Cork previews: Can Barr's recapture last year's form to overcome Midleton
SEMI-FINALS: Players from this weekends Co Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC semi finals at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, from left, Billy Hennessy, St. Finbarr's; Mikey Finn, Midleton; Mike Kelly, Imokilly and Daniel Hogan, Sarsfields . Pic: Eddie O'Hare
Cork senior Robbie O’Flynn didn’t line out for the Erin’s Own seniors this summer because of injury, making him eligible for this semi-final fixture. While he’s not expected to start, he’ll be an option off the bench.
Verdict: Erin’s Own.
Ballincollig had five to spare when they met in the group stages last year. To repeat that result they’ll need to cut down on the influence of Eoin Carey, Michael Sheehan, and Noel McNamara, and the supply of ball going into the latter pair.
Verdict: Ballincollig.
A repeat of last year’s high-scoring semi-final, which Castlemartyr won 2-24 to 3-17. Anthony Spillane is again due home from Dubai to lend a hand for Castlelyons. As well as revenge, they’re searching for a third final appearance in four years. But will the Lawtons, Kellys, Joe Stack, and Ciarán Joyce again outshine them?
Verdict: Castlemartyr.
Contrasting build-ups. Carrigtwohill had the last four weeks to themselves. Newcestown’s dual contingent, meanwhile, are facing into a ninth game in 10 weekends. Their most recent - last Sunday’s Senior A football quarter-final - had the added fatigue of going all the way to penalties. When does such a schedule begin to take its toll?
Verdict: Carrigtwohill.
Bride Rovers v Blarney, Páirc Uà Chaoimh, 6pm.
Alan McEvoy and Denis McSweeney - the latter a member of Cork’s All-Ireland winning U20 panel - departed Blarney’s quarter-final early doors because of injury. Both are serious doubts for Saturday evening. Mark Coleman hasn’t played more than half an hour since his return, so it’ll be no surprise if he's again held in reserve. After falling at this fence in 2021 and ‘22, third time fortunate for Bride Rovers?
Verdict: Bride Rovers.
If the weather allows, this has the potential to be a shootout. Both teams carry loaded attacks and both prefer when the fare is open and loose. Imokilly boss Denis Ring won’t know who he has available to him until all injury reports come through from the different club games involving East Cork teams. Imokilly, through no fault of their own, have yet to be properly tested. Sars, by contrast, found out a great deal about themselves during the dour quarter-final triumph over Blackrock.
Diarmuid O’Sullivan’s involvement as coach has seen the Sars forwards embrace the duties that don’t involve taking aim at the opposition posts, but they’ll need more than two starting forwards scoring from play, as was the case against the Rockies. Their 2-21 group average says they are more than capable of collectively correcting that stat.
Verdict: Sars.
Is this the afternoon the Barr’s finally click and recapture the form hit enroute to glory 12 months ago? There were glimpses in the second half against Charleville but not enough to confidently forecast a return here to their brilliant 2022 heights.
Do they need to click? Or could they again get by on Ben Cunninham's prolific raising of white flags, and a scattering of points from William Buckley, Jack and Conor Cahalane, and a typical moment of Brian Hayes brilliance in front of goal?
Pa White came in for the injured Conor Lehane during Midleton’s Round 3 win over Blackrock. Lehane is due to return to the starting line up tomorrow, but White was so prominent against Blackrock that it might be another forward that loses out. Did the four-week match layoff suit them or stem their group momentum?
Verdict: St Finbarr’s.
The delay to this fixture caused by a playoff in Group C has worked kindly for Duhallow as there is no doubling up for their players, as would have been the case had this game been played in its original slot last weekend. Douglas have an injury concern in goalkeeper Cian O’Leary, he failed to finish the St Michael’s win. If the city men can overcome the fourth quarter switch off they are prone to and keep an inside line of Shane Kingston, Sean Powter, and Conor Russell well fed, they can secure a second semi-final showing in three years.
Verdict: Douglas.
Previews: Eoghan Cormican
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