The Echo Sport Podcast: Cork hurling semi-finals deliver great drama, plus football preview

We're down to the last 10 clubs hunting the major trophies on Leeside after a cracking weekend of semi-finals and the Echo Sport Podcast crew review all the action.

The Premier Senior games were absolutely riveting, both decided by a puck of a sliotar to leave us with a repeat of the East Cork derby two years ago when Sarsfields beat Midleton.

Both clubs came from behind in the semis, Midleton reeling in Blackrock before Conor Lehane's clutch free from deep in added time of extra time, and Sars using all their experience to shut down the Barrs late on. Lehane grabbed the headlines for the Magpies but Pa White nailed a staggering 0-7 from play. Sars had their usual spread of scorers but Jack O'Connor, top-scorer from play across the whole campaign, clipped 0-4.

FRUSTRATED

The Rockies were left frustrated and came agonisingly close to victory on a day when they were paying tribute to their former goalie Trevor Barry, who tragically died earlier in the week.

It'll be an Eastern affair in the Senior A decider as well, after Castlelyons upset the odds by putting four goals past Blarney, including a David Morrison hat-trick, and Bride Rovers edged out Carrigtwohill. Rovers had been knocked out at the semi-final stage for the previous four years, making it a hugely significant win for the club.

At Premier Intermediate, Ballinhassig take on Ballincollig in a rematch of their opening group game, where the Carrigdhoun side won comfortably. Injuries have been an issue for both teams across the last two months, which makes reaching the final more commendable.

In the IAHC, it'll be Aghabullogue, on a mission to bounce back after relegation, against a Bandon side spearheaded by former Cork senior Michael Cahalane.

In Premier Junior, Kilbrittain will take on Glen Rovers' second team, who defied expectations by eliminating Cloughduv.

On this week's podcast, we also preview the football semi-final weekend, including Nemo v Newcestown, Barrs-Ballincollig, Cill na Martra against Éire Óg and Uibh Laoire and Aghada.

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.