Cork hurling championships preview: Glen Rovers aim to make their mark on return to top flight
Dean Brosnan of Glen Rovers in action against Kanturk's Ryan Walsh during the 2023 Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC relegation play-off in Fermoy. Picture: Jim Coughlan
The competitive nature of the Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC since the change in format can best be sum+med up by the fact that the last club to retain the Seán Óg Murphy Cup have left and returned to the grade since then.
Glen Rovers went back-to-back in 2015 and 2016 – though of course divisional side Imokilly followed that with three on the bounce before the restructuring of the county championships for 2020.
A 12-team top flight was won by Blackrock in 2020, Midleton in 2021, St Finbarr’s in 2022 and Sarsfields in 2023 before Imokilly made it back to the top – an achievement made all the more impressive by the fact that the new system had inaugurated the senior A grade, reducing the pool of players available to divisional sides.
The 2023 season saw the Glen’s 97-year stay in the top tier come to an end as they were relegated but the response from the Blackpool outfit was strong as they won the senior A title at the first attempt – the first team to win a title the year after relegation since the recalibration of the grades.
Now, the focus for the Glen is to kick on but, such is the spread of quality, they find themselves in a group that, like the others, is hard to call.
The northsiders mark their return to premier senior on Saturday evening with a Group 1 clash against Erin’s Own at 5.30pm in Páirc Uí Rinn, the first of a double-header that also includes the meeting of Midleton and Newtownshandrum at 7.15pm.
By the time the Glen and their Caherlag opponents take to the field, they will have a better idea of the lie of the land in their section: Group 1 opens tonight with a battle between Sars and Fr O’Neills in Carrigtwohill.
Sars, having won the county in 2023 and then gone on to Munster club glory after last year’s defeat to Imokilly – as well as claiming the last three RedFM Hurling League titles – will naturally be strong favourites but Fr O’Neills laid down a strong marker last year as they qualified from a group that included Blackrock, St Finbarr’s and Newcestown.
The Barrs are also in action tonight, with a city derby against Douglas opening Group 3 before Blackrock take on Kanturk in Mallow tomorrow night.
An illustration of the quality at senior A level comes from the fact that Group 3 comprises Blarney, who have lost the last two finals; Courcey Rovers, the beaten finalists before the Muskerry side; last year’s Premier IHC winners Watergrasshill, who added Munster and All-Ireland crowns; and Bride Rovers, semi-finalists in each of the last four years.
Páirc Uí Rinn will host the first blows on Sunday, with Courceys taking on the Hill at 1.15pm and Bride Rovers tussling with Blarney at 3pm.
Also on Sunday, Na Piarsaigh clash with Killeagh in Group 1 while Carrigtwohill take on Fermoy in that section tomorrow. Bishopstown, relegated from premier senior last year, open their Group 2 challenge against Castlelyons while Ballyhea take on Inniscarra.
Sarsfields v Fr O’Neills, Carrigtwohill; St Finbarr’s v Douglas, Páirc Uí Rinn.
Erin’s Own v Glen Rovers, Páirc Uí Rinn, 5.30pm; Midleton v Newtownshandrum, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.15pm; Blackrock v Kanturk, Mallow, 7.30pm.
Carrigtwohill v Fermoy, Rathcormac, 7.30pm; Ballyhea v Inniscarra, Mourneabbey, 5.30pm; Bishopstown v Castlelyons, Blarney, 7.30pm.
Charleville v Newcestown, Grenagh, 3pm.
Na Piarsaigh v Killeagh, Midleton, 7.30pm; Courcey Rovers v Watergrasshill, Páirc Uí Rinn, 1.15pm; Bride Rovers v Blarney, Páirc Uí Rinn, 3pm.
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