Byrne the biggest casualty of three-month delay

MANAGERS of the various teams involved have all talked about the ridiculous situation they’ve found themselves in, in waiting almost three months to play, and there has been at least one casualty as a result.

Former county senior player Michael Byrne has opted out of the scene for Killeagh citing the lack of regular competition.

Byrne was seen as a great prospect for Cork two years ago, but after playing in the opening round of this year’s championship against Midleton back in May, he has walked away from the game because of the huge delay, and is a massive loss to his club as they face Glen Rovers on Saturday night in Carrigtwohill (7pm).

Because of the desire to progress the competition speedily, followers are spoiled for choice as games have been fixed more or less at the same time but at different venues. The battle of the Blues, St. Finbarrs and Ballinhassig, takes place at Pairc Uí Rinn on tonight at 7pm with the issue wide open here.

Barrs are concerned about the fitness of Pat Cronin who has a groin injury, and Eoin Pól O’Callaghan who picked up a head injury in a Munster senior league game against Bruree.

Both are extremely doubtful.

Team spokesman Donal Whooley said preparation has been disrupted by the lack of certainty about the fixture and players going on holidays.

“It’s been very difficult on us and the rest of the clubs and something has to be done to avoid a repetition. We’ll have fierce respect for Ballinhassig. They have a lot of players with inter-county experience and it was only 18 months ago that they contested the All-Ireland intermediate hurling final. We’ll do our best and hopefully that will be good enough.”

Both clubs lost their opening game but recovered to win round two. ‘Barrs had the more difficult match seeing off Douglas by a point while Ballinhassig beat Bishopstown by three.

Ballinhassig have no injury problems and according to team manager Jimmy O’Callaghan, are eagerly looking forward to the challenge.

“We have a very committed group of players, young and eager to learn. Our preparation has been good, but it’s all on the night.”

With players of the calibre of Martin Coleman, Brendan Lombard, Dareen Dineen, his brother Stephen, Mick Aherne and Paul Lombard in their side, Ballinhassig will probably start as slight favourites, but it’s when the chips are down that Barrs are at their most dangerous.

Glen Rovers are injury free going into their game against Killeagh in Carrigtwohill (7pm) but team coach Tomas Mulcahy is concerned about the long lay off and what effect it will have.

“We have managed to play a lot of games, but you need the competitive element to sharpen players. The Glen are currently in transition, looking to build a solid senior team on the backs of winning two county minor titles in recent years.

“There isn’t any history between ourselves and Killeagh. We’ll be taking nothing for granted. It’s one step at a time for us.”

There is no history between the clubs in the championship and this will be their first meeting. Killeagh have had a good league campaign and will be hoping that Joe Deane, Brendan Barry, Bernard Rochfort, and the long serving Mark Landers and Kieran Scully can swing it for them.

Bride Rovers are another club who will take nothing for granted when they face Cork IT in Riverstown on Saturday night at 7pm. The students are capable of fielding a very strong side which should include a number of county U-21 players.

The Rovers, first round winners over St. Finbarrs by a massive 10 points, have the benefit of being together on a regular basis, and if the Murphy brothers Brian, Pádraig, Barry and James, Barry Johnson, Brendan Walsh and goalkeeper Denis Fitzgerald hit form, they should make the last eight.

The final game of the weekend is the clash of St. Catherines and Avondhu on Sunday night in Fermoy at 6.30pm The club side shocked Blackrock in round two and won’t have any fears against the divisional team which will pick from intermediate clubs Dromina, Milford, Mallow, Kilworth, Ballyhea and strong junior clubs Charleville, Ballygiblin, Shanballymore and Liscarroll. It may be a bridge too far for the club side if Avondhu have put in the preparation.