Big challenge awaits Duhallow team in Bishopstown

given the two teams involve dual personnel that played just two weeks earlier in the County SHC won by Bishopstown.

A move to the bigger ball sees both sides impress in recent outings and it promises to be quite an open encounter. To date it’s been a bit of a roller coaster journey for Duhallow, a performance to forget delivered against Nemo Rangers first day out.

Thereafter Duhallow bounced back to overcome Seandún, little between the sides in the opening half before Duhallow got into their stride after the break on favoured by the elements, victory borne out by an impressive spread of scorers.

Onto a meeting against Douglas, a close encounter had been anticipated, but there was never a doubt about the outcome with Duhallow imposing their authority on the proceedings from an early stage.

Indeed Duhallow’s mission was made all the more easier by a Douglas performance that fell well short of expectation, their cause not helped by injuries to key players.

Their workrate of Duhallow all over the field was hugely significant, a competent defence stood up manfully to each challenge with Joseph Dennehy and Aidan Walsh putting in a massive shift at midfield.

Going forward, the movement on and off the ball was quick and intelligent, confirmed on goals netted by Michael Vaughan, Seamus Hickey and Jerry O’Connor. Teamwise for Sunday will see forced Dishallow changes, Vaughan and Eamon O’Callaghan ruled out to injury.

For their part, Bishopstown have impressed in this campaign, recording a resounding win over Ballincollig first day out, towering figures in the full forward line, Denis Crowley and Daniel O’Donovan creating havoc where the victors grabbed three goals in the opening half.

Much the same scenario in their Round 2A victory, again the twin towers of O’Donovan and Crowley blasted home goals to storm past UCC. Far from a two man side, Bishopstown can also look to the presence of Ken O’Halloran, Diarmuid Lester and Conor Dorman for guidance.

Given those eye-catching performances, Bishopstown will be additionally buoyed by back to back wins in the County SHC in recent week and confidence is surely on a high.

No doubt Duhallow will face a searching examination and they will have to maximise their potential to get over this hurdle.

Unbeaten Bishopstown enter the fray with impressive results yet if Duhallow are on their game and limit the ball to the city danger men, they are capable of advancing to a quarter-final against Avondhu.

The Duhallow and Ballincollig tussle forms part of a double bill in Macroom, the programme is up and running with Éire Óg and Bantry Blues in the Premier IFC at 6.15pm.