Ben Cunningham wary of Cork's 'form team' Kanturk

St Finbarr's Ben Cunningham can see why all the hype is surrounding Kanturk ahead of Sunday's Cork Premier SHC semi-final.

St Finbarrs' Ben Cunningham and Kanturk's Lorcan McLaughlin. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Ben Cunningham wears the jersey of one of the most storied clubs in Cork GAA, it is also one of the most successful clubs in the history of the Association, be it hurling or football.

Yet when it comes to St Finbarr’s much-talked-about Cork Premier SHC semi-final in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday (2pm), it is new arrivals Kanturk that are capturing all the limelight.

The Duhallow outfit have caused quite the stir, knocking out champions Sarsfields in the quarter-final two weeks ago.

Earlier in the month they clinched top spot in Group 1 with victories over Blackrock (by 11 points) and Fr O’Neill’s (13), and despite losing a belter to Glen Rovers by two points, they topped the leaderboard with an impressive +22 scoring difference.

Taking care of Sars has brought them to a first semi-final in this grade.

Another big game looms for them a week later in the senior A football championship.

However, and when referencing proven pedigrees, you don’t have to look any further than St Finbarr’s, who are consistently at the business end of the championships.

They too are preparing for a couple of high-stake knockouts (including Premier senior football v Clonakilty) so there is no disputing their rich heritage.

Even so, Cunningham can see why all the hype is surrounding Kanturk.

“They’ve probably been the form team of the championship,” he claims.

“They’ve beaten all the contenders that have been there for the past few years, so we are under no illusion about the task we have.

“You always want to get back to Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the semi-finals because you know you are there or thereabouts. The four teams that are left will be fancying their chances of winning it.” 

The Togher club dropped points to Midleton in the first round but they found sufficient form in the rest of the group matches to advance in second place to the Magpies.

“It was an up and down group stage, only winning one and drawing one. But the group stage is all about navigating your way into the quarter-final.

“Every game you face is a tough game. Obviously down in Enniskeane against Newcestown was a tough one (a draw). The same with Midleton (eight points defeat) and Bride Rovers (nine point victory), very tough games as well.” 

Imokilly were taken care of in the final eight, albeit a depleted Imokilly due to club commitments, which could have made for a tricky assignment.

“It is kind of hard to prepare for a game when you don’t really know the players that will be available for the opposition, but the one thing you do know when you go out on that pitch is that they’ll have some quality intercounty players so we were happy to get over the line.

“You have to focus on yourself and on your own standards. We saw Eoghan Finn coming on and he got a great few scores, Rickey Barrett came on. Cathal Crowley came on, and more. We’ll need them all because you don’t know with injuries what will happen, so you’ll need every single player.

“We’ve been building a squad for the last couple of years, in the league the main target was to get everyone available.” 

Brian Hayes, Hurler of the Year nominee for the second consecutive season, has been hampered by injury. So too Jack Cahalane.

In their absence a number of players have stepped up, including Jack’s older brother Damien, who led the fight against Imokilly with his spectacular goal one of the highlights in their 11-point triumph.

“It is great to have Brian back and hopefully he’ll stay injury free. He is a super player for us, he’s had a great few years with Cork and a great few years with the Barrs.

“Damien was happy out, I’d say it was his first goal for the Barrs maybe, yeah maybe, he might give out to me now for saying that because we’re not sure.

“There would be friendly banter (with the Cahalanes, who are Castlehaven footballers) when we’re chatting and stuff. Thankfully I don’t play against them in football,” he smiles.

In November of last year, Ben’s father Ger Cunningham decided against seeking a fifth year in charge of the St Finbarr’s hurlers. In year one at the helm in 2022, the Blues bridged a 29-year-gap to win the Seán Óg Murphy Cup for the 26th time.

Last year in the penultimate round they fell to eventual champions Sarsfields by a single point.

Management is now headed up by the Murray brothers.

“There is not much change, in fairness,” the Barrs' target man says.

“We’ve had good principles over the last few years so we’ve stuck to that, just driven them on. Kevin and Paudie have been very good in bringing a new voice.”