Cork Camogie preview: Glen Rovers keen to build on impressive opening round victory

Wednesday night will see round two of the SE Systems Cork Senior Camogie Championship gets underway with two games being played.

The champions, St Finbarr’s, will be looking to build on their opening round win over Blackrock when they head to Na Piarsaigh to take on Inniscarra.

The Barrs were tested by Blackrock before they pulled away in the second half and know they will have another test tomorrow night, but it is one they will be expected to win.

Sorcha McCartan led by example for the Barrs, but it was their defence in particular that was outstanding on the night against the Rockies.

Stephanie Punch must be one of the most underrated players at club level and was outstanding again against the Rockies.

She is the type of corner-back that any forward hates being marked by and never lets her side down. It’s no great surprise to see she is captain of the Barrs again this season and they are among the favourites for overall honours.

When you then add in others like Meabh Cahalane, Aisling Egan, Aoife O’Neill, and Ciara Olden they are not short of top-class defenders.

Kate Wall missed the Rockies game and she is expected to be back for the clash with Inniscarra to further strengthen their attacking options, which also included Orlaith Cahalane and Keeva McCarthy.

Inniscarra lost to St Catherine’s in round one and know that this is going to be another tough game for them.

They will be hoping that the likes of Caoimhe Buckley, Julie Lyons, Ciara Ring, Erin Looney, Claudia Keane, and Ellen Crowley got help them cause an upset.

Blackrock head to Castlelyons to take on Catherine’s in what should be a close game.

The Rockies have a nicely balanced side, led by the likes of Hayley Ryan, Erinn Curtin, Juliette O’Keeffe, Jess Murphy, Moira Ryan, and Oonagh Grimley.

Catherine’s aren’t short of quality players either and Orla Cotter rolled back the years as she was one of those to lead her side in their opening round win over Inniscarra.

Add in others like Eimear O’Brien, Ally Mulkerrins, Fiona Neville, Niamh O’Regan, and their Cork star Laura Hayes and they certainly won’t fear taking on the Barrs.

It should be a highly entertaining game and could go either way, but Catherine’s will be slight favourites to make it two from two.

On Thursday night the Glen travel to MTU to take on Cloughduv and the northside outfit will be hoping for another win after their impressive victory over Courcey Rovers.

Sophie O’Sullivan was one of the stars of their win, along with Emma Murphy and Leanne O’Sullivan.

Cloughduv also got off to a winning start, defeating Ballinora, and will look to keeper Ciara O’Leary to try keep them out.

Up front they have the considerable threat of Niamh McNabola and Amy Sheppard to lead their attack, with Emma O’Sullivan another they will look to for a big game. Both Ballinora and Courcey Rovers will be hoping to get off the mark as they clash at Inniscarra.

Sars will be expected to make it two from two when they take on Éire Óg at Castle Road next Saturday afternoon.

FIXTURES

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1

Blackrock v St Catherine’s, Castlelyons, 7pm. St Finbarr’s v Inniscarra, Na Piarsaigh, 7pm.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28

Ballinora v Courcey Rovers, Inniscarra, 7pm. Glen Rovers v Cloughduv, MTU, 7pm.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30

Sarsfields v Éire Óg, Castle Road, 4pm.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Muskerry v Carbery, Newcestown, 7pm.