John Horgan on hurling: Blackrock secure semi spot but Sars look the Cork club team to beat

All the big guns are still firing in the Premier Cork County SHC, no late drama in the final round of the group stage of the competition.

All the games had a similar throw-in time which meant, of course, you could only be present at one of them.

Páirc Uí Rinn housed the game that featured two teams who were already guaranteed their place in the knockout stage, Sarsfields and the Glen. There was no shortage of entertainment throughout the hour, even if the proceedings lacked the type of cutting edge that you'd associate with a contest when your championship season was on the line.

And that was understandable, whatever way it panned out both were going to have another day at least to extend their season that bit further.

It was a strange type of game at Páirc Uí Rinn, Sars bursting out of the traps to lead by 1-6 to 0-2 in the early sequences only to be outscored thereafter 1-6 to 0-0. When the Riverstown outfit held that early advantage, there might have been a school of thought that believed that this was going to be a one-way traffic sort of game.

But the Glen's quick response was admirable and the game was always very interesting and enjoyable before Sars finished the stronger to gain the verdict.

IN FORM

There were some fine individual displays on both sides, Barry O'Flynn belting in Sars brace of goals, Daniel Hogan being very conspicuous with five points from open play and James Sweeney and Danny Kearney sharing six points between them.

For the Glen, what's new here, Patrick Horgan was the standout player and in this game anyway sending out a strong message to the new Cork management that he can still play a role for them next season.

Here's one who firmly believes that anyway after his haul of 2-10.

The Downey brothers, Micheál Mullins, and that great servant, Dean Brosnan all contributed scores of note for the Glen and their management team will take plenty of positives before their quarter-final assignment.

At this point in time, however, Sars look well-equipped to get their hands on the old trophy again, having witnessed them on a few occasions in the group stage, full points from their three outings speaks for itself. 

There is also a fine depth in the squad, Jack O'Connor a non-starter last Sunday before being introduced late on.

This time, however, they must take a longer route if they are going to be involved on final day, losing out to the Rockies in the joust for the semi-final spot.

The Church Road team, as a result of trouncing Douglas, ended up with the superior points difference and for that they must be commended.

Getting that one semi-final spot is a fine achievement because they had two local derbies in the city to deal with in the Barrs and Douglas, as well as a Kanturk side that can be difficult opponents for the best of teams.

DIRECT

The Rockies now have a month on the sideline before they emerge for their semi-final assignment against either Midleton or the Glen and while there might be a school of thought that believe that could hinder them, a bit of ring rust and all that type of nonsense, given the choice, every team would choose to take the direct route.

The Rockies have done just that thus avoiding a potentially tricky quarter-final game.

In stark contrast, it has been another hugely disappointing season for Douglas, the one positive for them being the fact that they avoided getting involved in the relegation scrap as a result of their draw with Kanturk.

And for Kanturk, it's a similar story, that point also proving to be a precious one.

Douglas lost their two games against their Southside rivals the 'Barrs and Rockies by a combined total of 31 points and that has to be a big concern.

There must have been some apprehension in the 'Barrs camp in advance of their final group outing against Kanturk, all the more so because of how poorly they fared against Blackrock but they came up trumps and there was no repeat of 12 months earlier when they failed to make the knockout stage.

Now, however, they must dethrone the champions Imokilly in the quarter-final, obviously a huge task and they will probably carry the underdog tag in that game.

But emerging from the group was the initial priority and two wins from three ensured that was the case.

Midleton will have been happy to overcome what was a potentially difficult enough challenge from already qualified Charleville. Their performance was significantly better than it was in their previous outing against Newcestown when they were fortunate enough to secure a draw.

Themselves and the Glen should have a right aul battle in the quarter-final.

In stark contrast to the good news stories from the final round of group stage games, there is the tale of the two sides who must now face into a relegation decider, two former champions, Erin's Own and Newtowshandrum.

One of them is now going to lose their premier senior status and that will be very difficult to take, dropping down a grade that will not be easy to graduate back up from.

Erin's Own fell to Fr O'Neill's in a contest fraught with tension given what was at stake while Newtown came a-cropper against Newcestown, who despite having their championship season terminated, had a decent campaign, just the one loss to Charleville.

The battling qualities, the sheer grit and determination that has always been a hallmark of Newcestown teams was evident again on Sunday.

Erin's Own from the outset were viewed as a team in transition, many of the old guard who gave such sterling service are no longer involved at Premier level. They registered 4-14 in their loss to O'Neill's and in their game with neighbours Sarsfields they they scored 3-15. In some instances, those fine tallies would have been good enough for the victory.

Both themselves and Newtown have enjoyed some glorious days on the biggest of stages in the early 2000s but now they must reset for a game of massive importance.

All the leading contenders for the big prize at the outset remain very much in the equation and there is much to look forward to when the action resumes again. When the time comes, we'll try and predict who might join the Rockies in the last four.

However, the thinking at this stage might be that Sars will be too strong for Charleville, Imokilly, with club commitments a factor, might be a little stronger than the Barrs but you would not be rushing to the bookies for this one.

TIGHT

Midleton and the Glen is probably the most difficult of the three quarter-finals to nail down and when the time comes we'll give our verdict on that one.

Of the three, it's the game with the greatest potential. For the Rockies, however, they can take a back seat and have a good, hard look at the rest of the challenging bunch.

They'll be happy to do just that.