Bandon and Kanturk to fight it out

BANDON will be seeking to qualify for the county JFC final for the first time since 1975 while Kanturk are in pursuit of their first ever appearance in that decider when the two sides clash in the Cork JFC semi-final in Páirc Uí Rinn tonight at 7.45pm.

Both clubs have been knocking on the door in recent years with Bandon lifting the Carbery title for the third time in five campaigns last month while Kanturk won their second Duhallow crown in three years this season.

After their intermediate hurling triumph, Bandon will have had their football skills sharpened by the recent two-game saga in the county quarter-final against St Finbarr’s, with James O’Donovan, Cork minor Mark Sugrue, Donough Lucey, Darren Crowley and James Milner impressing.

Kanturk got the better of East Cork champions Glenbower Rovers at the quarter-final stage with Aidan Walsh, who departs for Australia with the Irish International Rules squad tomorrow, Donough Duane, Anthony Nash, John Healy and Lorcan McLoughlin all in excellent form.

In the event of a draw tonight, extra-time will be played, with the winners facing Mitchelstown or Clyda Rovers, who clash next Sunday in the other semi-final.

The Red FM Cork senior hurling league reaches the semi-final stage tonight with a double-header in Fermoy seeing Ballymartle face Sarsfields at 6.30pm and Newtownshandrum taking on Midleton, throw-in at 8pm.