Kanturk can triumph
COUNTY IFC
Millstreet v Ballydesmond
Friday June 17 Kiskeam 8pm
BALLYDESMOND finished a point to the good after extra time when these sides clashed in a second round tie last year, and the likelihood is there will again be little or nothing in it when they renew rivalry on Friday night.
Millstreet, who emerged from junior ranks in 2014, could well turn the tables this time, given that the experience gained at intermediate level over the past 12 months is bound to stand to them.
They had a good win over Aghabullogue in Round 1, which is guaranteed to boost the confidence levels of a team containing a powerful midfield pairing in Paul Coleman and Mark Ellis, a couple of prolific score-getters in Michael Vaughan and Tadgh Collins, and a well-knit defence in which Cork senior panellist Kevin Crowley is the mainstay.
Ballydesmond kick-started their campaign with a hard-earned win over Adrigole, with the ageless Donncha O’Connor, inevitably, playing a starring role, and their hopes of putting Millstreet to the sword again will most likely depend on the extent of his influence on the proceedings.
Verdict: Millstreet
Kanturk v Mitchelstown
Friday June 17 Charleville 7.45pm
TAKING how they both fared out in last year’s championship as a yardstick, Kanturk should have the edge over in Charleville on Friday night. The Duhallow side qualified for the last four in 2015 by virtue of a win in a replay over Kilnamartyra, who had eliminated Mitchelstown in Round 4.
Still, Mitchelstown lost to Kilnamartyra by just three points, while Kanturk came through by the same margin against the Gaeltacht side at the second attempt, so there isn’t a whole lot between them on that evidence.
Shane Beston is the player who pulls most of the strings up front for Mitchelstown, whose other leading lights are Stephen Fox, Sean Walsh, Fionn Herlihy, Shane Cahill and Dylan Price.
Aidan Walsh, Kyrie Holland, John McLoughlin, Ian Walsh and Lorcan O’Neill will be expected to feature prominently for Kanturk.
Verdict: Kanturk