Castlehaven top seeds in Cork Premier SFC knockouts as Barrs avoid doomsday scenario

The stakes were huge in the match-up between Ballincollig and Eire Óg, the classic local town-country rivalry, with Ballincollig’s seven point win sending them through as the fourth-seeded team, along with plunging Eire Óg into a relegation playoff.

Micháel Maguire, Castlehaven getting his shot away watched by Carbery Rangers players John Hodnett and Killlian Eady. Picture Dan Linehan

Castlehaven-Carbery Rangers was a big west Cork derby but the Haven merely maintained the form-line that has powered them through this championship to date, with a five-point win still making sure they already had enough scores in the bank to progress straight through to the semi-finals as the top seeded team.

Nemo Rangers - the only other team to have won their opening two matches - also made it three from three against Newcestown, and while their big win bumped up their scoring difference, it was still marginally inferior to Castlehaven’s, which sees Nemo through as the second-seeded team and a quarter-final meeting with Clonakilty.