Cahalane embarks on 25th senior season

IF ever a player epitomises what his club means to him it’s Niall Cahalane.

Now well into the twilight of an illustrious career, the former Cork stalwart will begin his 25th senior championship season with Castlehaven tomorrow when they play Clonakilty in Skibbereen (3.30pm) and is looking forward to the challenge as if it was his first.

“The club is where it all started and where it will all end for me,” said Cahalane. “I enjoy travelling back home at every opportunity to play, and the fact that tomorrow’s game is something of a local derby, will only add to the occasion.”

During a quarter of a century of county championship football, Cahalane has won two senior, two U21s and three Munster Club medals, but missed out on the All-Ireland Club.

“I’d still love to win more if that’s possible, but it’s getting a bit harder now trying to keep up with some of the younger lads.”

Tomorrow’s fixtures:

Castlehaven v Clonakilty at Skibbereen, 3.30pm.

ROSSA Park in Skibbereen should be bursting at the seams for this West Cork derby clash.

Both clubs are former winners and would love to get back to the top flight. The Haven look the better balanced side.

The availability of Bernie Collins, coupled with the experience of Niall Cahalane, Brian Collins, and the youthful enthusiasm of David Burns and Paudie Herlihy should be good enough.

However, Clon won’t need any promptings from team coach Eoin O’Mahony for this one, and if Conrad Murphy, Brian Murphy and team captain Nigel Hayes measure up, they could cause an upset.

Verdict: Castlehaven.

Douglas v Newcestown, at Ballygarvan, 3.30pm.

DOUGLAS have been raising a few eyebrows this season with a couple of important results and have built their senior team around their U21 side, through to the city championship final.

Ronan McCarthy is having a very steady influence along with David McSweeney and Willie Coveney, while John Farrell, Fergal O’Sullivan, and former county minor Gary McLoughlin lead the way in attack.

Newcestown will be tough opponents, and while football wouldn’t be the number code in the club, they won the IFC two years ago and won two rounds of the senior championship last year.

Midfield will be the key area and here the West Cork side will look to Dan McCarthy to shade it for them.

Jim O’Sullivan, Kevin Long, Pádraig Condon and current county minor Hugh Curran are others who won’t let the side down.

Verdict: Douglas.

Clyda Rovers v Ballincollig, at Donoughmore, 3.30 p.m.

SINCE reaching the semi-finals against Nemo Rangers three years ago, Clyda have fallen back a bit. This year their cause isn’t helped by the eventual retirement of Mick O’Shea, who gave his club all he had and then some.

Current league form hasn’t been good, but they do possess excellent players in Cormac Sullivan, Paudie Kissane, Robert Walsh, Derry Cronin and Padraig O’Mullane and will trouble Ballincollig.

Ballincollig are in the process of team building and with some exciting youngsters in current county minors Colin Weste and Colm Cronin, while they can also call on the experience of county senior John Miskella, Eddie Burke, and Podsie O’Mahony.

Verdict: Clyda.

Aghada v Mallow, at Rathcormack, 3pm.

MALLOW have made a very good start to the season with a couple of important league victories to their credit.

However, championship is a different kettle of fish, and Aghada will provide the north Corkmen with a searching test.

36-year-old Ronan Sheehan continues to show the way in attack, and with Austin Aherne, Mick O’Donovan, Kevin McCarthy, Tadhg O’Riordan and the Kerrisk brothers Diarmuid and Clive currently in excellent form, a Mallow win is very much on the cards.

The East Cork club can point to a Munster Club league title success last year, which will have boosted confidence no end. James O’Connell, Pierce O’Neill, Paul Kilbane and Brendan O’Flaherty will spearhead their challenge, but it will hardly be good enough.

Verdict: Mallow.

The IFC clash of Nemo Rangers and Ballinora fixed for Bishopstown tomorrow has been transferred to Ballygarvan with a 2pm throw-in.

Champions Nemo will be fancied to get their defence off to a winning start.