Duhallow teams eyeing up tickets for places in county finals
WITH an autumn feel to the weather, there remains a competitive edge to October gaelic games with the business end reached and championship aspirations will be realised in the next few weeks.
Teams from the North West barony are right there in the mix to add to the excitement. The divisional senior footballers seek a return to a Co. SFC decider yet Newcestown are certain to be doughty opponents in a semi final at Pairc Uí Rinn on Sunday.
Equally intriguing on the opposite side with a city flavour, neighbours Nemo Rangers and Douglas sure to offer a competitive battle. Also creating interest is the Co. Premier IFC, Kanturk’s impressive victory over Cill na Martra sets up a semi final date with St. Michaels. On the opposite side Bantry Blues and Éire Óg grabbed key wins over Bandon and Beál Ath’n Ghaoirthaidh to secure semi final berths.
This Premier IFC is a big competition, the Cork winners enter the Munster championship.
Of course, there is a familiar Duhallow involvement in the Co. IFC with three of the four remaing sides coming from the division. In many ways, its work in progress from the sides remaining involved, all four have enjoyed Co. JAFC triumphs from recent years.
Dromtariffe performed the homework to improve considerably from a stalemate draw and land a fully deserved victory over Ballydesmond to advance to meet Gabriel Rangers in a semi final to the Coachford staging.
Meanwhile, Knocknagree fresh from an impressive victory over Aghabullogue earn a ticket to the penultimate hurdle and a meeting against Millstreet in the all Duhallow clash in Kanturk on Saturday week.
Hopes of Duhallow involvement in the Co. JAFC is over, a surprise defeat for Boherbue
by newcomers St. James ends their hopes for another season. However, from the Co. JBFC, Kiskeam followed up on landing a Duhallow title to better Kilshannig to advance to a semi final against St. Michaels.
Newmarket remain involved in the Co. JAHC, a first round win over Tracton followed up on a victory over Brian Dillons secures an attractive semi final date with Russell Rovers. And Freemount obtained a bye to the Co. JBHC last four where they will keeping check on the outcome to the Aghabullogue and Bantry Blues quarter final to determine their opponents in the semi final that will take a few weeks to resolve. Semi-final line up in the various grades
Co. SFC
Duhallow v Newcestown, Nemo Rangers v Douglas Co. Premier IFC
Kanturk v St. Michaels, Bantry Blues v Eire Óg
Co. IFC
Dromtariffe v Gabriel Rangers, Millstreet v Knocknagree Co. JAFC
St James v St. Michaels/Kilworth/Ballymartle; Kilshannig v Iveleary/Ballinasacarthy
Co. JBFC
Kiskeam v St. Michaels,
Co. JAHC
Newmarket v Russell Rovers; Ballinascarthy v Carrig na bhFear.
Co. JBHC
Freemount v Aghabullogue/Bantry Blues; Douglas/Ballymartle v Aghada/Ballyhea Bride Rovers v Goleen