Rebel Óg minor hurling: Semi-final draws made for Premier 1 and Premier 2

Ballincollig’s minor hurlers received a bye to the Premier 1 semi-final, while St Finbarr’s were drawn out of the hat in the Premier 2 grade.

With scoring difference not applicable, and three clubs tied on two wins apiece in both tiers, Rebel Óg held a draw to decide the pairings in the playoffs, which are currently slated for Wednesday, September 4.

It means Douglas face Glen Rovers, a repeat of last year’s county final. Newtownshandrum will take on Mallow at Premier 2.

The situation was the same in both groups last season, when Sars, Ballincollig and Midleton finished on two wins each, as did Douglas, Glen Rovers and Inniscarra.

The semi-final pairings will only be known after the defacto quarter-finals. Should Glen beat Douglas they'll be top seeds and take on Midleton sending Ballincollig into a showdown with Sars. Otherwise, it's Ballincollig-Midleton and Sars-Douglas. That's on the basis of head-to-head results in the group.

Likewise in Premier 2, if Shandrum get the better of Mallow, the semis are St Finbarr's-Youghal and Carrigtwohill-Shandrum, conversely a Mallow win would pair the Avondhu side with Youghal and Carrigtwohill with the Barrs.

However it pans out, there are some cracking games on the horizon after a run of entertaining matches since mid-July. The restoration of minor to U18 from U17 for the first time since 2020 has increased the physicality and quality.

Ronan Dooley and Mark O’Brien were both marked absent for Douglas’ first-round loss to Ballincollig but combined for a staggering 5-29 in the two victories over Aghada and the Glen.

The Glen were facing elimination if they lost or drew in Ballincollig but their marquee hurlers Michael Tadhg Brosnan, Conor McCarthy, Diarmuid Wall and Cian Walsh all delivered and they were worthy 3-18 to 1-17 winners. They set the pace early, going 0-7 to 0-1 up after 12 minutes and that platform was crucial in holding off the Collig’s second-half push.

Scarra’s terrific victory away to Killeagh eliminated the East Cork side, who never recovered from falling nine points down early in the second half, with Jack O’Mahony, Jack Shine and Cathal Lyons all landing key scores.

Sars and Midleton could collide again in the county final but before that, on Saturday week in the Mardyke at 3.30pm, they’re paired in the Premier 1 league final.

Shandrum and St Finbarr’s had far superior scoring difference than Mallow but this season and last, Rebel Óg’s competition included playoffs when head-to-head results couldn’t be used to separate teams.

In the Premier 2 grade, Carrigtwohilll topped one group, with Youghal, coming second as Valley Rovers and Bandon were consigned to the Challenge Cup for the third and fourth-placed clubs. Youghal and Bandon will meet again however in the Premier 2 league final on Saturday week in the Mardyke, 2pm.

Premier 1 semi-finals (if Douglas win): 

Sarsfields v Douglas; Ballincollig v Midleton.

Premier 2 semi-finals (if Shandrum win):

Carrigtwohill v Shandrum; St Finbarr’s v Youghal.

Premier 1 semi-finals (if Glen win): 

Sarsfields v Ballincollig; Glen Rovers v Midleton.

Premier 2 semi-finals (if Mallow win):

Carrigtwohill v St Finbarr’s; Mallow v Youghal.