Play out intriguing contest

year, they will certainly enter the fray with the more compelling credentials, and it would have to go down as a big upset should they fail to deliver the goods.

Liam Jennings, Ian Coughlan, Rob Bourke, David Bowen and Colin Moore will be expected to play leading roles for the raging hot favourites.

Verdict: Ballincollig advance, especially if the likes of Matthew Bradley, John Corkery, David Moynihan, John Buckley, Ian Barry-Murphy and Michael Dennehy play to their potential

Verdict: Aghabullogue

At the same time, it would be fair to say they are quite capable of improving on what they produced in 2016, given that, with players like Seanie O’Connell, Henry O’Gorman, Anthony Watson, Cillian O’Gorman, Patrick Watson and former Cork senior Eoin Dillon on board, they possess the nucleus of a useful side.

To what extent developments last year have diminished their confidence and morale remains to be seen, but their desire to restore their dented pride must also be factored in when it comes to assessing how they are likely to shape up against Midleton’s second team.

With a preliminary round victory over Grenagh under the belt, the East-Cork Magpies will enter the fray with a spring in their step, and they have to be respected, but Milford’s motivation will surely know no bounds, which could prove decisive.

Verdict: Milford