Muskerry clubs have excelled on county stage in very satisfactory season
MUSKERRY GAA enthusiasts and all associated with the division will be reasonably happy with the promotion of Gaelic games in its area during 2018, with most of their championships producing entertaining fare and more importantly they were finished on time to everybody’s satisfaction.
To date the achievements of clubs from Muskerry in the county championship arena have been most praiseworthy with titles being captured in exciting fashion. Donoughmore were the first to climb the winners rostrum when they gained an exciting Under-21 (C) football county title and in more recent weeks we had an abundance of county titles coming to Muskerry.
On Sunday, October 14 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh Ballincollig regained Premier Intermediate hurling status following their participation in the lower grade since 2014. Their final victory over Blackrock was well merited and they can face next season’s participation in premier intermediate hurling with a great degree of confidence.
On Saturday, October 20 at Páirc Uí Rinn Cloughduv finally put behind themselves all the frustrations and heartbreaks that they suffered since 2002 in their desire to regain Intermediate status. They overcame the challenge of east Cork champions Russell Rovers and their display indicated that they will compete well in the higher grade of hurling.
On Sunday, October 28 Muskerry football was very much centre stage at Páirc Uí Chaoimh where Cill na Martra faced Aghabullogue in the Intermediate county final and the former had a historic victory.
It was unfortunate that their victory was at the expense of a fellow Muskerry side. It was a particularly disappointing result for Aghabullogue considering it was their second final defeat in recent times. They are an enthusiastic side, however, and I am sure they will bounce back.
Last Saturday at Páirc Uí Rinn the division came close to another county final victory when the very talented Kilmurry under 21 football side gave a great account of themselves against formidable Nemo Rangers. The sides finished all square so hopefully Kilmurry will succeed in the replay.
Returning to the internal Muskerry championship scene throughout the year most grades produced some exciting contests with the junior football championship again being the most exciting competition.
The supremacy of Cloughduv and the expectation of they capturing another title reduced the interest in the junior hurling scene but a different situation will prevail in 2019.
Cloughduv’s deserved promotion to intermediate status will create greater interest in the junior hurling situation with every club feeling they have a chance of reaching the ultimate.
Happy with the conclusion of their championships the Muskerry board are now endeavouring to bring their various leagues to a conclusion and last Saturday Ballinora’s comprehensive victory over Blarney gave them a junior hurling league title.
The junior (B) hurling league semi-final between the third choice teams of Éire Óg and Ballincollig played at Ovens saw Éire Óg advancing to the final and they will play Aghabullogue in same.
In the junior (B) football league final Kilmurry will play Naomh Abán, but the former must replay their under 21 final and Cloughduv’s current participation in the under 21 hurling county championship will also effect the grade (B) football date.
Kilmurry who have a very exciting end to their season must also find a date for their junior football league semi-final encounter. Ballincollig are in the final of same. One other league must be concluded and that is in junior (C) football.
That final will see junior (C) champions Gleann na Laoi hoping to make it a league/ championship double. They will play Macroom in the final of same on Sunday afternoon next at Ballincollig.
FIXTURE
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11 Muskerry Junior (C) Football League Final
Gleann na Laoi v Macroom, Ballincollig 2pm