Kilworth favourites but must perform
Kilworth v Inniscarra
FOR many the surprise package in this season’s PIHC has to be Inniscarra. The mid-Cork side have done really so far seeing off perennial favourites Mallow in Round 3 after performing a demolition job on Ballinhassig in Round 2.
There was one blip on the Inniscarra copybook this season and that was their opening day loss to Watergrasshill, but few paid any heed to that result when they booked their place in the last four with a two point win over Castlelyons.
On the opposite side of the pitch this time is Kilworth who came flying from the traps in their opening PIHC game this season seeing off Valley Rovers by eight all of five months ago. The manner of the win had many feeling that this could be a side in the mix come the final moments of this season’s competition and that feeling was shown to be spot on when the Avondhu side despatched Carrigaline in the Quarter Finals notching up 1-25 albeit they did concede four goals to a side that could have been put away earlier.
Kilworth will again look to the likes of Dave Twomey, Eoin Carey, Liam Whelan, Will Condon and Brian Tobin for their scores and all five have shown they are well capable of doing the business when required while Noel McNamara will likely be the main talisman for Kilworth.
On the opposition benches Michael Coleman likely to be a key figure with Cork star Sean O’Donoghue likely to be back from the injury that saw him depart the quarter final early. Inniscarra showed plenty of character in that quarter final and after losing a host of players early to injury they deservedly took the spoils.
Both sides will be happy to have made it this far however both will now know that they are 60 minutes plus away from what could be an historic day for their respective clubs. Inniscarra should really go into this one with a nothing to lose attitude and if they can play to their full potential and not freeze on the day they definitely have a chance.
Kilworth will be favourites here and may well win, but if they show anything other than their best, on what is likely to be a greasy pitch, they will lose.