Glen Rovers shoulder the city’s hopes

Emerging from the Páirc Uí Chaoimh tunnel for their county quarter-final clash last September, Glen Rovers boss Richie Kelleher broke away from his squad to offer congratulations to the Na Piarsaigh management.

The northsiders had scored a comprehensive win over Newtownshandrum in the first of the afternoon’s double-header and the Glen Rovers manager was delighted to see Na Piarsaigh advance to the penultimate round. By 5.30pm, a third city team had been added to the semi-final bowl – Douglas having set the tone the previous Sunday.

“It is great to see three city teams still there,” said Kelleher in the wake of their quarter-final win over Ballymartle. “There is great rivalry there, but I always support the city teams.” Cork hurling enthusiasts licked their lips at the prospect of the Séan Óg Murphy Cup residing in the city for the first time since the winter of 2004.