MATTHEW HURLEY previews the weekend's big county football championship games

Nemo Rangers v Newcestown, 

PSFC semi-final, Sunday (Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2pm)

Newcestown are underdogs for this game, granted. However, this is the sort of tag that they relish. They already beat the county champions from the last two years, Castlehaven, so why can’t lightning strike again? Newcestown have David Buckley up top, who has hit 0-37 thus far, but Nemo have more threats that the West Cork side need to watch. Mark Cronin, Bryan Hayes and Conor Horgan have all played well – if all three fire, that could spell danger for Newcestown.

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St Finbarr’s v Ballincollig, 

PSFC semi-final, Sunday (Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4pm)

The other semi-final has Castlehaven’s conquerors, St Finbarr’s, as big favourites to reach their first final since 2022, but as Muskerry club Ballincollig showed in their 2-15 to 2-10 quarter-final loss to the Barrs last year, they are no pushovers. In that game Ballincollig’s Luke Fahy went off injured after 18 minutes – if he stayed on the pitch, who knows what would have happened. Steven Sherlock has scored 5-27 in the championship though and if The Village are to stop the flow of scores, they need to stop the supply into the Barrs’ marksman.

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Carbery Rangers v Valley Rovers, 

PSFC relegation play-off replay, Saturday (Enniskeane, 2pm)

They go again. In truth, Carbery Rangers will be kicking themselves with how they allowed Valley Rovers back to level in the 1-9 apiece drawn fixture. But Rangers have another chance to save their season. In Paul Hodnett, Ross have a real talent. Only Steven Sherlock of St Finbarr’s and Luke Murphy from Duhallow have scored more than Hodnett’s 1-10 from play.

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Cill na Martra v Éire Óg, 

SAFC semi-final, Saturday (Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 5.45pm)

Cill na Martra are in their second year up at Senior A while Éire Óg were only in premier senior last year. Éire Óg have recognisable Cork talent in Colm O’Callaghan and veteran Daniel Goulding, but Cill na Martra have had standout performers since their All-Ireland intermediate run two years ago. Dan Ó Duinnín has been a constant while Jason MacCarthaigh has impressed this year with 0-16, including five two-pointers.

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Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh v Knocknagree, 

SAFC semi-final, Saturday (Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 7.30pm)

There is no doubt that Mid Cork club Béal Átha’n have been the surprise packets in the second tier so far having beaten Dohenys and Bishopstown to earn a semi-final spot. Diarmuid MacThomáis (1-13) and the Seartans, Donagh and Ben, are a big reason why they have made it this far. Having beaten Carbery Rangers in the Division 2 league final, Knocknagree have shown a ruthless side in this championship: nine goals in four games and 16 different scorers.

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Uibh Laoire v Aghada, 

PIFC semi-final, Saturday (Páirc Uí Rinn, 2.30pm)

A potential match-up could decide which team gets to the final in the third tier. Chris Óg Jones’ scoring threat is widely known and he hasn’t disappointed for Uibh Laoire. In Aghada’s Diarmuid Phelan however, Chris Óg may have his toughest battle yet. Phelan has been playing largely around the middle for the East Cork side but has played defensive roles for Cork underage teams too. Despite that though, Uibh Laoire have been favourites for this competition from the get-go and will be expected to progress.

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Naomh Abán v Aghabullogue, 

PIFC semi-final, Saturday (Macroom, 4pm)

Two Mid Cork sides clash here. Aghabullogue are hoping to return to the final, where they lost to Kilshannig last year. Naomh Abán topped their group and have looked good so far. It will mostly depend on who shines up top. In the Aghabullogue corner is Luke Casey who has scored 4-12 from play, while Naomh Abán have Cork U20 footballer Ed Myers who has contributed to 0-17 from play in the championship.

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Adrigole v Ilen Rovers, 

IAFC semi-final, Saturday (Bantry, 4pm)

In West Cork, this is the most anticipated game of the weekend. You have two local sides here fighting for a county final spot with both unbeaten so far. Adrigole have won all three of their games, the only side in this grade to do so, while Ilen Rovers, after three relegations in four seasons, are finally starting to get some form together. With this game being in Bantry, a close venue to both clubs, expect there to be a large crowd at this as both vie to be in Páirc Uí Chaoimh at the end of the month.

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Kilmurry v Ballinora, 

IAFC semi-final, Sunday (Ovens, 2pm)

Another Muskerry derby here. Kilmurry are Munster junior champions and have brought that form into this championship, not looking out of place. Ballinora, having beaten Gabriel Rangers in the quarter-finals, may be going into this as outsiders but their fighting spirit will stand to them. Seán O’Leary and Liam Wall will be key men for Kilmurry if they are to win.

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Buttevant v Canovee, 

PJFC semi-final, Saturday (Glantane, 4pm)

An exciting tie here as another Muskerry club in Canovee are fighting for a final place. This is a competition where they reached the decider last year too, falling to Kilmurry. They may be favourites, but Buttevant are a side who have shot the lights out in the group stage. They topped their group and scored a massive 9-56 in three games. Canovee will be looking towards latter stage experience here, which could be enough. The winner faces Cobh or St Nick's in the final.