Cork hurling: Picking the champions, dark horses and club to get relegated from Premier Senior
Sarsfields' Jack O'Connor is tackled by Na Fianna's Conor McHugh. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
In a week’s time, the Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship returns, with Imokilly bidding to retain their crown, and Glen Rovers rejoining the likes of Sarsfields, Midleton, Blackrock and St Finbarr’s in the hunt to reach the summit once again.
As ever, it’s an impossible championship to predict – but I’ll give it another shot. I’ve had a few stinkers over the years, but I’ve also landed a couple of calls.
Tipping Glen Rovers to win it all in 2023 was probably my worst. Still, last year wasn’t too far off: I had Sarsfields to lift the cup, Kanturk as my dark horse, Douglas to underperform – and I correctly called Bishopstown’s relegation.
This year? Another tough one to call.
Imokilly will want another. Sars will want theirs back. Glen Rovers have a point to prove.
I expect Imokilly to be strong again, though the loss of their Watergrasshill contingent is a serious blow. If they’re to go back-to-back, it’ll take even more than what got them over the line last year.
Alongside them, I’ve got St Finbarr’s and Sarsfields – with Sars as my pick to go all the way. They’ve shown remarkable consistency in recent seasons, and their depth is unrivalled.
There’s no superstar element as such – just a side full of high-quality hurlers who all know their roles. That balance has brought them close, and I think it’ll bring them over the line this time.
Blackrock and Midleton aren’t far behind either. The Rockies continue to build steadily, while Midleton with Tommy O’Connell, Conor Lehane and Brion Saunderson are a different proposition entirely. They’ll be right in the mix.
But for me – this is Sarsfields’ year.
You could argue Glen Rovers are the dark horse, being newly promoted. But given the stature and expectation that follows them, they’re not outsiders. They’re contenders.
So for this, I’m going for a different pick. Charleville.
James Kennedy’s side have caught my eye this year. They’ve been without Jack Doyle for large spells, and with him back, they’ve got a top-class scoring option. Seán Bresnan has also been a revelation in his debut adult campaign, and with Darragh Fitzgibbon joining the mix too, this is a stronger side than they get credit for.
Every group is a minefield – but they’ll quietly fancy their chances against Newtownshandrum and Kanturk. Win those two, and they could be safely through before their final clash with Midleton.
They might just catch a few by surprise.
All three groups are stacked, but one team stands out in this conversation. Newcestown managed to survive last year, but this time it may be a step too far.
Playoffs, of course, are a lottery – just ask Glen Rovers – but I’d back the Caherlag side to avoid the drop if it comes to that.
If it’s not Newcestown, then Erin’s Own would be next in line.
This one came down to Blackrock or Newtownshandrum, based on how I think the groups will shake out.
It’s always tricky to predict an underperformer before a ball is pucked – but there’s always one.
If I’m backing Charleville to emerge from Group 2 alongside Midleton, then that means Newtownshandrum miss out. And that would definitely qualify as underperformance, given their quality.
They’re a seriously good side, and I’ll probably regret this prediction in a few months.
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