Junior hurling and football championship draws take place in East Cork 

THE 2024 junior championship draws took place in East Cork this week and they are a whole host of exciting games set to take place during summer and early autumn.

In the East Cork Oil JAHC, eight teams went into the hat, with six set to survive to the knockout stages, which will certainly give all teams a very fair chance of qualification. 

Last year's champions Carraig na bhFear, who will be bidding to retain the title for the first time in their history, are top seeds in group A. 

Killeagh, Carrigtwohill and Bride Rovers will provide the round robin opposition.

In group B, St Ita's, who lost the decider narrowly in 2023, are the top ranked seeds with stiff opposition expected to be provided by Cobh, Midleton and Sarsfield's.

Recent championship seasons have thrown up some really exciting competitions, proving that the quest to bring home the Jamesy Kelleher Cup is as challenging as ever despite the fact that so many sides have now graduated from the junior grade to play in county competition. 

As for the season ahead, whilst last year finalists along with Cobh are the only first teams in the competition, the likes of Killeagh - boosted significantly by an influx of highly talented young players, could have a major say in the destination of silverware.

Lisgoold were crowned MIchael O'Connor Motor Factors junior 'A' football champions for the first time in 2023. 

They are top seeds in group 'A', where Youghal, Dungourney and Carrigtwohill will test their credentials. 

Fr O'Neill's, Midleton, Cloyne and Bride Rovers compete in what is a very open looking group B, with 2023 runners -up Carraig na bhFear, beginning their quest to go one better by taking on Erin's Own, Castlemartyr and Aghada. 

Six teams will exit the competition after this phase leaving the respective group winners and runners up to contest the destination of the Jim Ryan Cup.

Elsewhere, it is notable that Glenbower Rovers will have two teams involved in the junior 'B football championship, which has just six sides overall in this grade, whilst there will be eleven contenders for honours at junior 'C' level. 

The divisional junior 'B' hurling championship has the makings of a really keenly fought competition. 

Last year's runners up Castlemartyr are joined by Youghal, Fr O'Neill's and Cloyne in group A. Top seeds Castleyons are bracketed with St Catherine's, Erin's Own and Carrigtwohill in group B, whilst Killeagh;s third string face Sar's fourth string, along with the respective second selections from Watergrasshill and Aghada in group C.

Looking ahead, the start of the football championships are pencilled in for early July, with hurling action getting underway in early August.