Intra-division clash of Ballycollig and Muskerry catches the eye in a major way

THE exciting action from a Muskerry perspective this weekend is the senior football championship game arranged for Cloughduv on Friday evening.

This encounter will involve the divisional senior football side and fellow mid Cork side Ballincollig. This two sides last had a championship engagement in 2014 when Ballincollig were at their strongest point in their football history and they secured a convincing victory.

They subsequently moved on to capture a historic county title. A similar situation is hardly likely to manifest itself on Friday next however as Muskerry’s last championship outing saw them gaining an exciting victory over Clonakilty and the talent at their disposal is formidable.

Ballincollig this season were comfortable winners over St Finbarrs in their first round championship outing but they later disappointed when they suffered defeat at the hands of Valley Rovers. They will consequently be very aware of the need to produce something extra on Friday next to stay in the championship race.

There are plenty of big names on the Muskerry panel and when you see players of the calibre of the Goold brothers Fintan and David and Sean Kiely (Macroom), Daniel Goulding (Éire Óg), Cathal Vaughan (Iveleary), Amlaoibh Ó Loinsigh and Lionaírd Ó Conchuír (Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh), Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra), Micheál Ó Laoire (Naoma Aban), Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael) and their excellent Cúl Baire from Aghabullogue John Buckley.

One would feel that a properly focussed team could be very hard to defeat. Ballincollig will be hoping to be at their best with players like Patrick Kelly, The Kiely brothers – Sean and Cian.

Liam Jennings and Cian Dorgan being to the forefront of their effort to overcome the challenge of their fellow mid Cork side. This encounter could prove to be closely contested and be of good quality and we wish the contestants well.

In internal divisional competition the next important outing is MJK Oils Junior Hurling Championship, which is arranged for Cloughduv on Tuesday next. Ballincollig and Iveleary will be in action in same.

This is a game that could go either way. Iveleary gave their Hurling stock a boost when they secured a first round victory over Blarney while Ballincollig gave a competent performance when they overcame the challenge of Gleann Na Laoi in their last championship outing.

FIXTURE

TUESDAY AUGUST 15

M.J.K. Oils Junior Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Ballincollig v Iveleary, Cloughduv 7pm