MATTHEW HURLEY looks ahead to semi-final action in the Clóna Milk Carbery football and hurling championships
Castlehaven v Carbery Rangers,
U21A FC semi-final, Thursday
(Skibbereen, 7.30pm)
TWO clubs that play at the senior grades at adult level, and both have exciting talent coming through. For the Haven, they beat Newcestown 2-18 to 2-8 in the quarter-final when Mícheál Maguire (2-4) and Eoin Maguire (1-5) put in starring displays up front. Niall O’Callaghan and Shane O’Connell are two important players around the middle while Daniel McCarthy and Danny O’Donovan are more exciting prospects. Rangers knocked defending champions Ibane Gaels out of the championship in the last eight and Cork U20 livewire Dylan O’Neill kicked 1-2 in a 2-9 to 1-10 win. Eric Hicks struck 1-1, while Timmy Cullinane is another that adds inter-county experience.
ADVERTISEMENT
***
Clonakilty v Dohenys,
U21A FC semi-final, Saturday
(Ballincarriga, 7.30pm)
Both put in great displays in their quarter-finals, so Clonakilty and Dohenys will hope to go further in this competition. Clon have Cork minors Tom Whooley and Fionn O’Donovan at their disposal – Whooley was impressive in their 1-14 to 1-11 win over O’Donovan Rossa, hitting 0-7 from play. Darragh Gough and Dylan Harrington have senior starts under their belts for the Brewery Town club while Des Kenneally recorded 1-2 against Rossas. Dohenys eliminated 2025 finalists Bantry, 2-18 to 2-11. Euan Lehane, Shane Barry, Paudie Crowley and Seán Murray showed their class in the quarter-final and they will be key again this Saturday.
***
Clonakilty v St Colum’s,
U21B FC semi-final, Friday
(Drimoleague, 7.30pm)
St Colum’s continue their title defence against Clonakilty’s second string. The Kealkill club saw off Ahán Gaels in the quarter-final, winning 3-8 to 0-10. Liam Hourihane and Thomas O’Donoghue were their top scorers with 1-4 and 1-3 respectively, while Seán Cronin and Killian Hurley also got on the scoresheet. Cork U20 footballer and former Cork minor captain Cathal McCarthy is a great anchor in defence and is highly-rated in Carbery. Clon received a bye into the last four and with them being a second team, it’s hard to know which players will be available.
***
Bandon v Kilmeen,
U21B FC semi-final, Saturday
(Enniskeane, 7pm)
Both clubs recorded big wins in the quarter-final and will look to go one step further. Bandon were comfortable in their 3-15 to 1-5 victory over Ilen Rovers in the quarter-final. Backed by a Simcox Cup-winning Hamilton High School team, the Lilywhites have great talent on the books. Jack Cullinane is the standout having played with the Cork U20s this year; he hit 1-4 against Ilen. Daniel Coughlan, Ronan Ahern, Gearóid Murphy, Mikey Foley, Cormac O’Flynn and Kevin Hannon are others to watch. Kilmeen beat Kilmacabea/St James 1-24 to 1-10 with Cork minor goalkeeper Rory Twohig operating at full-forward. Twohig hit 0-5 from play so showed he is a player of many skills. Cillian Twohig top scored in the last eighth with 0-14 while Oisín Harrington, Howard O’Donovan and Jason Murray are more stars to keep an eye on.
***
Kilbrittain v Muintir Bhaire,
U21C FC semi-final, Saturday
(Rosscarbery, 7.30pm)
This is the only C semi-final taking place this weekend with Owen Gaels facing Gabriel Rangers at a later date. Kilbrittain beat Tadhg MacCarthaigh in the quarter-final by 2-17 to 2-10, as Luke Griffin scored 1-6 from play. Ronan Crowley, Darragh Crowley, Shane Ustianowski and Fionn Ustianowski were on target, too.. Muintir Bháire needed a boost given their struggles at adult level and to be fair produced a brilliant performance in beating Randal Óg, 6-22 to 3-9. Ryan O’Sullivan struck 3-7 in that game and can be a difference-maker. Oisín Daly, Calvin Cronin, Davin Ross and Seán O’Sullivan are more weapons in the Durrus club’s ranks.
***
Newcestown v Ibane Gaels,
U21A HC semi-final, Friday
(Enniskeane, 7.15pm)
The start of the top U21 hurling grade in Carbery sees Newcestown begin the defence of their title. The winners face Bandon in the final. Despite the injuries, Micheál McSweeney’s team will be confident of reaching the final here. Oisín O’Sullivan is a key scorer for the holders while Flor Kenneally and Humphrey Canty are good players too, as are Sam Long and Olan Kelly. Ibane has the one code to focus on following their football exit. Luke Murphy has played minor hurling for Cork while Olan O’Donovan is another capable of producing magic.
***
Owen Gaels v O’Donovan Rossa,
U21C HC semi-final, Saturday
(Ardfield, 7pm)
Owen Gaels are the only side in the C grade who have dual commitments at U21 and the Ballinascarthy/St Oliver Plunkett’s combination have good players at their disposal. Andrew and Flor McCarthy are players who have done well at school level with Clonakilty Community College while Jerry O’Leary is a shrewd operator. Timmy Cullinane is eligible for this age group too but may be tied up with Carbery Rangers football commitments. O’Donovan Rossa are a club trying to develop youth and will want to cause a surprise.
***
Randal Óg v St James,
U21A HC semi-final, Sunday
(Ballinascarthy, 7pm)
Randal Óg were defeated finalists at this grade last year after Dohenys took the crown. The Ballinacarriga club will be desperate to return to the final. Even more so considering their footballers were knocked out by Muintir Bháire. St James, as part of an amalgamation with Kilmacabea, were eliminated in football too so a game with two hungry sides is in store.
