Cork GAA previews: Kanturk have ability to topple Rockies

Eoghan Cormican talks us through the big hurling clashes on Leeside this weekend.

Kanturk's Alan Walsh is tackled by Charleville's Darren Butler during the Co-Op Superstores Premier SHC at Buttevant. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Saturday

Cork PSHC relegation play-off 

Bishopstown v Charleville, Grenagh (I McCarthy), 4pm 

Bishopstown are so often the team tipped for the drop, and yet it is Charleville who are appearing in their third relegation decider in four years. Tim Hawe, Darragh Fitzgibbon, and company have the tools to thrive amid a Bishopstown defence taken for 7-59 across three group games.

Verdict: Charleville 

Cork PSHC quarter-final 

Blackrock v Kanturk, Fermoy (A O’Connor), 5.30pm 

Is Fermoy to be the scene of yet another famous Kanturk victory? Both the Glen and Midleton have fallen to the Duhallow men on this field in recent years. 

From midfield up, there is no questioning the obvious talent in the Donal Cronin-coached side, namely Brian O’Sullivan, young Rory Sheehan, and Alan, Aidan, and Ian Walsh. But can their defence cope with the various threats - running and aerially - posed by Alan Connolly, Robbie Cotter, Fionn Coleman, Kevin O’Keeffe, and Ciarán Cormack?

Verdict: Kanturk 

Cork SAHC relegation play-off 

Carrigtwohill v Cloyne, Castlemartyr (D Daly), 4pm 

Cloyne showed nothing in the group stages to suggest a season which has already seen them relegated to Division 6 of the League can be rescued here.

Verdict: Carrigtwohill 

Cork SAHC quarter-final 

Castlelyons v Na Piarsaigh, Páirc Uí Rinn (C Lyons), 7.15pm 

Kevin Moynihan, Daire Connery, Ross O’Sullivan, and Padraig Guest’s free-taking can progress Na Piarsaigh to a northside semi-final derby against the Glen that they very much want a crack at.

Verdict: Na Piarsaigh 

Cork PIHC relegation play-off 

Aghabullogue v Kilworth, Blarney (P Lyons), 4pm 

This would be quite the fall for a Kilworth team that led the 2023 Premier Intermediate county final approaching the hour mark. We don’t expect that fall to happen.

Verdict: Kilworth 

Cork PIHC quarter-finals

Ballinhassig v Carrigaline, Riverstick (M Maher), 5.30pm 

Ger Collins was sent off during Ballinhassig’s final group outing. 

It was a red card he unsuccessfully appealed. What it means is that Ballinhassig must line out minus the forward who is the championship’s second-highest scorer (1-31) and third-highest from open play (0-13). A definite swing factor.

Verdict: Carrigaline 

Dungourney v Mallow, Páirc Uí Rinn (P O’Mahony), 5.30pm 

Dungourney will be hoping to extract more from open play from Cork U20 Jack Leahy. Mallow will be hoping Denis Hayes and Dan Sheehan continue their fine group phase form.

Verdict: Mallow 

Cork IAHC relegation play-off 

Cloughduv v Aghada, Shanbally (B Coniry), 4pm 

Cloughduv were Intermediate A finalists only two years ago. Mark Verling and Odhran O’Driscoll can steer them to safety.

Verdict: Cloughduv 

Cork IAHC quarter-final 

Erin’s Own v Mayfield, Ballymaw (D Copps), 5.30pm 

Hard to know what to make of Erin’s Own’s eight-point Round 3 defeat to Bandon, given the Glounthaune men were already advanced. Mayfield’s progress was far squeakier. All that matters, though, is last year’s semi-finalists are still standing.

Verdict: Mayfield 

Cork PJHC relegation play-off 

Argideen Rangers v Douglas, Ovens (J McEvoy), 4pm 

Argideen Rangers were the more competitive across their group outings. Douglas are desperate to avoid back-to-back relegations.

Verdict: Argideen Rangers 

Cork PJHC quarter-finals 

Glen Rovers v Nemo Rangers, Ballincollig (E Coleman), 5.30pm 

Progress for Nemo was advancing from their group in this their first year up from junior. The Glen were semi-finalists last year. Progress for them will be measured in later rounds.

Verdict: Glen Rovers 

St Catherine’s v Milford, Kildorrery (C Egan), 5.30pm 

Rory Galvin has been in superb scoring form for Catherine’s, as has Brian Mulcahy and Eoin Condon. Their bid to avenge last year’s final defeat will not stumble here.

Verdict: St Catherine’s 

Cork PJFC Group B  

Glenville v Kinsale, Ballygarvan (P O’Leary), 5.45pm 

Verdict: Glenville 

Sunday

Cork PSHC quarter-final 

Imokilly v Fr O’Neill’s, Midleton (B Barry-Murphy), 4pm 

Freshness is typically an issue for Imokilly. But this weekend, none of Lisgoold, Cobh, Castlemartyr, or Watergrasshill are in action. 

Instead, Fr O’Neill’s come into their first top-tier quarter-final with Eoin Motherway and Billy Dunne having had to depart injured their final group outing, while Cillian Broderick didn’t start that Blackrock defeat because of injury. 

This is Imokilly’s first proper challenge of the year. They will want to put down a marker to their fellow contenders.

Verdict: Imokilly 

Cork SAFC Group A 

Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh v Kiskeam, Carrigadrohid (P O’Driscoll), 2pm 

A draw and neither will be involved in the relegation play-off. If Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh lose by two or more, they will fall into the relegation play-off. Because of their score difference, Kiskeam must take at least a point from the game.

Verdict: Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh 

Cork SAHC quarter-final 

Blarney v Killeagh, Midleton (A Hyland), 2pm 

Very difficult to see how Killeagh can stop enough of Shane Barrett, Cian Barrett, Cathal McCarthy, Mark Coleman, and Pádraig Power to pull off a shock.

Verdict: Blarney 

Cork IAHC quarter-final 

Ballygiblin v Blackrock, Mourneabbey (S Stokes), 3.30pm 

A repeat of last year’s quarter-final, which Blackrock won. But Ballygiblin could have Mark Keane here.

Verdict: Ballygiblin 

CORK SPORT

A collection of the latest sports news, reports and analysis from Cork.