Cork previews: Nemo and Barr's to start on right note

It remains to be seen what involvement Brian Hayes and Ethan Twomey have for the Barr;s given their involvement in Sunday’s extra-time epic, particularly Hayes who lasted the 100 or so minutes.

Fri, 26 Jul, 2024 - 06:57

Eoghan Cormican

Cork county football championship previews (all games 7.45pm)

Premier SFC

Group A

Nemo Rangers v Ballincollig, Ballymaw (J Bermingham)

A first championship outing as manager for new Nemo boss Robbie O’Dwyer. Defeat in the recent Division 1 League decider against Carrigaline is not how they’d have liked to finish preparations heading into this latest Andy Scannell assault.

Ballincollig’s Luke Fahy has put the hamstring injury which cut short his summer in red behind him and will be their driving force in a repeat of the 2023 group opener which Nemo won by 11. Liam O’Connell and Cian Kiely are both abroad and therefore absent for Ballincollig.

Verdict: Nemo Rangers

Newcestown v Eire Og, Cloughduv (A O’Connor)

Éire Óg are without Joe Cooper who is currently abroad. Recent meetings suggest there won’t be much in this. Newcestown, under new manager Jim O'Sullivan, shaded the June league clash by a solitary point.

In 2022, Éire Óg relegated Newcestown with only two points to spare, while the margin was three in their favour in the group stages a year earlier.

Verdict: Newcestown

Group C

St Finbarr’s v Douglas, Carrigaline (D Murnane)

Long-term injuries to Billy Hennessy and Sam Ryan remove two key pillars from the Barrs' defence. It also remains to be seen what involvement Brian Hayes and Ethan Twomey have this evening given their involvement in Sunday’s extra-time epic, particularly Hayes who lasted the 100 or so minutes.

Douglas’ league campaign was not at all hectic and they were fortunate to avoid top-tier relegation. The Barr's had seven to spare in the group phase 12 months ago.

Verdict: St Finbarr’s

Valley Rovers v Mallow, Glenville (P O’Driscoll)

Haven't met in championship since 2022, a fixture Mallow won on a comprehensive 2-11 to 0-7 scoreline.

This will be no double-digit affair. Mallow, albeit without main man Mattie Taylor, will probably have been disappointed not to extricate themselves from Division 3.

Valleys weren't far off promotion in Division 2.

Verdict: Valley Rovers

Cork SAFC

Group B

Dohenys v Kanturk, Macroom (J Ryan)

Two teams with serious aspirations of silverware and top table promotion. Dohenys went right to the last day in 2024, while Kanturk gave the greatest challenge to eventual champions Newcestown at the quarter-final stage.

Kanturk enter the championship off the back of Division 3 League success. Dohenys finished midtable in the second tier.

Verdict: Kanturk

Cork IAFC

Group B

Mitchelstown v St Vincent’s, Rathcormac (C McAllister)

Verdict: Mitchelstown

Group C

Na Piarsaigh v Boherbue, Glantane (A Hyland)

Verdict: Boherbue

Cork PJFC

Group B

Kinsale v Ballydesmond, Donoughmore (L Knight)