Cork GAA club draws: Groups made for the PSHC and SAHC

Champions Sarsfields will start the defence of their Co-op Superstores Premier SHC title against Douglas.

Douglas have flattered to deceive in recent years in the group stages and have bowed out of the championship soon after.

This will be a stern test for them against the defending champions, and one the East Cork side will be hot favourites to win and get their title defence off to a winning start.

The winners of this will probably have one foot in the knock-out stages, but they can’t afford to take the challenge of Bishopstown and Newtwonshandrum lightly.

Newtownshandrum and Bishopstown face off in the first round, with the former then taking on Sars in the second round. Bishopstown are never an easy side to beat, and they proved that once again last year with their win over Glen Rovers to ensure they stayed in the top flight.

Beaten finalists Midleton are up against Charleville in their opening tie, with Erin’s Own and Kanturk making up the rest of Group 3.

The Magpies should be favourites to emerge as group winners, with again, no easy games here. Any one of the others is more than capable of advancing with them to the knock-out stages.

What a game you have in the opening round of Group 2 with age-old rivals St Finbarr’s taking on Blackrock. These city sides have enjoyed many a battle over the years and both will be determined to lay down a marker here.

Newly promoted Newcestown, who moved up in both codes, have a tough opener against Fr O’Neill’s as they make up the other two sides in this group.

Premier Senior hurling championship: 

Group 1: Sarsfields, Douglas, Bishopstown and Newtownshandrum.

Group 2: St Finbarr’s, Blackrock, Newcestown and Fr O’Neill’s.

Group 3: Midleton, Charleville, Erin’s Own and Kanturk.

Meanwhile in the SAHC beaten finalists Blarney, who lost to Newcestown after a replay, will start their campaign against Carrigtwohill as they were drawn in Group 1.

The other two teams in their group are Na Piarsaigh and Courcey Rovers, who face off in the first round.

Group 2 has already been deemed the group of death as it sees Bride Rovers, Castlelyons, Fermoy and Cloyne all facing each other.

The opening round of Bride Rovers and Cloyne is sure to draw supporters out, both club and the neutral fan.

Castlelyons, who were promoted after winning the PIHC, open their championship at the higher grade against Fermoy, one they will probably be happy with.

Glen Rovers, who were relegated last season, will be determined to get off to a winning start as they face a tough tie against Killeagh, one they won’t take lightly.

Ballyhea will take on Inniscarra, who avoided relegation last season, and the latter will be out to prove that was a blip as they aim to get off to a winning start.

Senior A hurling championship: 

Group 1: Blarney, Carrigtwohill, Na Piarsaigh and Courcey Rovers.

Group 2: Bride Rovers, Cloyne, Femoy and Castlelyons.

Group 3: Glen Rovers, Killeagh, Ballyhea and Inniscarra.