Cork Hurling: Intermediate A and Premier Junior previews
Aidan Murphy of Cloughduv (centre) impressed as they beat Nemo Rangers. Picture: Jim Coughlan
Prior to the commencement of the county championships, we examined how relegation can prove to be a slippery slope.
There are far more instances of sides struggling in the year, or years, after a demotion than there are of an immediate bounceback – Glen Rovers’ 2024 victory in the Co-op SuperStores SAHC was the first hurling example of a team earning promotion back at the first attempt.
The yang to the Glen’s yin were Aghabullogue – the winners of the county IAHC in 2023, they were unfortunate first of all to end up in the Premier IHC relegation play-off after six sides finished with two points in the group stage and then it took a replay before they fell to Kilworth.
Thankfully for the Coachford side, the return to the intermediate A grade was a winning one as they began their campaign a fortnight ago with a good Group 2 win over Blackrock, in which James Lane, Luke Casey and Matthew Bradley impressed.
Next up is a clash with Youghal in Lisgoold this afternoon and the East Cork outfit come into the game needing a positive result after an opening-round defeat to Sarsfields. Tomorrow sees Sars and Blackrock meet each other in Whitechurch.
Last year’s Premier JHC winners Russell Rovers fell short against Bandon in their main IAHC outing but they have a chance to get back on track tomorrow afternoon when they do battle with Mayfield at Caherlag.
The city side were beaten by Midleton last time out and the clash of the Magpies’ second team and Bandon in Church Road at 2pm affords one of the teams an opportunity to move to four points after two games in Group 1.
In Group 3, there is a local derby between Kildorrery and Ballygiblin with both sides looking for their first points – Ballygiblin lost to Erin’s Own while Kildorrery were deemed to have drawn with Aghada but an appeal regarding to score led to that result being voided and a re-fixture ordered.
Swapping places with Russell Rovers at the end of last year were Cloughduv but their first game in Premier Junior was the perfect response to relegation, with Seán O'Leary, Ciarán Canty and Aidan Murphy all scoring goals in a 3-20 to 0-17 win over Nemo Rangers.
On Sunday, the Mid-Cork side take on Kilbrittain, who beat Barryroe, in Newcestown, while Nemo and Barryroe clash in Ballygarvan.
Ballygarvan themselves are in Group 3 action tomorrow, against 2024 Junior A champions Tracton in Riverstick, while the other game in that group sees Milford take on Argideen Rangers in Ovens today.
The two Group 1 fixtures are also today: St Catherine’s clash with Meelin in Buttevant while the second teams of St Finbarr’s and Glen Rovers meet.
Aghabullogue v Youghal, Lisgoold, 4.30pm.
St Catherine’s v Meelin, Buttevant, 4.30pm; St Finbarr’s v Glen Rovers, 5.30pm; Barryroe v Nemo Rangers, Ballygarvan, 4.30pm; Milford v Argideen Rangers, Ovens, 5.30pm.
Midleton v Bandon, Church Road, 2pm; Russell Rovers v Mayfield, Caherlag, 4pm; Blackrock v Sarsfields, Whitechurch, 6.30pm; Kildorrery v Ballygiblin, Glanworth, 2pm.
Kilbrittain v Cloughduv, Newcestown, 4pm; Tracton v Ballygarvan, Riverstick, 2pm.
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