Duhallow await winners of UCC and Carbery clash

DUHALLOW enter the Co. Premier Senior Football Championship with a meeting against Carbery or UCC on Sunday evening in the Divisional/Colleges Final. An intended semi-final against Beara scheduled for Wednesday evening fell by the wayside, the peninsula side unable to field owing to a growing injury list after a hectic programme of late.

Off course Duhallow reached the previous two county finals only to emerge runners up to both St Finbarrs and Nemo Rangers. Given unprecedented times coupled with a raft of club fixtures over recent weeks and injuries picked up, Duhallow preparations are limited.

That said, the Duhallow management of Padraig Kearns, James Condon, Cormac

Linehan, William O’Leary and Pat Gayer have assembled a panel mixed with both experience and exciting talent.

Familiar faces such as Donncha O’Connor, Paul Walsh, Eoghan McSweeney, Fintan O’Connor and Kevin Cremin are involved as are All Ireland medalists from last season, Danny Linehan (Castlemagner), Shane Hickey (Millstreet), Gerry O’Sullivan (Boherbue) and Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree) with Conor O’Callaghan (Dromtariffe) also featuring.

It goes without saying, Duhallow face a tall order on Sunday, either UCC or Carbery will present a formidable test who were scheduled to play on Wednesday evening. Earlier this week, Duhallow faced a strong College team in hurling and if that’s any indication, their football counterparts will bring plenty of talent.

Carbery cannot be discounted, a big focus on the divisional team since the start of the year with a number of organised training sessions and challenge games played prior to and subsequent easing of pandemic restrictions.

Whoever emerges from the UCC and Carbery contest will have the benefit of a competitive game and Duhallow will need to settle into the proceedings pretty quickly if they harbour hopes of entering the county championship proper.

Hopes of a favourable return by Duhallow hurlers ended on a disappointing outcome yet creditable performance on a defeat by UCC in the Co Premier SHC Divisional/Colleges semi-final. Indeed Duhallow acquitted themselves admirably, adding to an enjoyable encounter yet there was no disputing UCC progress to a decider against reigning champions Imokilly.

All involved with Duallow deserve credit for their work put in since early in the year and though the pandemic impacted, their remained a willingness by all involved to fly the divisional flag.

Credit are extended to the players, coach Eddie Murphy and selectors comprising Robert Stack, John Cremin and Michael Walsh.

At domestic level, the E Tarrant & Sons Skoda Dealer JAHC has advanced, a

Group Format in place with just one team emerging from each group to the Final. Kilbrin look well positioned having bettered Castlemagner and Kanturk yet a meeting with Banteer is crucial.

Meanwhile from Group 2, the outcome to the big clash of Dromtariffe and Newmarket will determine the divisional final placing.

From the Castlecor Potatoes JAFC, the meeting of Cullen and Castlemagner will determine one finalist with Cullen in the driving seat from results todate in the Group format.

On the opposite side, Boherbue look well positioned yet Kiskeam will attempt to upset the formbook in the concluding qualifier.