WEST Cork GAA fans are in for a treat – Clonakilty hosts the latest clash in the next chapter of the Castlehaven v St Finbarr’s rivalry.

While there are numerous games this weekend to whet the appetite, this premier senior football quarter-final on Sunday afternoon (3pm) stands clear above all the others. It’s a heavyweight battle right on our doorstep.

This game marks the sixth year in succession that back-to-back champions Castlehaven take on 2021 and 2018 winners, the Barrs. The collision comes at least a round earlier than expected after Newcestown punctured the Haven’s aura of invincibility last time out. West Cork football fans won’t be complaining as it gives them an opportunity to watch the action on our doorstep away from Cork city. Páirc Uí Rinn and Páirc Uí Chaoimh have been home to five certifiable classics since a Mark Collins penalty won a Covid-era cracker at the old Flower Lodge venue.

The Barrs turned the tables in the same manner the following year when Steven Sherlock converted the winning penalty after another epic at Cork GAA HQ, before the city team did the needful by four points in 2022. It was after this that a switch flipped in Castlehaven minds, and they decided that direct man-to-man football was not the best way to crack the St Finbarr’s nut.

A tactical reshuffle saw the westerners pull more bodies behind the ball, including relocating Mark Collins to wing-back/sweeper role and leaving the Hurley brothers and Jack Cahalane as an inside trio, with Collins and the rest blocking the space for the Barrs running game, and then counter-attacking with glee. The tactic worked a treat as the Barrs pressed numbers forward and left various defenders one-versus-one with the above mentioned trio, who made hay in the open spaces. Brian’s first-half performance in last year’s semi-final was as good as it gets for a forward.

Now, the new rules of Gaelic football all but stipulate that both sides will set up in this manner, even if Castlehaven will be more practiced in their system three years in. That said, perhaps the Newcestown result showed that, as good as they are, the predictability of Castlehaven’s plans is allowing teams to devise strategies to contain them. Great teams often find their opponents will mirror their tactics and set up after some time, and the Haven may just be adjusting to not having things all on their own terms of late.

The Barrs, for their part, were unimpressive against Clonakilty and Carbery Rangers before finding their groove against Carrigaline, with marksman supreme Sherlock kicking 1-14. The Barrs' success in recent years has been built on strong defenders mixed with powerful athletic runners and Sherlock’s accuracy. Not much has changed and this means the Barrs can be vulnerable when teams close the spaces and do a number on Sherlock as Maurice Shanley did recently for Clon, with help from his defensive colleagues of course.

Alan O’Connor, Jamie Burns, Sam Ryan and Billy Hennessy are stalwarts in defence, even if they have struggled against Castlehaven in the last two contests in particular. Ian Maguire is a colossus at midfield who never lets them down, while they will need big games from Cork hurlers Ethan Twomey and the fit-again Brian Hayes.

The Haven, despite their recent defeat, still hold a serious set of cards. The inside trio we have already saluted, while Mark Collins is the brains of the entire operation. Add Damien and Conor Cahalane and the Maguire brothers to the mix, and there is quality all over the pitch. This is the biggest game in West Cork in many a year, and Clon should be heaving with expectant followers.

For my prediction, I believe the defeat to Newcestown will sharpen Castlehaven minds, and they will detail enough bodies to curtail Sherlock’s exploits and claim a narrow win. Sherlock has played at No. 11 for the Barrs plenty in the past, and this may be something to keep in the pocket for this weekend, to allow him more space and the chance to pick off two-pointers from deep.

While that fixture may be the jewel in the crown, it’s far from the only show in town this weekend. In the other premier SFC quarter-finals, I expect Newcestown to back up their group-stage success with a win over Carrigaline who are missing Brian O’Driscoll, and advance to a clash with Nemo Rangers, while the unity and familiarity of club side Ballincollig can ensure they take the final place in the last four.

While most eyes will be on the quarter-finals, of most interest to me will be the relegation decider in Enniskeane on Saturday evening, with Ross taking on Valley Rovers. As always, I’ll refrain from direct comment on this one. It hasn’t been a good couple of seasons for Ross since we nearly toppled eventual champions Nemo in 2022. A big performance is needed to turn the tables on a Valleys team that comfortably won the most recent encounter two years ago.

In the Senior A quarter-finals, Knocknagree against Kanturk could be another cracker and John Fintan Daly’s Division 2 league winners can prevail here, even if another man well in the know tells me that Kanturk are their bogey team. A vastly improved and youthful Bishopstown take on an Éire Óg side looking for an immediate return to premier senior ranks – the Ovens club can take another step towards redemption here. O’Donovan Rossa have enough about them to overcome a Fermoy side that have been my pick for relegation from senior A since the start of the season.

Aghabullogue against Kiskeam is the pick of the ties in the PIFC and the men in green and white can continue their momentum from last year’s intermediate A success, while last year’s beaten finalists Glanmire can win another tight contest with Aghada. There won’t be much in either of the games and the relegation final will be no different, where I hope Bandon can take the momentum from their success in the hurling last weekend and secure the win they need against Macroom.

There is strong West Cork interest in the intermediate quarter-finals and I expect Gabriel Rangers to shade their contest with Ballinora, while Ilen Rovers might find Mitchelstown a little bit ahead of them at the moment. Win or lose though, some positive signs for the Baltimore/Church Cross club after a number of difficult seasons. Dromtariffe can consign St Vincent’s to premier junior football next year. In that grade, Canovee and Inniscarra can get the better of Cullen and Cobh respectively. Millstreet versus Ballydesmond in the relegation final is another spicy derby encounter and expect no quarter asked or given, and I’m tossing a coin here to give the benefit of the doubt to the men on the Kerry border.

Here at home in Carbery, four interesting junior A quarter-finals and not much to separate the teams here either, as it gets even harder to pick winners in the superbly even match-ups. St Mary’s may struggle to overcome Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas if talisman Olan Corcoran is ruled out of action, and Goleen can cause a mild surprise against traditional heavyweights, Caheragh. Argideen Rangers might just edge another local derby with Kilbrittain and reigning champions Kilmacabea can keep the defence of their title on track against their conquerors in the 2023 final, Barryroe.

We can’t finish without referencing the junior B championship either, and I’ll take Clann na nGael to do the business against Newcestown’s second string while O’Donovan Rossa can get some revenge for their recent senior A reverse against Dohenys.