Cork camogie quarter-final preview: Champions St Finbarr's still team to beat
St Finbarr's Sorcha McCartan in action against Rachel Hurley, Cloughduv. McCartan has been in top form for her club in the SE Systems Championship so far this season. Picture: Jim Coughlan
Four intriguing games are in store over the weekend as the quarter-finals of the SE Systems Senior Club Camogie Championship take place.
Tomorrow there is a double header at MTU, which sees St Finbarr’s take on Killeagh at 2pm and Ballinora face Blackrock at 4pm.
Down at Castle Road, at 1.30pm, Sarsfields face St Catherine’s and on Sunday, at the same venue, Glen Rovers are in action against Éire Óg at 3pm.
The Barrs are the defending champions and will be firm favourites to get the better of Killeagh tomorrow.
The strength of their squad has been key to their 100% record in the group games as they have kept up their relentless march to retain the title.
They are now in the position where they almost have two players for every position as was seen in their clash with Inniscarra.
Aoife O’Neill had to go off injured early on, and at that stage was probably their best player on the pitch. But on came Aisling Egan and when you have someone of that calibre to bring on it doesn’t upset the balance of the side.
Up front Sorcha McCartan and Orlaith Cahalane have been outstanding, as has Kate Wall, but you can also add in others like Keeva McCarthy and Nicole Olden to that mix.
Killeagh won’t make it easy and will be led by Hannah Looney and Laura Treacy. But they have plenty other quality players in the likes of Chloe Sigerson, Rachel Sheehen and Sarah Kent. But overall the Barrs should be too strong and will be expected to come out on top.
The Rockies have bounced back from an early loss to the Barrs and will be determined to keep that momentum going tomorrow.
Hayley Ryan is their key player, but they will need others to step up as well, including the likes of Cliona O’Callaghan, Jess Murphy and Erinn Curtin if they are to advance.
Sars will also be the fancied side against St Catherine’s and are packed with quality across every line. Sinead Hurley and Olivia McAllen will anchor their defence, with Ava Fitzgerald driving them on from midfield.
In front of her Clare Mullins, Kate Fennessy, Lucy Allen and Orlaith Mullins are a handful for any defence.
Laura Hayes will lead the Catherine’s challenge, and will be backed up by the likes of Orla Cotter, who has been superb all season, Faye Sheehan, Niamh O’Regan and Ally Mulkerrins.
They won’t make it easy for Sars and are a side no one fancies taking on and there won’t be much in this come the end of the hour.
Erin Healy, Isobel Sheehan, Clara Murphy and Edel Sheehan are just some of the players they will look to against a quality Glen side.
Emma Murphy and Katie Walsh will lead the Glen challenge, with Kelly Falvey, Leanne O’Sullivan and Sophie O’Sullivan all in great form so far.
A tough game to call and it would be no great surprise to see the Glen advance to the semi-final, as they did last year.
St Finbarr’s v Killeagh, MTU, 2pm;
Ballinora v Blackrock, MTU, 4pm;
Sarsfields v St Catherine’s, Castle Road, 1.30pm.
Glen Rovers v Éire Óg, Castle Road, 3pm.
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