Avondhu have what it takes
COUNTY SHC Avondhu v Carbery Sunday May 7 Coachford 2.15
BASED on how these sides fared out last year, Avondhu would be entitled to fancy their chances of putting Carbery to the sword without too much bother.
Whereas Avondhu performed creditably in their opening two games against Ballymartle, which they won, and Bride Rovers, which they lost, before going under to CIT with a team that was decimated by injuries and defections, Carbery were completely outgunned by Glen Rovers and Ballymartle in their only two outings in 2016.
In view of Bandon’s graduation to senior ranks, Carbery ‘s squad will be even weaker this season, and it’s almost impossible to see them coping with the sort of quality that such as Charleville’s Darragh Fitzgibbon, Kildorrery’s Peter O’Brien, Milford’s Eoin Dillon, Fermoy’s Brian O’Sullivan and Mallow Pa Herlihy will bring to the table for Avondhu. Verdict: Avondhu
Muskerry v Bandon Sunday May 7 Coachford 3.30pm
ONE can never be quite sure what to expect from a divisional side first time out, but if Muskerry are in any sort of decent shape, they should have the measure of last year’s PIHC kingpins Bandon.
There is no denying Muskerry aren’t short on quality, with Blarney’s Mark Coleman and Joe Jordan, Grenagh’s Sean Bourke, Inniscarra’s Sean O’Donoghue and Colm Casey, and Éire Óg’s Kevin Hallissey and John Mullins comprising the nucleus of a formidable side.
Bandon will certainly enter the fray with a spring in their step as a result of the success they enjoyed in 2016, and they will be in with a genuine chance of making a positive start in senior ranks if such accomplished attackers as Michael Cahalane, Mark Sugrue, Darren Crowley and Ronan Crowley strike top form.
Providing Muskerry click as a unit, however, the likelihood is they will have what it takes to come out on top. Verdict: Muskerry
Ballyhea v Newcestown Sunday May 7 Coachford 4pm
BALLYHEA ran out winners by four points when these sides clashed in the PIHC final in 2014, but Newcestown gained promotion to senior ranks 12 months later.
It would be fair to say that both have found the going tough since graduating to the top flight, with the West-Cork men losing all three of their games last year, although they did take St Finbarr’s to extra time in Round 1.
Ballyhea, for their part, were well beaten by Blackrock and Newtownshandrum at either side of a victory over Carrigtwohill in Round 2B.
The likelihood is there will be little or nothing between them at the end of the hour in Coachford on Sunday when Pa O’Callaghan, Barry Coleman, Gavin Morrissey, Maurice O’Sullivan and Eugene O’Leary will have key roles to play for Ballyhea.
Nimbered among Newcestown’sleading lights are Luke Meade, Eoin Kelly, Daniel Twomey, Michael McSweeney and James
Bride Rovers v Glen Rovers Saturday May 6 Pairc Ui Rinn 8pm
BRIDE Rovers have been a tough nut to crack for any opposition in the SHC for quite some time now and they enjoyed another good run last year before bowing out to Douglas, 0-18 to 0-16, at the quarter-final stage.
Glen Rovers finished six points to the good over Douglas in the semi-final, and, currently the trail of a third county title on-the-trot, it’s generally accepted they will take a lot of stopping this year.
They would have to be fancied to make a positive start against Bride Rovers, especially if Patrick Horgan is firing on all cylinders in attack where Dean Brosnan and Conor Dorris are others capable of doing a lot of damage.
Elsewhere, Stephen McDonnell, Graham Callinan, Brian Moylan and Donal Cronin will have key roles to play for the holders. The evergreen Brian Murphy will most likely be detailed to keep tabs on Horgan, and their individual duel should be one of the game’s highlights.
Donncha Carr and Ryan Prendergast at the back, Barry Johnson at midfield, and Daniel Dooley, Michael Collins and Sean Ryan up front will also be expected to featured prominently in a Rathcormack side that can relied upon to give it everything in a bid to upset the odds.
Verdict: Glen Rovers
COUNTY PIHC Mallow v Courcey Rovers Saturday May 6 Ovens 7.30pm
HAVING made an impressive march to the semi finals, recovering from a first round defeat by Carrigaline to register comprehensive wins over Tracton and Watergrasshill before turning the tables on their Round 1 conquerors, Mallow were installed as favourites to go all the way last year.
They came a cropper at the penultimate hurdle, however, going under by a point to eventual champions Bandon, who grabbed a late goal to snatch the laurels from the North-Cork side’s grasp.
Mallow endured similar frustration at the semi final stage in 2015, succumbing by two points to title-winners Newcestown, so it’s easy to appreciate why they are expected to make another bold bid for glory in the campaign ahead.
Courcey Rovers’ only win in three outings last year came at the expense of Blarney in a relegation play-off, and they have clearly struggled to arrest their slide since being demoted from senior ranks in 2014.
They could hardly have been handed a more difficult opening assignment this year, but Mallow would be unwise to treat their challenge lightly at the same time.
With players like Sean Hayes, Kevin Sheehan, Killian O’Connor, Paul Lyons, Pa Herlihy and, Alec Luttrell on board, however, not to mention Cork senior Cormac Murphy, who, having been given little game-time in the recent National league, will be very anxious to lay down a marker ahead of the championship clash with Tipperary on May 27, Mallow look well-equipped to book a place in Round 2A
Verdict: Mallow