Full steam ahead in Muskerry’s top competition
LAST weekend saw closely contested games in Muskerry’s premier championship and they all got results. The division’s competitions are consequently making satisfying progress and they are likely to move further towards the concluding stages over the coming week.
Last Thursday the junior hurling championship quarter final involving Blarney and Éire Óg went right down to the wire before the former managed to get their noses in front.
They were fortunate to have a talented reserve in the person of former Cork minor Barra O’Connell who secured the all important winning goal following his introduction. Blarney will now face Ballinora in the semi-final.
On Friday evening last at Macroom the much awaited third round championship encounter between Canovee and Kilmurry lived up to expectations. The game was vigorously contested but it was at all times sporting.
Canovee were the better side on this occasion so Kilmurry who were worthy championship winners for the past two years have surrendered their hold on the crown. The exceptional performance of Brian O’Donoghue at centre field for Canovee was a vital factor in their victory.
On Saturday Donoughmore had a slight edge over Clondrohid in their junior football second round championship encounter.
The premier championships in the division will continue this coming week and this Thursday evening the junior football game in Ballincollig will see Dripsey endeavouring to overcome the Éire Óg challenge.
Dripsey were among the teams who were leading contenders for championship honours not too long ago and they lost narrowly to Donoughmore in a final in 2011. Since then however they have slipped as some of the players who have been part of their significant success are reaching the veteran stage and finding the going hard.
Others from that period have retired, and in a small catchment area it is not easy to have suitable replacements. Their recent victory over Béal Athan Ghorthaidh was a boost to their morale but they will still find the going hard against Eire Óg’s second choice squad.
The latter are very strong in football at present as they continue to produce players for their inter-county scene at all levels. They will certainly have a team on duty capable of gaining victory this evening in a game that could go right down to the wire.
On Friday at Blarney, Ballincollig are expected to be too good for Donoughmore. The former will have in their line out at least nine players who have the experience of senior championship football while a third of their team played championship football with Cork at different levels. Donoughmore will raise to the occasion but Ballincollig are fancied to advance.
Cloughduv the reigning hurling champions will also be in action on Friday and they are most likely to qualify for another final when they face Iveleary at Annahala. The latter did well to overcome Ballincollig in their last outing and players like James Martin O’Leary, Ciarán O’Riordan, Cathal Vaughan and Ger McSweeney will be on the forefront of their effort to give a good account of themselves on Friday.
Cloughduv, however, with players like Eoghan Clifford, Mark Walsh, Brian Verling and James Moynihan displaying top form at present appear likely to qualify for another final.
FIXTURES
THURSDAY AUGUST 2
Junior Football Championship
Dripsey v Eire Óg, Ballincollig 7.15
FRIDAY AUGUST 3
Junior Football Championship
Ballincollig v Donoughmore, Blarney 7.15
Junior Hurling Championship Semi-final
Cloughduv v Iveleary, Annahala 7.15
Junior (B) Hurling Championship
Ballinora v Grenagh, Clougheen 7.15
SATURDAY AUGUST 4
Junior Football Championship
IF inniscarra v Cill na Martra 7.00 IF Kilmichaelv Cill na Martra 7.00
TUESDAY AUGUST 7
Junior (B) Hurling Championship
Ballincollig v Eire Óg, Ballinora 7.00