Éire Óg on the cusp of semi-final
COUNTY PIFC Éire Óg v Bantry Blues Saturday September 3 Macroom 6.15pm
IT could be argued that Éire Óg left the title behind them last year after relinquishing a six-point lead with ten minutes remaining in a semi-final replay against eventual champions Carrigaline.
They were clearly the better team overall on the day, and they held the upper-hand for most of the drawn match as well. They endured similar frustration in the intermediate football championship in 2013, going under to Rockchapel at the quarter final stage by just two points after conceding four goals.
They bounced back the following year, however, to brush aside all opposition, turning the tables on Rockchapel in most emphatic fashion in the final, and they are obviously hoping there will be no further slip-ups at premier level as they attempt to collect a second county title in three seasons.
They have certainly ticked all the right boxes up to now, finishing ten points to the good in their opening assignment against Nemo Rangers before running out comfortable winners, 0-12 to 0-6, over last year’s defeated finalists St Michael’s to book a place in the last eight.
Bantry Blues were well beaten by Mallow in Round 1, and they were put to the pin of their collar to get over Newmarket in a game that went to extra-time after that.
They were much too good for struggling Ballinora a few weeks ago, but, all in all, their form hasn’t been sufficiently convincing to suggest they are serious title-contenders, although, with such experienced players as Graham Canty and Ruairi Deane on hand to provide the leadership, they will have to be respected at the same time.
Providing Éire Óg perform to their potential, however, they should be able to fuel the widespread view they are the team that will take all the beating this year, and confirm their superiority over the West-Cork men, who shipped a seven-point defeat, 3-10 to 2-6, when these sides collided in Round 1 in 2015.
Such as Daniel Goulding, John Mullins, Ryan O’Toole, Dermot Herlihy, Fionn O’Rourke and Kevin Hallissey will be expected to play leading roles for the well-balanced Mid-Cork outfit.
Verdict: Éire Óg
COUNTY IFC Mitchelstown v Bandon
Saturday September 3 Caherlag 6.15pm
MITCHELSTOWN made everyone sit up and take notice when romping to victory, 2-14 to 0-9, over Mayfield – who took Fermoy to a replay in last year’s final – two weeks ago.
Achieved in the absence of talismanic attacker Shane Beston, the North-Cork side’s triumph was all the more laudable and it’s bound to leave them brimming with confidence ahead of this quarter final tie against Bandon.
Preceded by a good win over Glenville, it sent out a clear message that Mitchelstown have put an earlier slump to Kanturk firmly behind them, as they attempt to advance to the semi finals for the first time since they graduated to intermediate ranks following their county junior success in 2013.
Bandon, county junior kingpins last year, have also recovered well from a chastening defeat by Kilnamartyra in Round 1, displaying admirable battling qualities and a penchant for goals that carried them through against Ballydesmond, 3-8 to 0-14, and Glanworth, 3-8 to 1-11, in their previous two outings.
It can be taken for granted they will provide Mitchelstown with a stern test, but a repeat of their showing against Mayfield would leave the Avondhu men in with every chance, all the more so since it’s expected that Shane Beston will be fit enough to play some part in the proceedings.
In his absence, Michael Walsh and Jason Cott really stepped up to the plate the last day when Sean Walsh at midfield, and Stephen Fox and Fionn Herlihy at the back also made especially generous contributions to what was a compelling and highly encouraging team performance overall. Verdict: Mitchelstown
COUNTY IHC Ballincollig v Dungourney Saturday September 3 Pairc Ui Rinn 3.30pm
HAVING shipped a heavy defeat from Meelin in Round 1, Ballincollig have done well to get their title aspirations back on track with a couple of hard-earned victories over Barryroe and Argideen Rangers.
They haven’t exactly set the world on fire with their performances, however, and the likelihood is that more will be required if they are to continue on their winning way against Dungourney.
They had just four points to spare over Barryroe, who finished 12 points adrift of Dungourney in a prelimary round tie, while their 1-17 to 2-11 win over Argideen Rangers last week-end was facilitated to a certain extent by the fact that the Timoleague side’s wide-count ran into double figures on the day.
Although Dungourney – decisive winners over Douglas in Round 1 – finished just a point to the good over Aghabullogue last time out, they never really looked like losing that game, and in putting 1-20 on the board, they brought their total haul from three outings to 2-59.
That’s impressive shooting by any standards, mirroring the fire-power that the likes of James Leahy, Bill Aherne, Shane Hegarty, Niall Motherway and the prolific Ryan Denny will bring to the table for last year’s county junior champions.
Liam Jennings, Ciaran O’Sullivan, Matt O’Leary, David Collins, Eoin Hegarty and Bob Burke will be expected to spearhead Ballincollig’s bid for the laurels. Verdict: Dungourney