In-form Weste can steer Ballincollig to victory
WITH two splendid victories over Nemo and Castlehaven under their belts, Ballincollig will fancy their chances of maintaining their winning run.
Rovers were shocked in round one, but recovered to beat neighbours O’Donovan Rossa in round two and will have learned the good lesson.
Their team is vastly experienced, with two current county seniors in Kevin O’Sullivan and John Wycherley. Add in Diarmuid Duggan, Fachtna Collins and Michael O’Sullivan and you have a side more than capable of beating the best.
Ballincollig are also rich in intercounty experience. Stephen O’Donoghue, Patrick Kelly and Brian Cotter were all members of this year’s Under-21 side, while Michael Greene and Colin Weste were former county minors.
They are currently playing a very determined brand of football and, helped in no small way by the excellent form of Weste, will be difficult to stop. Because of their earlier rounds victories, Ballincollig will start slight favourites.
: A Ballincollig win.
: Ballymartle v Milford: Ballyhooley, 3.30pm.
THIS game is a repeat of last year and Ballymartle will be hoping the result will be the same, a victory for them. Backboned by the O’Dwyer brothers, Rory and Barry, their cousin Patrick, county minor Brian Corry and the experienced Noel Sheehan and Declan McCarthy, it’s hard to see the Carrigdhoun club slipping up.
Milford are always a good championship side but will be without Rory Villiers (broken finger) and Mark Sheehan (ankle injury) and with a limited pick, will find it hard to adequately fill the vacancies.
County U-21 player Eoin Dillon, Jimmy O’Brien, Ronan Geary and Paudie O’Brien will all start but it may be a bridge too for the Blues.
: A Ballymartle win.
: Clyda Rovers v Youghal: Fermoy, 7.30pm.
DOWN from senior ranks, Clyda’s chances of getting back this year have been dealt a blow by injury to two key players, Dylan O’Shea and Niall O’Mullane. Both suffered shoulder injuries in training.
Long serving Cormac O’Sullivan, Padraig O’Mullane and former county senior Paudie Kissane will provide the experience, with last year’s county minor Ray Carey adding a bit of youth to their challenge.
Youghal, who failed to Inniscarra in the hurling championship last week, have had little time to regroup, and it may work against them.
Incidentally there is no truth that county U-21 hurler Brendan Barry has transferred his allegiance to Youghal. Remains very much a Killeagh player.
: A Clyda win.
: Riverstown, 7.30pm.
BOTH clubs have been inactive for a while, which makes this game hard to call. The losers have one final chance to avoid the drop down to junior and, as a consequence, expect both teams to make a massive effort to stay up.
Cobh will be without Jonathan O’Mahony, who is on holidays, but Derek Barrett’s experience, allied to that of Martin O’Connor and Liam Greaney should ensure Cobh shade the issue.
: A Cobh win.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
