Fermoy could run out of road
COUNTY PREMIER IFC Fermoy v Naomh Aban Saturday, August 27 Kilmurry 6.45pm
FOR the vast majority of the Fermoy panel, this will be a fourth championship outing in as many weeks.
Since their footballers registered a decisive victory over Ballinora, Fermoy’s hurlers have been out against Charleville and Inniscarra, with a total of thirteen players featuring in all three games.
It’s a demanding schedule by any standards, and it remains to be seen if it will take a toll on the dual-players, even if they showed no signs of fatigue during the hardearned win over Inniscarra in the hurling quarter final last week-end.
Naomh Aban have had a fourweek break since getting the better of a useful Nemo Rangers outfit, which has given them ample time to recharge the batteries and, with no distractions, get fully focused on this fixture.
That has to be a big plus for the Gaeltacht men, who made a welcome return to form against Nemo, having failed to raise a gallop in their previous outing against Na Piarsaigh.
Consistency hasn’t been a problem for Fermoy, county intermediate kingpins last year, as their win over Ballinora stretched an unbeaten run in championship football to seven games, so they will probably feel that nothing is beyond them at this stage.
Under normal circumstances, they would be quite capable of continuing on their winning way against Naomh Aban, and they will certainly be in with every chance if such as Tomas Clancy, Martin Brennan, Brian O’Sullivan, Jeff Daly, Ruairi O’Hagan and Ronan O’Callaghan put their best foot forward.
Yet, the possibility that the dual-mandate could militate against their prospects can’t be lightly ignored, and the Ballyvourney side, backboned by the likes of Colm Dehide, Maidhc O’Duinnin, Micheal O’Liathain, Donncha O’Ceochain, Niall O’Ceallaigh and the ageless Micheal O’Croinin, get a tentative vote to progress on that account.
Verdict: Naomh Aban
COUNTY IHC Éire Óg v Midleton Friday, August 26 Riverstown 7.45pm
ÉIRE Óg, beaten by St Finbarr’s in Round 1 and untested by a a substandard Carrigaline side in their next outing, produced their best display of the season so far when putting Aghabullogue to the sword in a thrilling Mid-Cork derby last weekend.
It means they will enter the fray in a very positive frame of mind against Midleton’s second team, which looked limited enough in their previous two games against the second strings of Glen Rovers and Inniscarra.
Midleton did get the job done against Inniscarra, but they will be facing a much sterner test when they square up to the men from Ovens, who will surely prevail if the likes of Dermot Herlihy, Daniel
Goulding, John Mullins, Kevin Hallissey and Paul McDonagh reproduce the form that did much to pave the way for the win over Aghabullogue.
Verdict: Éire Óg
COUNTY IHC Ballincollig v Argideen Rangers Saturday, August 27 Bandon 6.15pm
BALLINCOLLIG came out on top by a point when these sides clashed in Round 4 last year, but Argideen Rangers will fancy their chances of turning the tables on the basis of their more impressive form in the campaign to date.
Whereas Ballincollig were soundly thrashed by Meelin in Round 1 before limping to victory over a poor Barryroe side, Argideen enjoyed a good win over Na Piarsaigh in their opening assignment and were a little unlucky to go under by the minimum against Kilbrittain after that. Verdict: Argideen Rangers.
COUNTY PIHC RELEGATION PLAY-OFF Kanturk v Tracton Friday, August 26 Mourneabbey 7.45pm
RATED as genuine title-contenders at the start of the season, it’s been a bitterly disappointing campaign for Kanturk, as they lost their opening two games against Cloyne and Kilworth, and are now seeking a win that will secure their premier status. It’s generally accepted they are capable of a lot better than what they have produced up to now, however, and, on a mission of redemption, they will be strongly fancied to account for a Tracton side that hasn’t won a competitive game this year. The Minane Bridge men endured a couple of humiliating championship defeats at the hands of Ballinhassig, 3-23 to 0-18, and Mallow, 5-22 to 0-16, while Kanturk, in running Cloyne to five points and Kilworth to three points, have managed to keep their pride and confidence someway intact at least.
Verdict: Kanturk