McCarthy Insurance Group FL preview: Clonakilty looking to make it three wins from three
Clonakilty's Dan Peet and Douglas' Jack Cunningham in a race for the ball two weeks ago. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Clonakilty will look to make it three wins from the first three games in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League this weekend.
The Brewery Town outfit travel to Mahon to take on St Michael’s on Sunday morning with throw-in at 11.30am. Martin O’Brien’s side have been impressive so far in their wins on home soil over Éire Óg and Douglas.
St Michael’s have been competitive so far this year, beating last year’s league winners, Carrigaline, in Mahon on the opening weekend. Despite shipping five goals in a 5-13 to 1-14 loss last time out away to Castlehaven, the overall performance wasn’t a bad one from the city side.
It should be a decent game. A Clonakilty win would put them joint top with St Finbarr's after Brian Roche's charges beat Nemo Rangers away from home on Thursday by two points.
Elsewhere in Division 1, Castlehaven will be looking to build on the big win over St Michael’s when they face home team Newcestown tomorrow at 3pm.
Newcestown, like the Haven, are on two points, but they too are also coming off the back of a victory last time out. Jim O’Sullivan’s outfit won 3-12 to 0-13 away at Carrigaline.
Douglas entertain Éire Óg on Sunday at 12.15pm with both sides still waiting to hit their straps. The city side beat a depleted Castlehaven team first day out before losing 2-13 to 0-6 at Clonakilty.
Éire Óg have lost their opening two games to Clonakilty and St Finbarr’s, but they would have been happier after the last game where they were much more competitive.
Finally from the top-tier of the league, Carrigaline will be desperate to get their first points of the season away to Cill na Martra on Sunday (11.30am).
Last year’s league champions and SAFC winners have been well below par in losses to St Michael’s and Newcestown, albeit they are down many players at the moment due to a combination of reasons.
Cill na Martra fared quite well on their home patch against St Finbarr’s in the first game, losing by five points on a day when Steven Sherlock hit 0-15. The Muskerry side would have been disappointed by their 4-9 to 1-9 defeat away at Nemo Rangers over two weeks ago.
In Division 2, the two teams relegated from Division 1 last year clashed last evening as Carbery Rangers beat Ballincollig away. The Rosscarbery-based team won by a point thanks to a two-pointer from a free right at the end from goalkeeper Paul Shanahan.
Dohenys and Knocknagree were on four points prior to this weekend, as well as Carbery Rangers, with Ballincollig a point behind. Ross have breathing space at the top for now.
Dohenys host Castletownbere tomorrow at 7pm while on Sunday, a mouthwatering Duhallow derby between home side Knocknagree and Kanturk with throw-in at 11.30am. Also on Sunday at the same time, O'Donovan Rossa welcome Valley Rovers to Skibbereen and Fermoy entertain Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh.
Tomorrow: Newcestown v Castlehaven, 3pm.
Sunday: Cill na Martra v Carrigaline, 11.30am; Douglas v Éire Óg, 12.15pm; St Michael’s v Clonakilty, 11.30am.
Tomorrow: Dohenys v Castletownbere, 7pm.
Sunday (all 11.30am): Fermoy v Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh; Knocknagree v Kanturk; O’Donovan Rossa v Valley Rovers.
Sunday: Kiskeam v Bishopstown, 11.30am; Naomh Abán v Kilshannig, 11.30am; Iveleary v Clyda Rovers, 11.30am; Newmarket v Aghada, 12.30pm.
This evening: Glanmire v Bantry Blues, 8pm.
Tomorrow: Nemo Rangers v Buttevant, 1pm.
Sunday (all 11.30am): Adrigole v Aghabullogue; Boherbue v St Vincent’s; Macroom v Bandon.
This evening: Millstreet v Ballydesmond, 8pm.
Sunday: Glenville v Kinsale, 11.30am; Ilen Rovers v Ballinora, 1pm; Gabriel Rangers v Mitchelstown, Ballymaw, 3pm.
Tomorrow: St Michael’s v St Nick’s, 3pm; Cullen v Mayfield, 5pm.
Sunday (all 11.30am): Aghinagh v Na Piarsaigh; Cobh v Canovee; Kildorrery v Dromtarriffe.
This evening: Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels v St James’, Cloughduv, 8.15pm.
Sunday: Ballygarvan v Argideen Rangers, 11.30am; Castlemagner v Kilmacabea, 11.30am; Urhan v Ballyhooly, 11.30am; Inniscarra v Nemo Rangers, 2pm.
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