Cork hurling previews: Can Kanturk fell the champions? Can Charleville cope without Fitzgibbon?
KAN DO ATTITUDE: Liam O'Keeffe of Kanturk drives forward against the Glen. Pic: Jim Coughlan.
Ballyhea’s average losing margin in Group 1 was 11 points. Each opposition took them for at least 24 scores. Fermoy went close to some sort of a result in two of their three group outings. Fionn Lardner, Ben Twomey, and Shane Aherne can deliver further positive news in the same week as their footballers scored boardroom victory.
Verdict: Fermoy
Cloyne were 3-16 to 1-19 winners when they met in the group stage last year. Both subsequently advanced, with Carrigaline exiting at the quarters and Cloyne in the semis. Cloyne’s early summer momentum was clipped by the eight-point final round defeat to Lisgoold, Carrigaline conceding eight goals in their last two games is definite cause for concern.
Verdict: Carrigaline
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Aghabullogue’s job is obvious. The execution element won’t be as straightforward. Jack Leahy and Cillian O’Callaghan are responsible for 5-32 - 69% - of Dungourney’s 6-50 championship total. Stop this pair and the promoted outfit will be part of the last-four line-up. Dungourney focus will be trained on Shane Tarrant, Matthew Bradley, and former Cork footballer Dano Dineen.
Verdict: Aghabullogue
Bishopstown are on an 11-game championship losing run. A 12th consecutive defeat will condemn the city club to a third consecutive relegation. Lisgoold are only two years in the third-tier. They were ultra-competitive in their East Cork group. Liam O’Shea, James O’Leary, and Cork senior Diarmuid Healy can extend their Premier Intermediate existence.
Verdict: Lisgoold
Mallow’s dual contingent go to Blarney in buoyant form after last weekend’s victory over county champions the Barrs guaranteed topflight football safety. The club hurlers were already in confident mood having bettered Midleton and Blackrock’s second teams in the group phase. Paul Lyons and Seán Hayes will be the mainstays against an Aghada side chasing back-to-back semi-final appearances.
Verdict: Mallow
Ballygiblin are without a win in their last six championship outings. Russell Rovers bring the better form into this relegation decider. They’re attempting to avoid a return to the fifth tier three years after promotion from Premier Junior. Josh Beausang and James Kennefick will lead their survival push.
Verdict: Russell Rovers
Cloughduv had 16 points to spare when they met in the group phase last year. Barryroe are a side since transformed, winning Division 7 of the League and topping their championship group. Olan O’Donovan top-scored across their two group wins, but he’s ruled out with an elbow injury. Pointless going into their final group game, Cloughduv scraped through. Eoghan Clifford and Mark Verling can further extend their slow-starting campaign.
Verdict: Cloughduv
The word from Dominic Foley is that Darragh Fitzgibbon (quad) will play no part. An incomparable loss, if his absence materialises. Despite topping their group, Charleville had the third lowest scoring return of the 12 Premier Senior teams, averaging 0-20 per game. Will such a figure be sufficient to outgun a Glen side where the scoring threats include Patrick Horgan, Eoin O’Leary, Simon Kennefick, Micheál Mullins, and Lee Quilligan? The Glen will also be locked in to ensure there is no back-to-back quarter-final defeats.
Verdict: Glen Rovers
The weekend’s most intriguing clash. The somewhat stuttering champions to continue on towards a fourth consecutive semi-final or Kanturk to fell another local force and reach their first ever semi-final Who tracks Daniel Kearney? Who shadows Jack O’Connor? Who stands beside and attempts to measure up to Colin and Alan Walsh? Kanturk’s age profile is favourable, but they won’t hold onto the McLoughlin brothers forever and stand better equipped to achieve further breakthrough when still able to call on their experience and nous. While injury-hit and below their usual performance bar, impossible to back against a Sars side so proven at this stage of championship.
Verdict: Sarsfields
The Imokilly players from Aghada, Cobh, Youghal, Russell Rovers, Lisgoold, Dungourney, and Cloyne all have important knockout fixtures on the Friday and Saturday before Sunday’s 4.30pm throw-in. Freshness will not be on their side, fatigue will. The Barrs have a dilemma in whether they hold the returning-from-injury Brian Hayes and see how the game pans out, or throw him in from the start and hope the All-Star lasts the hour. The Barrs want both a performance and a result to properly kickstart their championship. William Buckley, Ben Cunningham, and the experience of the two elder Cahalane brothers can get them the latter - at the very least.
Verdict: St Finbarr’s
Fr O’Neill’s had the worst defensive record of all 12 Premier Senior teams. Conceded seven goals in total. Conceded a minimum 24 white flags in each game. So while Declan Dalton, John Millerick, Jason Hankard, and Billy Dunne will always keep their own dial moving, Fr O'Neill's ain’t got a prayer if matters at the back aren't notably tightened. Douglas must take encouragement from the fact they were competitive in all three group outings. Plenty of pedigree on that Douglas team sheet. The question remains as to whether they have the leaders to keep them up.
Verdict: Fr O’Neill’s
The two most recent Premier Intermediate champions are jostling for position one hour from Senior A final involvement. 2023 All-Ireland U20 winner Adam O’Sullivan made his first appearance of this championship when introduced midway through the second half of Ballinhassig's final group game. He is surely set for greater involvement here. Adam Murphy and Seán Desmond require close policing in the Watergrasshill attack, the same as Ballinhassig cannot allow Dáire O’Leary and Kevin O’Neill dictate from the half-back line.
Verdict: Watergrasshill
Argideen Rangers are chasing a first county semi-final appearance - at any grade - since 2012. In-form Seán Walsh - his group total stood at 3-8 - will drive their bid to bridge that 14-year gap. Captain Matthew Lawton will again be absent because of injury. Ballygarvan are bidding to return to the semi-final juncture where they exited in 2025. Dylan O’Connor and Ray O’Halloran can get them back there.
Verdict: Ballygarvan
Both are desperately unlucky to wind up in the relegation play-off. Milford had two points on the board from winning their opener, but fell into the play-off because of score difference, while Nemo’s three results were a draw, a one-point defeat, and three-point defeat.
Verdict: Nemo Rangers
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