need to better Kilmurry’s result in Group 1. Adrigole face Kildorrery in Brinny. Kilmurry v Glanworth is in Ballyanley.

Also in Group 3, if Bandon beat Boherbue in Ballingeary, the Lilywhites progress provided Adrigole avoids defeat to Kildorrery.

In Group 1, Ilen Rovers are in a straight shoot-out against Buttevant in Carrigadrohid. Given their scoring difference, Ilen have to win to make it into the quarter-finals. Anything less and it’s an early exit.

In Group 2, Gabriel Rangers have a small chance of qualifying. They have to beat St Finbarr’s second team in Ballinacarriga and hope Mitchelstown beat Dromtarriffe elsewhere. There has to be an 11-point swing in those two matches as well. The Ballydehob and Schull club have to win by three points to avoid a relegation play-off too.

***

PREMIER JUNIOR

Friday, September 11th, at 7.30pm

For Kilmacabea in Group 3, it is pretty straightforward – a win or a draw against St Nick’s in Macroom mean they advance to the knockout stage. A loss will lead to an exit the championship. To be sure of top spot, they need to win by six points more than Canovee do against Na Piarsaigh.

In Group 2, Urhan are in the midst of a relegation battle but a place in the knockout stage is also a realistic target. If the Beara club beat Cobh in Dunmanway by four points, they advance. A draw or a loss, and they are looking over their shoulder at a relegation play-off but defeat for Na Piarsaigh and St Vincent’s (both on zero points) would mean Urhan avoid the demotion match regardless of what happens against Cobh.