RedFM Hurling: Busy weekend of action should provide clearer picture

We can all likely remember a time under a manager who, wary of the possibility of players enjoying bank holiday festivities too much, would schedule training or a match for the Monday morning.

In modern GAA, conditioning, even in the club game, is at a high level and managements are able to trust players to look after themselves with the occasional social foray. So it is that this bank holiday weekend has RedFM Hurling League games on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning but Monday is free of games.

Action in all seven divisions is moving closer to a conclusion, with just two rounds of fixtures remaining after this weekend. In Division 1, Charleville top the table with ten points after six games, one ahead of Blackrock, with Douglas a point further back and holders Sarsfields, Fr O’Neills and Carrigtwohill on seven each.

The North Cork faced Na Piarsaigh on Thursday night and on Saturday, Douglas and Sars face each other in what is essentially a must-win game for both in terms of staying in the hunt for a place in the final. On Sunday morning, relegation-battling Kanturk welcome Carrigtwohill.

Midleton with six wins from six in Division 2, take on second-placed Carrigaline – a point behind the Magpies – on Saturday evening. The only other side able to reach that final, St Finbarr’s, are not in action but Friday’s games should make the picture clearer in terms of who will avoid relegation and who will drop to Division 3.

Currently, Newtownshandrum are bottom with two points, one behind Bride Rovers and Erin’s Own, while Fermoy and Courcey Rovers have four each.

Four those sides are involved the two games down for decision, with Fermoy at home to Erin’s Own while Newtown make the trip to Rathcormac to take on Bride Rovers.

Division 3 sees a repeat of last year’s Co-op SuperStores SAHC final as Newcestown take on Blarney, the side they overcame after a replay to secure a return to the premier senior grade.

With leaders Balltmartle – 11 points from six games – all but assured of a place in the third-tier final, third-placed Newcestown, who have seven points, need a victory to stay in contention.

Valley Rovers, in second on nine, are away to Blackrock – battling to avoid relegation – on Friday night while on Sunday Ballymartle are away to Mallow, who are in a share of third place with Newcestown.

There is a tight battle at the top of Division 4, where currently Youghal and Lisgoold are co-leaders on nine points, with another East Cork side, Russell Rovers, on eight and Cloughduv a point further back.

On Saturday evening, Lisgoold are away to St Catherine’s while Cloughduv go to Ballyhea – both home sides currently have six points and are still in with a shout – and then on Sunday there is an Imokilly derby between Russell Rovers and Youghal.

REDFM HURLING LEAGUE FIXTURES

Friday, May 31 (7.30pm unless stated)

Division 2: Fermoy v Erin’s Own, Bride Rovers v Newtownshandrum (7.45pm).

Division 3: Blackrock v Valley Rovers.

Division 4: Kildorrery v Kilworth, Milford v Bandon.

Division 5: Aghabullogue v Ballygarvan.

Division 6: Sarsfields v Ballygiblin.

Saturday, June 1

Division 1: Douglas v Sarsfields (3pm).

Division 2: Midleton v Carrigaline (5pm).

Division 3: Newcestown v Blarney (12 noon).

Division 4: Ballyhea v Cloughduv (5.30pm), St Catherine’s v Lisgoold (7.30pm).

Division 6: Na Piarsaigh v Aghada (2pm).

Division 7: Kinsale v Kilshannig (1pm), Meelin v Ballinora (2.30pm).

Sunday, June 2 (11.30am)

Division 1: Kanturk v Carrigtwohill.

Division 3: Mallow v Ballymartle.

Division 4: Youghal v Russell Rovers.

Division 5: Mayfield v Argideen Rangers, Tracton v Castlemartyr.

Division 7: Nemo Rangers v Ballinhascarthy.

Tuesday, June 4

Division 6: Glen Rovers v Erin’s Own.