County SFC champions Ballincollig take on Castlehaven in a huge quarter-final in Dunmanway on Saturday evening
BY GER McCARTHY
SATURDAY evening’s Ballincollig versus Castlehaven county senior football championship quarter-final pits the 2014 and 2013 champions against one another in the most eagerly-anticipated fixture of the summer.
Consecutive victories over Clyda Rovers and St Finbarr’s has the Haven within touching distance of the semi-finals but the Union Hall club is aware their toughest challenge since bowing out of last year’s championship awaits in Dunmanway this Saturday (throw-in, 7pm).
Brian Hurley’s return from suspension means the West Cork club will have their strongest attacking line-up available for selection and Castlehaven will need their Cork inter-county star firing on all cylinders against Ballincollig.
‘Training has gone alright since the St Finbarr’s game, we are injury-free and have no complaints ahead of facing Ballincollig,’ Castlehaven goalkeeper Paudie Hurley said.
‘The Barr’s game was excellent preparation for this weekend’s clash as they are always tough opposition and we were just happy to get over them. We had something like a three and a half-month break since the first round so it was understandable that fellas might have been a bit rusty coming into it. You can play all the challenge games you like but they can’t match the intensity of the championship.’
Brian Hurley’s timely return from suspension will enhance Castlehaven’s chances and is a player Paudie Hurley believes capable of turning the game in his team’s favour.
‘It is great having Brian back as he is amongst the best forwards in the country,’ said Hurley.
‘We are looking forward to having him back in the starting line-up even though it was good for the team to get over the Barr’s without Brian’s presence two weeks ago.
‘Ballincollig are the county champions so you have to look forward to taking them on. The two years before, we were the champions and everyone wanted a cut off of us so it is going to be a big test for us but hopefully we can come out the right side.’
For their part, Ballincollig have been solid rather than spectacular in their two championship outings since defeating Carbery Rangers in last year’s final.
St Finbarr’s were dispatched in the opening round but Ballincollig were made to battle hard before knocking out Valley Rovers at the end of August.
Ballincollig manager Michael O’Brien said: ‘We have enjoyed a good build-up to the game even though it was disappointing to see the lads bow out of the (intermediate) hurling recently.
‘It has been all football since then and training has gone really well. The one good thing from a coaching perspective is that we had about 11 dual-players involved in both codes and they have been playing matches of championship intensity in the build-up to this weekend.
‘Unfortunately, Ciarán O’Sullivan broke his left hand playing hurling the last day but other than that we can report a clean bill of health.
‘We are fully tuned in and ready to go. There is no doubt that Castlehaven have been superb over the past number of years, beginning with 2012 and 2013 successes and is a club with a rich pedigree. They have as strong a team that you will see anywhere in the country so we know the challenge that faces us.’
BY GER McCARTHY
SATURDAY evening’s Ballincollig versus Castlehaven county senior football championship quarter-final pits the 2014 and 2013 champions against one another in the most eagerly-anticipated fixture of the summer.
Consecutive victories over Clyda Rovers and St Finbarr’s has the Haven within touching distance of the semi-finals but the Union Hall club is aware their toughest challenge since bowing out of last year’s championship awaits in Dunmanway this Saturday (throw-in, 7pm).
Brian Hurley’s return from suspension means the West Cork club will have their strongest attacking line-up available for selection and Castlehaven will need their Cork inter-county star firing on all cylinders against Ballincollig.
‘Training has gone alright since the St Finbarr’s game, we are injury-free and have no complaints ahead of facing Ballincollig,’ Castlehaven goalkeeper Paudie Hurley said.
‘The Barr’s game was excellent preparation for this weekend’s clash as they are always tough opposition and we were just happy to get over them. We had something like a three and a half-month break since the first round so it was understandable that fellas might have been a bit rusty coming into it. You can play all the challenge games you like but they can’t match the intensity of the championship.’
Brian Hurley’s timely return from suspension will enhance Castlehaven’s chances and is a player Paudie Hurley believes capable of turning the game in his team’s favour.
‘It is great having Brian back as he is amongst the best forwards in the country,’ said Hurley.
‘We are looking forward to having him back in the starting line-up even though it was good for the team to get over the Barr’s without Brian’s presence two weeks ago.
‘Ballincollig are the county champions so you have to look forward to taking them on. The two years before, we were the champions and everyone wanted a cut off of us so it is going to be a big test for us but hopefully we can come out the right side.’
For their part, Ballincollig have been solid rather than spectacular in their two championship outings since defeating Carbery Rangers in last year’s final.
St Finbarr’s were dispatched in the opening round but Ballincollig were made to battle hard before knocking out Valley Rovers at the end of August.
Ballincollig manager Michael O’Brien said: ‘We have enjoyed a good build-up to the game even though it was disappointing to see the lads bow out of the (intermediate) hurling recently.
‘It has been all football since then and training has gone really well. The one good thing from a coaching perspective is that we had about 11 dual-players involved in both codes and they have been playing matches of championship intensity in the build-up to this weekend.
‘Unfortunately, Ciarán O’Sullivan broke his left hand playing hurling the last day but other than that we can report a clean bill of health.
‘We are fully tuned in and ready to go. There is no doubt that Castlehaven have been superb over the past number of years, beginning with 2012 and 2013 successes and is a club with a rich pedigree. They have as strong a team that you will see anywhere in the country so we know the challenge that faces us.’
BY GER McCARTHY
SATURDAY evening’s Ballincollig versus Castlehaven county senior football championship quarter-final pits the 2014 and 2013 champions against one another in the most eagerly-anticipated fixture of the summer.
Consecutive victories over Clyda Rovers and St Finbarr’s has the Haven within touching distance of the semi-finals but the Union Hall club is aware their toughest challenge since bowing out of last year’s championship awaits in Dunmanway this Saturday (throw-in, 7pm).
Brian Hurley’s return from suspension means the West Cork club will have their strongest attacking line-up available for selection and Castlehaven will need their Cork inter-county star firing on all cylinders against Ballincollig.
‘Training has gone alright since the St Finbarr’s game, we are injury-free and have no complaints ahead of facing Ballincollig,’ Castlehaven goalkeeper Paudie Hurley said.
‘The Barr’s game was excellent preparation for this weekend’s clash as they are always tough opposition and we were just happy to get over them. We had something like a three and a half-month break since the first round so it was understandable that fellas might have been a bit rusty coming into it. You can play all the challenge games you like but they can’t match the intensity of the championship.’
Brian Hurley’s timely return from suspension will enhance Castlehaven’s chances and is a player Paudie Hurley believes capable of turning the game in his team’s favour.
‘It is great having Brian back as he is amongst the best forwards in the country,’ said Hurley.
‘We are looking forward to having him back in the starting line-up even though it was good for the team to get over the Barr’s without Brian’s presence two weeks ago.
‘Ballincollig are the county champions so you have to look forward to taking them on. The two years before, we were the champions and everyone wanted a cut off of us so it is going to be a big test for us but hopefully we can come out the right side.’
For their part, Ballincollig have been solid rather than spectacular in their two championship outings since defeating Carbery Rangers in last year’s final.
St Finbarr’s were dispatched in the opening round but Ballincollig were made to battle hard before knocking out Valley Rovers at the end of August.
Ballincollig manager Michael O’Brien said: ‘We have enjoyed a good build-up to the game even though it was disappointing to see the lads bow out of the (intermediate) hurling recently.
‘It has been all football since then and training has gone really well. The one good thing from a coaching perspective is that we had about 11 dual-players involved in both codes and they have been playing matches of championship intensity in the build-up to this weekend.
‘Unfortunately, Ciarán O’Sullivan broke his left hand playing hurling the last day but other than that we can report a clean bill of health.
‘We are fully tuned in and ready to go. There is no doubt that Castlehaven have been superb over the past number of years, beginning with 2012 and 2013 successes and is a club with a rich pedigree. They have as strong a team that you will see anywhere in the country so we know the challenge that faces us.’
BY GER McCARTHY
SATURDAY evening’s Ballincollig versus Castlehaven county senior football championship quarter-final pits the 2014 and 2013 champions against one another in the most eagerly-anticipated fixture of the summer.
Consecutive victories over Clyda Rovers and St Finbarr’s has the Haven within touching distance of the semi-finals but the Union Hall club is aware their toughest challenge since bowing out of last year’s championship awaits in Dunmanway this Saturday (throw-in, 7pm).
Brian Hurley’s return from suspension means the West Cork club will have their strongest attacking line-up available for selection and Castlehaven will need their Cork inter-county star firing on all cylinders against Ballincollig.
‘Training has gone alright since the St Finbarr’s game, we are injury-free and have no complaints ahead of facing Ballincollig,’ Castlehaven goalkeeper Paudie Hurley said.
‘The Barr’s game was excellent preparation for this weekend’s clash as they are always tough opposition and we were just happy to get over them. We had something like a three and a half-month break since the first round so it was understandable that fellas might have been a bit rusty coming into it. You can play all the challenge games you like but they can’t match the intensity of the championship.’
Brian Hurley’s timely return from suspension will enhance Castlehaven’s chances and is a player Paudie Hurley believes capable of turning the game in his team’s favour.
‘It is great having Brian back as he is amongst the best forwards in the country,’ said Hurley.
‘We are looking forward to having him back in the starting line-up even though it was good for the team to get over the Barr’s without Brian’s presence two weeks ago.
‘Ballincollig are the county champions so you have to look forward to taking them on. The two years before, we were the champions and everyone wanted a cut off of us so it is going to be a big test for us but hopefully we can come out the right side.’
For their part, Ballincollig have been solid rather than spectacular in their two championship outings since defeating Carbery Rangers in last year’s final.
St Finbarr’s were dispatched in the opening round but Ballincollig were made to battle hard before knocking out Valley Rovers at the end of August.
Ballincollig manager Michael O’Brien said: ‘We have enjoyed a good build-up to the game even though it was disappointing to see the lads bow out of the (intermediate) hurling recently.
‘It has been all football since then and training has gone really well. The one good thing from a coaching perspective is that we had about 11 dual-players involved in both codes and they have been playing matches of championship intensity in the build-up to this weekend.
‘Unfortunately, Ciarán O’Sullivan broke his left hand playing hurling the last day but other than that we can report a clean bill of health.
‘We are fully tuned in and ready to go. There is no doubt that Castlehaven have been superb over the past number of years, beginning with 2012 and 2013 successes and is a club with a rich pedigree. They have as strong a team that you will see anywhere in the country so we know the challenge that faces us.’
BY GER McCARTHY
SATURDAY evening’s Ballincollig versus Castlehaven county senior football championship quarter-final pits the 2014 and 2013 champions against one another in the most eagerly-anticipated fixture of the summer.
Consecutive victories over Clyda Rovers and St Finbarr’s has the Haven within touching distance of the semi-finals but the Union Hall club is aware their toughest challenge since bowing out of last year’s championship awaits in Dunmanway this Saturday (throw-in, 7pm).
Brian Hurley’s return from suspension means the West Cork club will have their strongest attacking line-up available for selection and Castlehaven will need their Cork inter-county star firing on all cylinders against Ballincollig.
‘Training has gone alright since the St Finbarr’s game, we are injury-free and have no complaints ahead of facing Ballincollig,’ Castlehaven goalkeeper Paudie Hurley said.
‘The Barr’s game was excellent preparation for this weekend’s clash as they are always tough opposition and we were just happy to get over them. We had something like a three and a half-month break since the first round so it was understandable that fellas might have been a bit rusty coming into it. You can play all the challenge games you like but they can’t match the intensity of the championship.’
Brian Hurley’s timely return from suspension will enhance Castlehaven’s chances and is a player Paudie Hurley believes capable of turning the game in his team’s favour.
‘It is great having Brian back as he is amongst the best forwards in the country,’ said Hurley.
‘We are looking forward to having him back in the starting line-up even though it was good for the team to get over the Barr’s without Brian’s presence two weeks ago.
‘Ballincollig are the county champions so you have to look forward to taking them on. The two years before, we were the champions and everyone wanted a cut off of us so it is going to be a big test for us but hopefully we can come out the right side.’
For their part, Ballincollig have been solid rather than spectacular in their two championship outings since defeating Carbery Rangers in last year’s final.
St Finbarr’s were dispatched in the opening round but Ballincollig were made to battle hard before knocking out Valley Rovers at the end of August.
Ballincollig manager Michael O’Brien said: ‘We have enjoyed a good build-up to the game even though it was disappointing to see the lads bow out of the (intermediate) hurling recently.
‘It has been all football since then and training has gone really well. The one good thing from a coaching perspective is that we had about 11 dual-players involved in both codes and they have been playing matches of championship intensity in the build-up to this weekend.
‘Unfortunately, Ciarán O’Sullivan broke his left hand playing hurling the last day but other than that we can report a clean bill of health.
‘We are fully tuned in and ready to go. There is no doubt that Castlehaven have been superb over the past number of years, beginning with 2012 and 2013 successes and is a club with a rich pedigree. They have as strong a team that you will see anywhere in the country so we know the challenge that faces us.’
BY GER McCARTHY
SATURDAY evening’s Ballincollig versus Castlehaven county senior football championship quarter-final pits the 2014 and 2013 champions against one another in the most eagerly-anticipated fixture of the summer.
Consecutive victories over Clyda Rovers and St Finbarr’s has the Haven within touching distance of the semi-finals but the Union Hall club is aware their toughest challenge since bowing out of last year’s championship awaits in Dunmanway this Saturday (throw-in, 7pm).
Brian Hurley’s return from suspension means the West Cork club will have their strongest attacking line-up available for selection and Castlehaven will need their Cork inter-county star firing on all cylinders against Ballincollig.
‘Training has gone alright since the St Finbarr’s game, we are injury-free and have no complaints ahead of facing Ballincollig,’ Castlehaven goalkeeper Paudie Hurley said.
‘The Barr’s game was excellent preparation for this weekend’s clash as they are always tough opposition and we were just happy to get over them. We had something like a three and a half-month break since the first round so it was understandable that fellas might have been a bit rusty coming into it. You can play all the challenge games you like but they can’t match the intensity of the championship.’
Brian Hurley’s timely return from suspension will enhance Castlehaven’s chances and is a player Paudie Hurley believes capable of turning the game in his team’s favour.
‘It is great having Brian back as he is amongst the best forwards in the country,’ said Hurley.
‘We are looking forward to having him back in the starting line-up even though it was good for the team to get over the Barr’s without Brian’s presence two weeks ago.
‘Ballincollig are the county champions so you have to look forward to taking them on. The two years before, we were the champions and everyone wanted a cut off of us so it is going to be a big test for us but hopefully we can come out the right side.’
For their part, Ballincollig have been solid rather than spectacular in their two championship outings since defeating Carbery Rangers in last year’s final.
St Finbarr’s were dispatched in the opening round but Ballincollig were made to battle hard before knocking out Valley Rovers at the end of August.
Ballincollig manager Michael O’Brien said: ‘We have enjoyed a good build-up to the game even though it was disappointing to see the lads bow out of the (intermediate) hurling recently.
‘It has been all football since then and training has gone really well. The one good thing from a coaching perspective is that we had about 11 dual-players involved in both codes and they have been playing matches of championship intensity in the build-up to this weekend.
‘Unfortunately, Ciarán O’Sullivan broke his left hand playing hurling the last day but other than that we can report a clean bill of health.
‘We are fully tuned in and ready to go. There is no doubt that Castlehaven have been superb over the past number of years, beginning with 2012 and 2013 successes and is a club with a rich pedigree. They have as strong a team that you will see anywhere in the country so we know the challenge that faces us.’
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