RedFM Hurling League: Clash of Glen Rovers and Sars among the highlights

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024 - 08:15

Denis Hurley

When it comes to the GAA, there’s never too much glitz associated with the league.

At a national level, there’s always a big marketing push each year to get out and support your county and, to be fair to the die-hards, there is always a loyal cohort that will travel the country.

Allianz have remained firm supporters of the national leagues, though the more compacted schedule in the era of the split-season means that going deep in the competition can be a hindrance in terms of championship ambitions.

At a local level, RedFM have become intrinsically linked with the Cork hurling leagues and, at the end of the three-year extension recently announced, their association will have stretched to 17 years.

Thankfully, the layout of the club season means that the leagues are done and dusted with sufficient time to reset and gear up for the championship.

In high summer last year, Sarsfields and Glen Rovers were among those raising silverware, having won Divisions 1 and 2 of the league respectively.

If the league was a vehicle for promotion rather than the more important activity of blooding youngsters and seeing how you might fare without your county players, their meeting tonight would be billed as the ‘Clash of Champions’. Instead, it should serve as a useful tune-up for managers Johnny Crowley and Tomás Mulcahy but the fact that it is still early in the campaign means that it won’t be pivotal either way.

Sars edged Kanturk in their opener while the Glen were too strong for Ballincollig in what was a repeat of last year’s Division 2 final. The game tonight has a 7.30pm throw-in time and takes place at the Glen Field, having originally been set for Riverstown.
Also opening with a win a fortnight ago were Douglas, who enjoyed a win away to Blackrock. Martin Coleman’s side will look to make it two from two when they welcome Carrigtwohill tomorrow afternoon (2pm). Carrig opened with a narrow loss to Na Piarsaigh first day out and the northsiders make the trip to Kanturk on Saturday, throw-in 4.30pm.

On Sunday morning, Ballincollig take on a Charleville side that beat Fr O’Neills by two points, while O’Neills entertain Blackrock. Both of those games begin at 11.30am.

Carrigaline are the early leaders in Division 2 after a fine win away to Bride Rovers two weeks ago and they will face a stern test of their credentials when they take on Erin’s Own at 5pm on Saturday evening.

Valley Rovers' Seán McEntee challanges Michael Sheehan of Ballinhassing in last year's RedFM HL Division 4 final. The neighbours renew rivalries again this weekend. Picture: Denis Boyle

St Finbarr’s, who were held to a draw by Éire Óg, clash with Fermoy in Togher at 3.30pm on Saturday. On Sunday, Bride are away to Midleton at 11.30am while Newtownshandrum go to Ovens to face Éire Óg at 12 noon.

There is one game in Division 3 on Saturday, with Inniscarra looking to bounce back from an opening-round defeat to Mallow as they clash with Blackrock’s second team (3pm). On Sunday, there is a south-east derby as Ballinhassig take on Valley Rovers, whom they beat in the Division 4 final last year, while Newcestown take on Mallow. Both of those games start at 11.30am while Blarney face Bishopstown at 2pm.

REDFM HURLING LEAGUE FIXTURES

Friday, March 22

Division 1: Glen Rovers v Sarsfields (7.30pm).

Saturday, March 23

Division 1: Douglas v Carrigtwohill (2pm), Kanturk v Na Piarsaigh (4.30pm).

Division 2: St Finbarr’s v Fermoy (3.30pm), Carrigaline v Erin’s Own (5pm).

Division 3: Innsicarra v Blackrock (3pm).

Division 4: Lisgoold v Kilworth (1pm).

Division 5: Dungourney v Cloyne (2pm), Midleton v Aghabullogue (3pm).

Division 6: Aghada v Sarsfields (3pm).

Sunday, March 24 (11.30am unless stated)

Division 1: Ballincollig v Charleville, Fr O’Neills v Blackrock.