Cork Premier Senior Hurling: Three knockout places up for grabs
Newtownshandrum's Jamie Coughlan wins possession against Douglas in 2022. The clubs' game on Sunday is effectively a quarter-final play-off. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
It’s a case of four down and three to go for places in the knockout stage of the Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC.
The last set of group games all take place at 4pm on Sunday, with Blackrock, Fr O’Neills and champions Sarsfields having already guaranteed themselves qualification while Imokilly have emerged from the divisions and colleges section. Equally, Bishopstown, Charleville, Newcestown and St Finbarr’s are unable to progress but will seek to guarantee their top-tier status for next year.
In Group 1, wins for Sars against Douglas and Newtownshandrum mean that they cannot be moved from top spot even if they were to lose to the already-eliminated Bishopstown in Rathcormac. The Town do still need a win to try to escape having to play in the relegation play-off but Sars, with a scoring-difference of +24 already amassed, will be seeking the victory that would almost certainly ensure that they move straight to the semi-finals.
It means that the other game in the group, Douglas against Newtownshandrum in Mourneabbey, is a winner-take-all tie to decide second place. Both have lost to Sars and beaten Bishopstown, but Newtown have an extra advantage in that their superior scoring difference would be enough to progress in the event of a draw.
Group 2 is fairly cut and dried with a game to spare. Blackrock and Fr O’Neills have each beaten both St Finbarr’s and Newcestown, meaning that their clash in Carrigtwohill will serve to decide who finishes first and second. Equally, while the meeting of the Barrs and Newcestown in Cloughduv will not affect qualification, there is the incentive to avoid finishing bottom and potentially being dragged into the relegation mire with defeat.
That’s something that Charleville will also be looking to do, as last week’s draw between Kanturk and Midleton had the knock-on effect of ending the knockout hopes of the North Cork side, who reached the final of Division 1 of the RedFM Hurling League, losing out to Sars.
They play Kanturk in Buttevant, with the Duhallow side needing at least a draw to be sure of progress. If Erin’s Own were to beat Midleton in Páirc Uí Rinn, the Caherlag side would go through but defeats for Midleton and Kanturk would more than likely provide a stay of execution for the Magpies on scoring difference.
Group 1 – Douglas v Milford, Mallow; Meelin v Russell Rovers, Fermoy; Group 2 – Ballygarvan v Barryroe, Cloughduv; Kilbrittain v Nemo Rangers, Macroom; Group 3 – Argideen Rangers v St Catherine’s, Carrigtwohill; Glen Rovers v St Finbarr’s, Páirc Uí Rinn.
Group 1 – Aghada v Midleton, Castlemartyr; Ballygiblin v Sarsfields, Killavullen; Group 2 – Bandon v Erin’s Own, Riverstick; Blackrock v Kildorrery, Glanworth; Group 3 – Cloughduv v Mayfield, Ballincollig; Lisgoold v Youghal, Aghavine.
Group 1 – Blarney v Na Piarsaigh, Ovens; Carrigtwohill v Courcey Rovers, Carrigaline; Group 2 – Bride Rovers v Fermoy, Ballynoe; Castlelyons v Cloyne, Dungourney; Group 3 – Ballyhea v Glen Rovers, Kanturk; Inniscarra v Killeagh, Cobh.
Group 1 – Bishopstown v Sarsfields, Rathcormac; Douglas v Newtownshandrum, Mourneabbey; Group 2 – Blackrock v Fr O’Neills, Carrigtwohill; Newcestown v St Finbarr’s, Cloughduv; Group 3 – Charleville v Kanturk, Buttevant; Erin’s Own v Midleton, Páirc Uí Rinn.
Group 1 – Carrigaline v Castlemartyr, Lisgoold; Valley Rovers v Watergrasshill, Páirc Uí Rinn; Group 2 – Aghabullogue v Ballincollig, Ballyanly; Éire Óg v Mallow, Grenagh; Group 3 – Ballinhassig v Kilworth, Castlelyons; Ballymartle v Dungourney, Ballymaw.
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