The Echo Sport Podcast: St Finbarr's deliver knockout blow, Hurler of the Week plus football preview

The Cork club hurling quarter-finals and relegation playoffs didn't disappoint with the Barrs taking the headlines by dethroning Imokilly.

Ger Cunningham's side had shown mixed form in the group stages but with Brian Hayes back as their attacking spearhead, they produced their best when it mattered. Ethan Twomey was superb at the heart of the midfield and their defence was collectively brilliant to neuter Imokilly's top guns.

Next up is a clash with favourites Sars, who shook off a dogged Charleville, helped by Jack O'Connor's 0-5 from play.

On the other side of the draw Blackrock, the top seeds, will face a Midleton outfit who produced a storming fourth quarter to reel in Glen Rovers. Cormac Beausang's two goals were crucial while Patrick Horgan, with 2-9, shot the lights out yet again for the northsiders but they'll be disappointed to have missed a great chance to reach the semis.

At Senior A, there were no upsets with Bride Rovers and Blarney powering into the semi-finals. Carrigtwohill and Castlelyons await and all four clubs will feel they've the talent and form to land the title.

In the lower grades, Ballincollig and Cloyne, after a 24-hour delay, secured passage to the Premier Intermediate semis, Aghabullogue and Bandon are through in Intermediate A, and at Premier Junior, Cloughduv and Ballygarvan, are into the last four.

Erin's Own and Newtown will have to do it again in the Premier Senior relegation playoff while Castlelmartyr, Courceys, Youghal and Barryroe all won their deciders to stay up.

CONTENDERS

There was no shortage of contenders for Hurler of the Week, including Turlough O'Neill, whose scores helped Newtown avoid the drop against Erin's Own, Cian Barrett who lit it up for Blarney, Damien Cahalane for his defensive prowess for the Barrs, and Conor Cahill, who nailed 0-5 for Cloyne. 

It’s a huge weekend on the club football front with the knockout stages taking place and we pick out the matches to catch in the various grades, with Castlehaven v St Finbarr's the main attraction, along with Éire Óg against Bishopstown and Kanturk-Knocknagree in Senior A.

Now in its third season, every week Éamonn Murphy will be joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, Jack McKay, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field.

You can listen to the Echo Sport Podcast every week wherever you get your podcasts or on www.echolive.ie/podcast.