Barr’s searching for redemption

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025 - 06:24

Eoghan Cormican

Cork Premier SHC Group 1: Sarsfields v Fr O’Neill’s, Carrigtwohill (N Fahy), 7.30pm

Two teams with ambition. Sars are bidding for a return to the local summit after Imokilly denied them back-to-back titles on the concluding Sunday last year. Fr O’Neill’s are determined to build on a 2024 summer that brought a debut quarter-final appearance. Sars’ Division 1 success, with minimal involvement from their Cork contingent, suggests they are perfectly primed for another assault. This is a group where Fr O’Neill’s can sneak through in second, but the necessary points may have to be collected elsewhere.

Verdict: Sarsfields

Group 3: Douglas v St Finbarr’s, Páirc Uí Rinn (C McAllister), 7.30pm

Redemption road begins here for the Barrs. Shock fallers at the group stage last year, the number one goal of 2025 is to make sure they are still involved come quarter-finals weekend. They’ve got themselves to the starting line in decent nick, their Division 1 League form carrying them all the way to the decider, where they fell to Sars. Have Douglas, who also had a decent Division 1 campaign and are under new management in Fergus Ryan, the defensive capabilities to contain Brian Hayes, Jack Cahalane, Ben Cunningham, and William Buckley?

Verdict: St Finbarr's

Cork premier IHC Group 2: Ballincollig v Ballinhassig, Church Road (I McCarthy), 7.30pm.

This should be tight. Ballincollig just avoided the drop from Division 2 of the League, Ballinhassig just missed the promotion boat out of Division 3. Last summer, they both reached the knockout stages where they both fell narrowly to beaten finalists Carrigaline.

Verdict: Ballincollig

Cork Premier JHC Group 2: Barryroe v Kilbrittain, Clonakilty (C Dineen), 7.30pm

Fourth consecutive year they are meeting in the group phase. The past three meetings show one win apiece and one draw.

Verdict: Kilbrittain