Carrigtwohill and Watergrasshill can reach IHC decider

THE RACE for the Evening Echo Premier Cork County IHC honours enters its penultimate stage, with two potentially cracking semi-finals at Pairc Ui Rinn this evening.

Ballymartle v Carrigtwohill, 6.30pm.

According to Ballymartle’s Anthony Cummins: “This will be a very hard, open and clean game of hurling. Indeed it has all the making of a classic confrontation because both are fine exponents of hurling.

“By virtue of the fact that they lost narrowly to Bishopstown in last season’s decider, and with two Cork seniors Niall McCarthy and Jason Barrett in their side, Carrigtwohill will start as favourites — but if we hurl to our full potential, we will be there or thereabouts.”

Ballymartle, who defeated Argideen Rangers and Courcey Rovers in the previous rounds report a clean bill of health and if seasoned campaigners like Ger Cummins and the two sets of Dwyer brothers — Rory and Barry and Dan and Pat — perform at the peak of their powers, Carrigtwohill will certainly know they have been in a match.

Carrigtwohill, conquerors of Aghada and Aghabullogue en-route to the semi-final, also have no injury problems and according to Sean Buckley, realise they will be up against it. “Ballymartle have had a great run over the past two years and beat us in the league early on.

“We expect them to come at us with all guns blazing and we will have to be on our toes to match fire with fire.”

Big performances from McCarthy, Farrell and White could swing it in Carrigtwohill’s favour but it is tough to call.

Watergrasshill v Blarney, 8pm

IMOKILLY star Paudie Cahill has still not recovered from a groin strain and is not expected to start for Watergrasshill. Despite his absence ‘The Hill will still take some beating.

Indeed, in reaching their first semi-final in this grade, Watergrasshill have been going great guns with superb victories over Mallow and Youghal before the demolition of Ballyhea.

Club official Jerome Buttimer said, “Things have been going well for us up to now but we know Blarney will give us a very hard game. We beat them in the league but championship is an entirely different kettle of fish.”

Blarney lost their opening game to Aghabullogue but came thundering back with successive victories over Aghada and Tracton and with a full- strength panel, will go into this game brimful of confidence.

Club spokesman Stephen O’Brien said: “In light of Watergrasshill’s great display against Ballyhea, in particular, we are under no illusions as to the magnitude of the task that confronts us but we are certainly not without hope.”

Blarney, spearheaded by James Hughes, John Hurley, goalkeeper Ronan Byrne and Joe Jordan, lost to Carrigtwohill in the same stage of the competition last year and will be hoping to go one better on this occasion.

But a repeat of the quarter-final performance from team captain Paddy O’Regan and company should edge it in Watergrasshill’s favour.