Cork GAA previews: St Finbarr's-Castlehaven to be the game of the championship again?

HARD-FOUGHT: Castlehaven's Jamie O'Driscoll is tackled by Clonakilty's Liam O'Donovan during their Cork Premier SFC clash. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Bon Secours Cork GAA football previews 

Saturday

SAFC semi-finals Newmarket v Newcestown, Páirc Uí Chaoimh (R Whelan), 3pm 

Can Newcestown’s busy dual operators add a Senior A football final appearance to the Senior A hurling final ticket purchased last weekend? Whereas they are playing a 10th game in 11 weekends, Newmarket had the last month to themselves. They’ll certainly be fresher. Hugh O’Connor, Ben O’Connor, Conor O’Keeffe, Mikey Cottrell, and Ryan O’Keeffe from a balanced Newmarket outfit will keep the questions fired at their opponents.

Verdict: Newmarket. 

Dohenys v Knocknagree, Páirc Uí Chaoimh (D Murnane), 5pm 

Knocknagree are on the hunt for back-to-back county final appearances and the opportunity to atone for last year’s decider defeat. Their opponents, who were the only team in this grade to win all three group games, beat them by eight at the quarter-final post in 2021. The durability of the Knocknagree defence will be thoroughly tested by Dohenys’ Keith White, Mark Buckley, Fionn Herlihy, and Colm O’Shea.

Verdict: Knocknagree. 

Premier IFC semi-final Kilshannig v Bantry Blues, Coachford (Peter O’Leary), 5pm 

2022 Intermediate A champions Kilshannig are chasing a Premier Intermediate final place at the first attempt. Kieran Twomey, Tom Cunningham, Ciaran O’Sullivan, and the O’Hanlon brothers are the lead actors who can make it happen. Ruairi Deane hasn’t featured for Bantry in their last two games because of injury. They’ll require his energy and incisive runs here.

Verdict: Kilshannig. 

IAFC semi-final Mitchelstown v Adrigole, Kilmurry (Pat O’Leary) 5pm 

Mitchelstown won’t want to fall at the same fence two years running. They’re aiming to reach a third final in four seasons. Cork senior Cathail O’Mahony was a 16th minute withdrawal during their most recent outing four weeks ago. Given his injury history, it remains to be seen what involvement he has here. Regular Adrigole top-scorer David Harrington will drive the challenge from Beara, but needs support.

Verdict: Mitchelstown. 

Premier JFC semi-final St Finbarr’s v Urhan, Rossmore (N Hayes), 5pm 

The Barrs’ second team are bidding to get the weekend off to a winning start for the Togher club. Alan Elphick and Ben Sullivan, Urhan’s key score-getters in their quarter-final win over Millstreet, will spearhead the club’s bid for a first adult county final appearance in 31 years.

Verdict: Urhan. 

SUNDAY

Premier SFC semi-finals Nemo Rangers v Duhallow, Páirc Uí Chaoimh (J Ryan), 2pm 

If the Duhallow runners from deep of Shane Hickey, Darragh Cashman, Seamus Hickey, and Conor O’Callaghan are tracked or stopped altogether, the division will require more than Luke Murphy and Donncha O’Connor firing in the opposition half. The Duhallow defence did a fine job in shunting to the margins the playmaking and point-taking of Sean Powter in the quarter-final. But the lack of other Douglas threats meant they could zone in on Powter. Here, Mark Cronin, Luke Connolly, Paul Kerrigan, and Conor Horgan have to be policed, not to mind the experienced and emerging talents coming off the bench.

Verdict: Nemo Rangers. 

St Finbarr’s v Castlehaven, Páirc Uí Chaoimh (P O’Driscoll), 4pm 

The game of the weekend, with the potential to once again be the game of the championship. This is the fourth consecutive season the Barrs and Haven meet at the semi-final. It is currently 2-1 to the Barrs, who are looking to make it three wins on the trot. Steven Sherlock returns to their line-up after missing the final group game. He, Brian Hayes, Ethan Twomey, and Ian Maguire’s marauding runs from midfield can pick gaps in the opposition defence, as Clon did in the first half of their narrow group defeat to the Haven. At the other end, Jack Cahalane and Michael Hurley have been showing so well for Castlehaven. Fed by Brian Hurley and the smarts of Mark Collins, they too will find and exploit space. In essence, we should be in for another front foot, high scoring semi.

Verdict: St Finbarr’s. 

Premier SFC relegation play-off replay Carrigaline v Mallow, Blarney (D Daly), 3pm 

Will Carrigaline be made to rue missing their chance the last day? They’ll have been disappointed at their failure to hold onto a five-point advantage. Conversely, Mallow will mine confidence and momentum from having earned themselves a second shot at survival. Can Ryan Harkin, Seán McDonnell, and Seán Hayes point them to safety?

Verdict: Mallow. 

PIFC semi-final Castletownbere v Cill na Martra, Wolfe Tone Park, Bantry (J Regan), 3pm 

Cill na Martra are attempting to avoid the heartbreak of a fourth consecutive semi-final defeat. The manner of their come-from-behind quarter-final win over Iveleary, led by Ciarán Ó Duinnín, Dan Ó Duinnín, and Tadhg Corkery, suggests they are primed to end this last-four losing streak. That said, they can’t give Castletownbere the headstart they gave Iveleary. Castletownbere’s Gary Murphy and James Harrington can’t fill their scoresheet alone.

Verdict: Cill na Martra.

Cill na Martra IAFC relegation playoff Ballinora v Glenville, Riverstown (B Coniry), 3pm 

Verdict: Ballinora.