Dohenys fancied to edge west Cork derby date

THE fourth round of the Evening Echo Cork SFC begins tonight with the all west Cork meeting of Dohenys and Carbery Rangers in Rossmore at 7.30pm.

Carbery Rangers lost their two opening games before beating Na Piarsaigh to stay in the title race. Dohenys, on the other hand, lost round one to Clonakilty before seeing off the challenge of Naomh Aban in round two to keep their title hopes alive.

Carbery Rangers are currently joint second in the league while Dohenys are in sixth position, with the two teams having drawn their league encounter. However, league form goes out the window in the heat of a championship battle. The Rosscarbery side, backed by Cork senior John Hayes, will put up a tremendous battle but Dohenys could edge this.

Meanwhile, there is also action tonight in fourth round at premier intermediate level, with Ballinora and Newcestown coming face to face in Ovens at 7.30pm.

Ballinora caused the shock of this championship by beating Bantry Blues in round one with a late goal, while Newcestown had two points to spare over Clyda Rovers in their opener.

Better known as a hurling club, football has come on by leaps and bounds in Newcestown and they were a senior team less than six years ago. If Cathrach Keane was fully fit you’d have to fancy them, but he’s unlikely to play and is a major loss. Coupled with the added distraction of hurling, they may fall between two stools trying to play the two at this level and Ballinora could advance.

Meanwhile, Pat Roe says he’s hoping for a case of third time lucky with regard to his candidacy for the post of Laois football manager. Roe has twice previously allowed his name to be thrown into the O’Moore County hat, only to experience disappointment when Liam Kearns and Sean Dempsey got the nod from Laois Board chiefs in 2006 and 2008, respectively.

But he didn’t allow that scenario to colour his reaction when officials of his club, The Heath, sought permission from the former Carlow, Wexford and Offaly manager to nominate him for the position left vacant after Dempsey’s services were dispensed with in the wake of this year’s championship defeats by Meath and Tipperary.

“I think that anyone who has managed at inter-county level would consider it a huge honour to manage his own county. I got great enjoyment and satisfaction from managing Carlow, Wexford and Offaly, but managing your own county is something special.

“So that is why I allowed my name to be put in the hat. I learned a lot during my time with Carlow, Wexford and Offaly, and I’d be able to put that to good use if the county board do decide to give me the job. I don’t know if the board have decided on a date by which they will make their decision. I’m sure they will take their time, and go through the whole process very methodically and carefully.”