John Horgan: Imokilly are out but East Cork hurling clubs could still win all the top grades

Imokilly may have departed the Premier Cork County SHC, but East Cork clubs are still very much involved across the landscape in the chase for the big prize in four of the five grades.

Those still standing in all five are now approaching the penultimate fence and there exists the possibility that in four of them we could have teams from the region competing against each other on final day. Of course, it has to be stressed that the opposition that those clubs will encounter in the semi-finals will have quite a lot to say in trying to deny that.

The only grade that is certain to have an East Cork club represented in a final is the Senior A Championship because in one of the two semi-finals, it is a divisional local derby, Carrigtwohill against Bride Rovers.

Throw in Castlelyons and you have a very strong representation from the division in the last four, but they face a formidable task in trying to get past last season’s beaten finalists, Blarney.

Moving down a grade to Premier Intermediate level and you have Dungourney and Cloyne still going strong and again the possibility exists of an all East Cork decider if Dungourney can overcome what is certain to be a very formidable challenge from Ballincollig and Cloyne deny Ballinhassig.

Ballincollig had one very poor day at the office in the group stage, losing heavily to Ballinhassig, but subsequently, they have been a reinvented unit in eliminating Castlemartyr and last season’s beaten finalists, Carrigaline. That latest victory illustrated that this Ballincollig team have found the form necessary to go all the way and this showdown with unbeaten Dungourney carries huge potential.

Cloyne, it would probably have to be said, might not have been one of the more fancied sides at the outset but they have more than justified their presence now in the final four.

This is very much a new-look Cloyne team from the team of yesteryear and they exhibited the renowned spirit and battling qualities of the club in edging out Valley Rovers last Sunday night.

This was a difficult fixture for both clubs after an unfortunate injury to a Valley Rovers player 24 hours earlier which led to the game being abandoned.

Cloyne, with Paudie O’Sullivan, now manning the centre-back role, got home by the bare minimum and now it’s Ballinhassig for them in the semi-final.

Getting through to the last four of this PIHC is an achievement in itself given how level the playing field is among all the 12 starters. And it’s still a huge task in trying to predict who will collect the trophy.

Down to the lower intermediate grade and again the possibility exists of an all-East Cork decider with Aghada and Sarsfields on the opposite side of the semi-final draw against Aghabullogue and Bandon respectively.

Neither Aghada nor Sars' second string will have it easy in those semi-finals, but where there’s life there’s very much hope.

Four divisions are represented in the last four of the Premier JHC, the Glen from the city, Cloughduv from Muskerry, Kilbrittain from Carbery, and Ballygarvan from Carrigdhoun.

Try coming up with a winner from that quartet.

WIDE OPEN

So, while East Cork clubs might have the greater dominance in the grades there is still a decent spread from the rest with, of course, the flagship competition, the Premier SHC generating most of the debate.

It’s East Cork against the city in both semi-finals and extremely difficult to forecast what might transpire. It’s stating the obvious to declare that it’s a wide-open race with maybe no clearcut favourite.

All four, Midleton, the Rockies, the Barrs, and Sars have all been on the winner’s podium in recent years, all four with a very strong pedigree.

The older generation might long for a return to the thunderous battles of the past and huge attendance that were present.

But those days are long gone, the game of hurling has evolved so much since and it could be said that we are now witnessing a different game altogether.

Long ago we marvelled at the first-time pull on the ground, the overhead connection was a joy to behold, but now it’s very much a possession-based game. However, the skills, have reached another level altogether and there is such a change in the tactical approach.

It could be suggested that this season’s premier grade on Leeside has not fully ignited yet although the fare on offer in some games has been impressive.

Of the three quarter-finals that were played last weekend, one might not be too far wrong in stating that the Barrs’ performance in ousting Imokilly was the most impressive. Throughout the field they dominated their opponents, never allowing their much vaunted rivals to gain any sort of a foothold that might have made things more difficult for them.

In fact, as a unit this was one of the best displays from this Barrs team this observer has seen throughout the championship.

And when you eliminate the champions in their own backyard, the confidence levels have to rise accordingly.

FANCIED

Maybe, this Barrs team have timed it to perfection after a somewhat indifferent return at the group stage; we’ll find out next Sunday week against the team that is still the big fancy among the pundits, the team from Riverstown.

In stark contrast to the Barrs, Sarsfields had to dig much deeper to overcome a brave challenge from a Charleville side that would not have been fancied at the outset.

The North Cork side have now departed the proceedings and have surely taken plenty of positives from the campaign.

But it’s the Barrs and Sars now and the Rockies against Midleton, try calling both games.

Meanwhile, thank the lord the relegation decider between Erin’s Own and Newtownshandrum which by all accounts was a cracker and ended up in a draw did not end in a penalty shootout and a replay is necessary.

Erin’s Own will be hoping that they have not missed the boat after losing a four-goal advantage.

We all know that a big lead in hurling can be reduced quickly but a four-goal advantage has to have the ball firmly in your court.

Credit to Newtown for their riposte and the question might now be posed if both teams had played as well at the group stage they might not have ended up in this position.

But both are still very much alive after a game that contained some very fine scores.

One team who are not alive, though, are Bishopstown who will be competing at PIHC level next season after their second relegation in two seasons, losing out to Courcey Rovers in the senior A championship.

The Ballinspittle unit left it late but in doing so they exhibited a never-say-die character that has preserved their senior status.

In stark contrast, this relegation has to be a huge blow to the ‘Town and the work will surely have to begin immediately in the effort to climb back up the ladder.