GAA previews: Ruthless forward unit can propel Blarney into final
Alan Fenton, Castlelyons and Mark Coleman, Blarney. Pic: Jim Coughlan.
Ballygarvan won their group stage meeting last year by three points. They subsequently went as far as the semis where they fell to St Catherine’s. It was Catherine’s they bettered last time out in the quarters.
Verdict: Ballygarvan
A pair of clubs chasing promotion on two fronts. Centre-forward John Corkery is an injury concern for Aghabullogue. Matthew Bradley and Shane Tarrant are other key figures in attack who can keep their double dream alive.
Verdict: Aghabullogue
Sars lost the likes of Daniel Kearney, Barry O’Flynn, and Donal English over the course of the group stages. Bandon need an instant pick-me-up after football relegation. Can Michael Cahalane, Peter Murphy, Tim Twohig, and Jack Cullinane deliver?
Verdict: Sars
Ballincollig fell at this hurdle in 2023 and '24. Driven by Brian Keating, David O’Sullivan, and Jordan Murray, their authoritative quarter-final dismissal of '24 semi-final conquerors Carrigaline suggests they'll not fall thrice. Can Jack Leahy and Shane Hegarty spearhead more semis misery?
Verdict: Ballincollig
Ballinhassig have injury worries in forward trio Adam O’Sullivan, Brian Lynch, and Evan Cullinane. Cloyne’s in-form James O’Brien, Conor Cahill, and Brian O’Shea will trouble a Ballinhassig rearguard likely to be minus the forward-moved Darragh O'Sullivan.
Verdict: Ballinhassig
Relegation finalists last year, John Dwyer-coached Carrigtwohill have engineered a dramatic turn in fortunes. Having engineered nine goals across the group phase, Carrigtwohill require James Mulcahy, Seán and Patrick Walsh to continue raising green flags. Bride Rovers are desperate to avoid a fifth successive semi-final defeat. Adam Walsh, Brian Roche, David Barry, and Conleith Ryan are the leaders to write a fresh last-four narrative.
Verdict: Bride Rovers
For the second year running, Castlelyons enter as semi-final outsiders. That didn’t bother them 12 months ago when they gave the Glen an almighty scare. Alan Fenton, Keith O’Leary, and the Spillane siblings want more on this occasion. Can their defence hold a Blarney forward unit laced with youth, speed, and a clinically ruthless streak.
Verdict: Blarney
Templenoe’s club championship amounted to chastening 13 and eight-point defeats to Austin Stacks and Na Gaeil. Their difficulties won’t abate here.
Verdict: East Kerry
Stacks’ usual and emerging suspects of Joe O’Connor, Dylan Casey, Armin Heinrich, and Paddy Lane will be looked upon to engineer a winning return after three years gone from the county senior championship equation.
Their opponents are on a four-game winless run across club and county championship.
Verdict: Austin Stacks
Mid Kerry were extremely competent in running out 14-point winners over St Brendan’s a fortnight ago. They are capable of living with the club and county champions, but can they outlast Gavin White, Tony Brosnan, and Mark O’Shea?
Verdict: Dr Crokes
This was Blackrock’s first time having to negotiate the four-week break in competitive fare that’s gifted to the No.1 seeds at the end of the group phase. However well they think they’ve negotiated those four weeks still can’t be accurately measured until after 2pm on Sunday. Repurposed half-back Tadhg Deasy is a loss through injury.
Alan Connolly (0-18, 0-11 placed-ball), Michael O’Halloran (3-10), and Robbie Cotter (0-12) comprise the strongest inside line of the remaining four.
From goalkeeper to midfield, driven by Eoin Moloney, Tommy O'Connell, and Mikey Finn at numbers 3,6, and 9, Midleton are exceptionally strong. In attack, though, creativity is concentrated on too few individuals.
Verdict: Blackrock
This Sars group has earned the title of most consistent and most dependable of the last four. Bar the All-Ireland final no-show, over the past three years they have turned up time and again.
So we expect they will turn up here. The mystery instead surrounds the Barrs. Can they replicate the aggression that banished Imokilly? Momentum is certainly on their side.
Brian Hayes has returned in wrecking form. Damien Cahalane is proving impenetrable in the full-back line. Ethan Twomey is thriving around the middle, Jack O’Kelly and Ciarán Doolan have stepped up. Collectively, the job is to again show up.
Verdict: St Finbarr’s
The task for Na Gaeil is obvious; that is to back up their club championship form, including a quarter-final win over tomorrow’s opponents. Might Tom O’Sullivan and Dylan Geaney be off the treatment table and back in the Dingle team sheet?
Verdict: Dingle
South Kerry arrive suitably road-tested. Two incredibly tight outings the past two weekends, one of which went to extra time. They know where they stand. Do their opponents? Dara Moynihan is one Spa operator who should be better for the pause in competitive fare since August 24.
Verdict: South Kerry
Seán O’Shea was curtailed by injury on the semi-final afternoon of Kenmare's club championship exit. A month on, Kenmare require him in a freer place. Jason Foley, Eddie Healy, Cormac Dillon, and their new North Kerry colleagues enter buoyant after the reformed division’s successful return last weekend.
Verdict: Kenmare Shamrocks
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