GER McCarthy from Castlelyons is manager of Imokilly’s senior camogie side. 

He has coached Castlelyons camogie team for 10 years and has been involved with the development of Imokilly at underage for about six. He stepped up to the senior squad this year and despite good planning and the best of intentions circumstances didn’t help. 

"It’s very difficult the first year with the lockdown. We had hoped to have a lot of preparation done but with the clubs now heavily back at it it’s hard to get the girls together but we’re getting there. 

"We’re jumping in at the deep end. We have a lot of interest, clubs have been very good to us and allowed the girls to be with us when we can get together and so it’s step by step, bit by bit," Ger said. 

Represented by Fr O’Neill's, Watergrasshill, Cobh, Midleton, Aghada, Castlemartyr, Bride Rovers, Youghal and Castlelyons, Imokilly have a nice selection of good players in the likes of Sharon Murphy, Clodagh Finn and Ciara O’Doherty (Fr O’Neill's), Edel Murphy (Watergrasshill) and Youghal’s Kate McCarthy and Jenny Doyle.

With the Imokilly hurlers having won three in a row of county senior titles it must give that division a picture of what can be achieved? 

"Yes it shows what can be achieved but that took a very long time too to achieve. We’re very young. We took this on board to give the girls an opportunity to play senior camogie and that in turn helps their clubs. Hopefully we’ll give Seandún a good run."

Seandún have strong clubs in Brian Dillons, Blackrock, Bishopstown, Na Piarsaigh, Nemo Rangers and St Vincents. Amy O’Connor isn’t available which is a big disappointment. Jason Long is a selector with Seandún. Like Imokilly it’s been difficult to get things moving but he is hopeful that they can progress in the championship to give them time.

"The longer we can go on, the same for both sides I suppose, the better so as to give us time. We had a challenge match. That was our first get together and things haven’t worked out too well for us since. We were supposed to play Carbery and they withdrew."

Kathlyn Hickey is a senior intercounty panellist. Blackrock’s Hayley Ryan, Brian Dillons’ Niamh O’Leary, Emily Buckley and Casey Coleman both of Na Piarsaigh are Cork intermediates and the city divisional side also have the strong Sinead Mills, Emma Sharpe and Susan Kate Brosnan from Brian Dillons.

It’s always hard to call a divisional victory and who is available right up until the day of the game but both sides are hoping to advance and get solid commitment, improvement and momentum as the championship progresses.