2018 GAA C’SHIPS TIES PREVIEW
TAKING stock of what lies ahead will occupy Duhallow teams following the draws for the 2018 County SFC at the county convention last Sunday.
Kiskeam return to the big stage for the second year, memories remain of a stunning path to land outright victory in the 2016 County Premier championship. That secured elevation to senior ranks and though facing a tough baptism and a defeat to Avondhu first time out, Kiskeam recovered superbly to sweep past both Aghada and Carbery before their campaign ended on defeat to eventual Cork and Munster champions Nemo Rangers.
On the evidence of their performances from 2017, Kiskeam have real belief in themselves and they can look ahead on a first round clash against St. Nicks. Not the worst of draws by any means, the latter lost to Seandun in the opening round this season and their only win surfaced on a relegation victory against Dohenys.
Whoever loses between Kiskeam and St. Nicks face Mallow or Valley Rovers in the losers round whilst the first round leapfrogs into Round 3. Meanwhile, Duhallow renew rivalry with Seandun for the third consecutive season. With a new format for divisions and colleges, eight teams are involved with two sides progressing to the championship proper later in the summer.
When the sides clashed last May, Duhallow opened up the Seandún defence on three occasions during the opening quarter to bag a trio of goals.
For the majority of the hour, Duhallow dominated the proceedings and always looked far sharper and more effective both in defence and attack. Credit Seandun, though conceding major scores, they battled hard and fair to put up a decent score yet found themselves under the cosh against a committed Duhallow.
Earlier Duhallow had bettered Muskerry before accounting for Valley Rovers with a late winner. Again the old chestnut of club and divisional fixtures reared its head and Duhallow stood little chance in a county semi-final against Nemo Rangers.
With another season lurking around the corner, Duhallow are willing to contest again though nothing more than wins will suffice. No doubt, Duhallow will enter the fray as favourites against Seandún yet a big task would lie ahead on a meeting against the winners of Carbery or UCC in Round 2, another win would book a place against a club team.
City sides for Newmarket and Kanturk in County PIFC
KANTURK make their first foray into the 2018 County Premier IFC on a meeting against Nemo Rangers second team. That comes after emerging top of the pile to land the IFC title from the grasp of Mitchelstown in a thrilling decider.
Having disappointed in the grade in the past few seasons, Kanturk were on a mission from start to finish, wins over Glanworth, Kildorrery and Mitchelstown during the latter stages confirmed a superb work ethic and an appetite to succeed helped overwhelm a number of viable contenders.
Dual commitments will be high on Kanturk’s agenda early in the new year, no doubt focusing on hurling for a spell. However, they will again be a force a in football, Nemo are sure to offer a test after a poor return in this grade in 2017 with defeats to Mallow and Bandon. The loser to the Kanturk / Nemo Rangers tie play St. Vincents or Castletownbere in Round 2.
Meanwhile, Newmarket face up to Na Piarsaigh in the opening hurdle. A mixed past season saw wins recorded over Macroom and they looked well placed against St. Michaels in a semi-final. Having played attractive football in the opening half, their game went steadily into decline upon the resumption.
For their part, Na Piarsaigh also incurred a defeat to St. Michaels before bettering Grenagh and exiting to Éire Óg. Round 2 opponents for the loser to Newmarket and Na Piarsaigh are Fermoy or Bantry, familiar colours to the Duhallow from recent seasons.
Meelin renew rivalry with Ballincollig THE Intermediate Hurling Championship features 27 teams next season. Meelin enjoyed a decent run from 2016, bettering Ballincollig en route only to succumb to Aghada. Not the greatest of campaigns this season with back to back defeats to Éire Óg and Barryroe made Meelin reduntant.
Ballincollig will again provide the opposition in the opening round for 2018, they availed of a good run, wins over Inniscarra, Douglas and Kilbrittain secured a semi-final place only for a two point defeat by next door neighbours Eire Óg.
Obviously some work in hand for Meelin, well capable of pursuing a positive result against Ballincollig and avoiding Dungourney, Douglas or Meelin in the losers Round 2 encounter.
Rockchapel face new
kids Knocknagree
THE Intermediate Football Championship draw threw up interesting first round duels none more so than the pairing of 2014/16 finalists Rockchapel against debutants Knocknagree.
Though defeated by Éire Óg in 2014, Rockchapel bounced back and can be described as somewhat unlucky against Bandon in the 2016 decider.
From the current season, Rockchapel recovered from a narrow defeat by Kanturk to reach the quarter-final only to incur a two point defeat to eventual finalists Mitchelstown.
The progress of Knocknagree is well versed, taking their place at intermediate level for the first time since 1992.
Ahead of any county involvement, Knocknagree remain competitive, currently targeting the All Ireland JAFC series and facing Donegal side Naomh Colmcille in five weeks.
Meanwhile, the Rockchapel and Knocknagree pairing revives memories of their last competitive clash dating back to the 2012 Duhallow JAFC quarter final where a rampant Rockchapel let their football do the talking on outclassing Knocknagree in a one sided contest.
Never a doubt about the outcome, Rockchapel imposed their authority on the proceedings from an early stage. Indeed the result was a foregone conclusion as early as the end of the opening quarter after Rockchapel chalked up a 3-4 tally without reply in an electrifying spell of attacking football.
Of course, both sides have moved on from that confrontation, Rockchapel now a seasoned outfit in the intermediate grade with Knocknagree sure to bring plenty of enthusiasm.
One of the pick out ties from the 2018 opening round, the competitive element from the Knocknagree and Rockchapel tussle may be somewhat diluted on the fact that both winner and loser will advance into round 3 to ensure end of summer football at least.
The draw pits Millstreet against Clonakility, having returned to intermediate status in 2015 for the first time since 1997, Millstreet have endured some tough days in the grade.
Winning against Mayfield first day out in 2017, they subsequently came a cropper to both Glanworth and Mitchelstown.
Clonakilty parade a second side yet boosted by success minor and u21 players, they enjoyed a win over Carrigaline before running Cill na Martra to four points prior to their campaign ending on a loss to Gabriel Rangers.
The loser to the Millstreet / Clonakilty faces Ballydesmond or Aghabullogue in Round 2. Not too much expected in the latter contest, both sides enjoying decent outings this season.
After a defeat by St Finbarrs, Aghabullogue recovered to overcome Mayfield only to relent to Rockchapel in a replay. Meanwhile, Ballydesmond overcame a dismal defeat to St Finbarrs, back on track by overcoming Youghal and Glenville only to falter to Mitchelstown in a replay.
The indications are a close and competitive championship lies on the cards to determine who succeeds Kanturk as 2018 outright winners.
Kanturk and Duhallow tackle neighbours in Senior hurling
KANTURK came of age in 2017 in both hurling and football with a glut of silverware to show. Of course, their hurling journey is far from complete, looking ahead to an All Ireland Intermediate semi final against Middletown from Armagh in a few weeks.
Whatever the outcome, Kanturk will ply their trade in the County SHC ranks next season and a first round meeting against Newtownshandrum is sure to draw a big attendance. A dream became a reality last October, Kanturk’s meteoric rise through a tough premier intermediate grade culminated on outright county honours.
For good measure, Kanturk added a provincial title as the focus now centres on the All Ireland series. A few months down the road, Newtown are sure to provide a stiff examination, their light has dimmed somewhat in recent times.
Though narrowly defeated by Na Piarsaigh in the opening round this season, Newtown recovered to better Youghal only to come up short to Bandon by a two point margin.
The clash of Kanturk and Neewtown makes for an intriguing contest, of course neither side will be out of contention, the loser faces Midleton or Bishopstown in Round 2.
Elsewhere, the opening round to the County SHC (divisional section) brings together the all North Cork pairing of Duhallow and Avondhu.
Though Duhallow’s fortunes have improved in recent years, its been frustrating too on mixed returns. 2017 saw wins recorded over Youghal and Bride Rovers sandwiched by defeats to Sarsfields and Erins Own where club involvement limited proper preparation.
Given Kanturk’s elevation to senior rank, it will further hamper Duhallow where the winner of their joust with Avondhu progress to round 2 against UCC or Carrigdhoun.