Fermoy will face a stiffer test in Templetuohy
Moyne Templetuohy (Tipperary) v Fermoy
THERE is no rest for the wicked, or for that matter the successful and Fermoy’s footballers fit firmly into the latter category.
Fresh from the north Cork side’s comfortable home win over Limerick side Galbally in the Munster Intermediate Football quarter-final last Saturday the men in black will hit the road this Sunday to take on Moyne-Templetuohy of Tipperary for a place in the provincial showpiece game.
Fermoy were in devastating form last weekend blitzing the opposition with a goal scoring threat that few could handle, but the next opponents will be a serious step up for the Cork county champions.
Fermoy manager Mick Hennessey was clearly delighted with the result last weekend but knows that there is plenty more to do before his side can even think about the provincial final.
“Away from home it is going to be a big challenge but that is what we are here for. Moyne-Templetuohy aren’t likely to roll over for us in their own back yard and we have to be ready for that.
“We saw them in their county final and they are a good, physical side. More physical than we met in the quarter final from Galbally so we will need to prepare for that. We started slowly for the first 10 or 15 minutes but we grew into that game but in the second quarter we were much better.
“I told the lads at the break that I wanted them to push on but it just wasn’t to be on the day and to be fair to our lads the opposition weren’t there to let us drive over them again - but overall, I am really happy with the way things went.”
While Fermoy are in good shape personnel-wise for this weekend’s encounter they will be without Tomás Clancy and Brian O’Sullivan with the former out due to a previous engagement, while O’Sullivan has not recovered from a hand injury picked up recently. Other than that, the news is good for Fermoy with Eoin Clancy likely to make a return to action after a spell on the side-line.
“The lads have all come through well and are all looking forward to the game this weekend. It will be tough, sure we know that and no one is thinking any differently or about the potential for a Munster Final.
“This is new to us all so we can only rely on what has gone before. We won’t change anything from the county semi-finals and final and from last weekend’s game. We will stick to what is working for us in our preparation and hopefully that will be enough to get us through. A Munster Final would be something else for us all and all our supporters, but there is a long way to go yet.”
Hennessey will lead his charges out this Sunday confident that they are in a good position to make the most out of one of the best season’s in the club’s long and illustrious history but in their way, will be the Tipp champions looking to take what would be a serious scalp for their county.
The prolific full forward John Hassett will likely be a big thorn in the Fermoy side with his unerring accuracy from frees bound to rack up something of a serious tally.
Players of the quality of Louis Everard and Jason Bergin will also cause problems for Fermoy with Pearse Meade and Diarmuid Leahy serious defenders for the Tipp champions.
All in all, this will be a fair tussle with the bookies fancying the Cork side however on the day, far from home, this one has the potential to be as tough a game as Fermoy have been involved in this year. Having said all that, still fancy the Avondhu side to see this one through.
Verdict: Fermoy