MATTHEW HURLEY previews another busy weekend of championship action
Ilen Rovers v Ballinora,
IAFC final, Sunday (Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1.30pm)
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Ilen Rovers are back in an adult county final for the first time since 2007 and they head into this decider unbeaten. Ballinora will provide stiff opposition but Flor O’Driscoll’s men have impressed in this campaign, unbeaten so far. Dan MacEoin, Adrian O’Driscoll and Micheál Sheehy will be key to Rovers’ hopes of success, but Ballinora have some decent operators such as Neil Lordan, Robert Quirke and Kevin Werner in their corner. The Baltimore club haven’t won a county championship since their intermediate win in 2003 – can they bring another title back to West Cork?
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Uibh Laoire v Aghabullogue,
PIFC final, Sunday (Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3.30pm)
An intriguing battle between two clubs in Mid Cork, Uibh Laoire and Aghabullogue have won all their championship games so far and are worthy finalists. With an average winning margin of 12 points, Uibh Laoire have been flying it with Chris Óg Jones hitting 6-25. Aghabullogue have been less convincing in their run to the decider but having been in the final of this grade last year, they have the knowhow. Luke Casey will be key for Ray Keane’s side, having scored 6-12 from play so far.
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Ibane Gaels v Kinsale,
U21A FC semi-final, Sunday (Ballinspittle, 2pm)
The Timoleague/Barryroe amalgamation beat Mallow 2-13 to 1-10 in last weekend’s quarter-final to seal a place against Carrigdhoun champions Kinsale. Olan O’Donovan, Luke Murphy and Donagh Flynn are crucial cogs in the Ibane machine – O’Donovan and Murphy hit 1-10 between them in their quarter-final victory. Kinsale went straight through to the county semi after beating Carrigaline in their divisional decider, 2-18 to 1-12. Noah Ryan, James Murphy and Gearoid Kearney will all be players for Ibane to watch.
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St Colum’s v St Nick’s,
U21B FC quarter-final, Sunday (Ballinacarriga, 2pm)
Kealkill club St Colum’s open their county U21 championship against city boys St Nick’s. Colum’s won the Carbery championship, beating Ahán Gaels 2-9 to 0-7 in the divisional final. In that game, Robert Cronin was exceptional in the middle of the park, winning the man-of-the-match award. DJ O’Brien also hit 0-4 in that encounter. Nick’s beat Glanmire 2-16 to 1-14 in the Seandún final with Eoin O’Leary and Ben Heffernan goaling. Two of those players played in the club’s recent county premier junior final loss to Buttevant too so will need serious minding.
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Ballinascarthy v Kilshannig,
JAHC quarter-final, Saturday (Coachford, 2.30pm)
After winning their fourth Carbery JAHC in seven years, Ballinascarthy are in county championship action against Avondhu champions Kilshannig. The last time these two sides met, Kilshannig won the junior A semi-final 0-15 to 1-9 in 2022. In fact, Bal have only won one of their four county championship games since 2019 so the south-west champions will want to improve that record. This hasn’t been a happy championship for Carbery clubs either – only Barryroe (2007) has won the county since the turn of the millennium. Can Bal change the record books?
Kilmacabea's Eammon Shanahan. (Photo: Paddy Feen)
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Kilmacabea v Carraig na bhFear,
JAFC quarter-final, Saturday (Newcestown, 2.30pm)
Just six days after winning the Mick McCarthy Cup, Kilmacabea are in county championship action against Imokilly champions Carraig na bhFear, who themselves are celebrating a first divisional crown in 50 years. The East Cork club beat Erin’s Own 3-12 to 1-8 on bank holiday Monday. Kilmacs lost in this competition to eventual champions Inniscarra last year and will want to right those wrongs. Captain Ian Jennings was in sensational form against St Mary’s and will hope to repeat his scoring burst. Damien Gore is a big threat for the Leap club too, as if anyone needs reminding.
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Glengarriff v Doneraile,
JBFC quarter-final, Saturday (Kilmurry, 2.30pm)
Beara champions Glengarriff are hoping to make a mark on the junior B county championship after their divisional win. They saw off Garnish 1-9 to 1-8 in their home patch and their reward is a tie against Avondhu side Doneraile. Glen competed in the county confined junior B championship earlier this year but fell in the quarter-final against Ballyphehane 5-11 to 0-10. They will hope for a better result in this championship.
Michael O'Driscoll, Head of Retail Bandon Co-op, with Carbery GAA Chairman David Whyte, presents the Liam Nolan Cup to Dohenys captain Jack McCarthy. (Photo: Paddy Feen)
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Dohenys v Carrigaline,
JBFC quarter-final, Sunday (Clonakilty, 2pm)
The Dohenys second string claimed the Carbery junior B football championship last weekend with an 0-8 to 0-6 win over Newcestown’s seconds. They are back in action this Sunday against Carrigdhoun side Carrigaline’s third team. With Colm O’Shea and Ray Jennings firing in that south-west victory, the Dunmanway club will look for another big display and to get back-to-back wins. Carrigaline beat Belgooly in the south-east final, 3-16 to 1-7.
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Bantry Blues v Dungourney,
JBHC quarter-final, Saturday (Cloughduv, 2.30pm)
Bantry Blues won the Carbery hurling junior B crown by beating Bandon 2-13 to 2-10. Arthur Coakley and Jack McCarthy bagged the goals for Blues as they won the divisional title. They face Imokilly victors Dungourney this weekend, a club that already have a first team in the third tier of Cork hurling so this will be a tough one for Bantry. Dungourney beat Watergrasshill in their divisional final by 2-18 to 0-19.
Bantry Blues' Paddy Cronin is tackled by Bandon's Tony Quinn during the RCM Tarmacadam JBHC final. (Photo: Paddy Feen)
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Valley Rovers v Newmarket,
JBHC quarter-final, Saturday (Whitechurch, 2.30pm)
A quarter-final tie between two second strings here as Valley Rovers are in action against Newmarket. The Innishannon club saw off Tracton in the Carrigdhoun junior B final by 0-19 to 0-17 and will hope to carry their form into the county scene. Newmarket beat Dromtarriffe in the Duhallow decider, 0-21 to 0-7. This should be a tight encounter between two evenly-matched sides.
