All the action from closing stages of the county championships
Kilworth v Fr O’Neills Saturday, November 12 Pairc Ui Rinn, Cork at 7.30
away from one of the most prestigious titles in Cork hurling but they will need to put in their best performance of the year if they are to get their hands on the prize.
Premier Intermediate Hurling has long been seen as one of the toughest tests in the county so to make it to the showpiece game is an achievement in itself however few in Kilworth will be happy with just making the final particularly considering the opposition that will be facing them this Saturday evening.
Fr O’Neills have become something of a nemesis for Kilworth after dumping them out of the championship in each of the last two seasons, and while this weekend’s final is just a two-horse race the pre-match view among many will be that O’Neills are far in a way the more likely winners and Kilworth will have it all to do to take the spoils.
Kilworth come into this one on the back of a pretty impressive championship campaign blasting past Valley Rovers by eight points on their first outing.
Carrigaline were next on the chopping block in a high scoring encounter that saw the victors taking the spoils with a hefty 25-point tally.
Semi-final surprise package Inniscarra did well to keep Kilworth to within seven but ultimately failed to live up to Avondhu side’s goal scoring threat going down on a score line of 2-16 to 0-15.
This weekend’s opponents have been hugely impressive on their way to the final with a big win over Ballincollig on the opening day followed with a five goal demolition of title fancied Fermoy in Round 3.
Fr O’Neills had seven to spare over Watergrasshill in the last eight and while they had to battle hard to see off Blarney in the last four, the win was still hugely significant for the men in green and red.
Kilworth will look to the likes of Jamie Sheehan, Colm Casey, Noel McNamaraand Brian Tobin for scores this Saturday with Keeper Kieran Walsh there to keep the green flags firmly in their holster.
Eoin Carey will likely stand in front of the half backs which is where Nathan Byrne is likely to do his best work. Seán Keane and Will Condon will bring plenty to the attacking party for a side well capable of racking up a serious tally if things go their way.
For the East Cork side Declan Dalton will again be the star performer with the cork star enjoying his best season to date for both club and county.
Dalton has been magnificent in every game to date with his stand out displays coming in Round 3 against Fermoy and in the semi-final win over Blarney.
Dalton will be right up for this one but this is far from a one man show with Billy Dunne, Dan Harrington and Pádraig MacMahon also likely to have a big say in where the silverware goes.
Keeper Colin Sloane will also need to be on his game as Kilworth have shown on more than one occasion that they are more than capable of bagging majors when needed.
From the bench, O’Neills may be able to call upon proven score getters such as Cillian Broderick and Liam O’Driscoll and in a game of this magnitude the players coming in will be as important as those chosen to start.
VERDICT: The bookies say Fr O’Neills and most of the neutrals would agree, but Kilworth have all the attributes required to win this one, and if they play to the full extent of their capabilities then you can consider this one a 50-50 game.
The head says O’Neills and the local heart says Kilworth – 60 minutes on Saturday night should decide who are the Premier kings of Cork.