Championship Fayre Galore In East Cork 

IT'S a big few weeks of championship action in East Cork, with the conclusion of the hurling championship and the start of the under 21 competitions ensuring plenty of games for players and patrons as the hours of daylight shorten.

This weekend two big hurling prizes will be decided as both the junior 'B' and junior 'C' finals are down for decision, with the blue riband - the junior 'A' grade final a further week down the road.

The 'B' grade pairing brings together near neighbours Castlemartyr and Killeagh at 2.30pm in Cloyne.

Both clubs have put in a really big effort this season and the competitive nature of this championship has been reflected by a series of exciting matches which have taken place over the past few weeks. 

Castlemartyr go into the decider on the back of a 1-14 to 1-12 win over Castlelyons in what was a very keen tussle in Killeagh ten days ago. 

On the same day Killeagh assured themselves of a place in the final by virtue of a 2-16 to 0-16 win over Watergrasshill.

After topping their respective round robin groups both finalists were also very efficient in their quarter final wins- Castlemartyr ousting Youghal by 2-23 to 3-8 and Killeagh dismissing the Sar's challenge on a 3-16 to 0-9 scoreline. 

So both sides have earned their participation in the decider very much on merit and with only a few miles separating the clubs, there will be a lot of familiarity on the playing pitch.

The championship dates back to 1936 when Carraig na bhFear were the first winners whilst Bride Rovers triumphed last year. 

Killeagh were champions in both 1991 and 2000 but Castlemartyr are seeking their first ever title at this level. 

Peter O'Donovan is in charge of this Saturday's game, where the "winner on the day" rules wil apply.

Meantime, It's Carraig na bhFear against Carrigtwohill in the junior 'C' final also at 2.30pm on Saturday with Shane Hodgins on the whistle.

Eleven teams set out on this championship journey in mid summer. 

Two exciting semi finals produced a 3-16 to 2-16 win for Carrigtwohill over Midleton and a 3-15 to 0-17 success for Carraig na bhFear against Cobh. (Patrons are asked to check the Imokilly GAA website to confirm match venue) 

The return of the U21 championships ensures plenty of other activity on the playing fields in all grades. 

After last weekend's busy football programme - Lisgoold will play Cloyne at B grade level and Watergrasshill take on Aghada in the C hurling championship on Sunday.

The highlight of the domestic fixture list is though without doubt, the East Cork Oil junior 'A' grade hurling championship Final. 

St Ita's have the luxury of a three week break ahead of the big day after overcoming Cobh ten days ago when Darragh O'Brien's two goals saw them home on a 2-12 to 0-12 scoreline in Killeagh. 

There is a revitalised look about the Pilmore based team this season. Winners of their first ever top tier title in 2021, they failed to build on that momentum twelve months ago, but now with Cork senior selector Fergal Condon in charge of coaching duties, St Ita's are very much on a mission to bring the famous Jamesy Kelleher Cup back to Gortroe for a second time.

In the opposite corner are Carraig na bhFear.

It's only a few weeks since Carraig' lost the football showpiece against Lisgoold and having put a huge amount of work into the both campaigns, they will be hoping to claim the coveted silverware for only the third time, after wins in 2008 and 2012. 

Colm O'Reilly and his management team have enjoyed an excellent season so far as evidenced by their JHL success in early summer and were again in impressive form in their 1-23 to 1-10 win over Killeagh in last Sunday's semi final.

This year's final is listed for Saturday week October 21.

Finally, across the division fans will be readying to journey to Pairc Ui Chaoimh for this weekend's Co Op Superstores County Finals. 

The hurling stronghold of Imokilly again stands tall with Kilworth the only team that can deny a clean sweep of East Cork success in this weekend's finals.