John Horgan on Cork hurling: Country clubs showing rest how it's done at club level

It's the calm before the storm this weekend for the ten teams that will contest the five Cork County hurling finals the following weekend.

Last Sunday's two Premier Senior semi-finals certainly produced the goods, primarily because of how they developed as very exciting contests and because of how evenly matched all four teams were. In the end it took an almighty effort from Midleton and Sarsfields to get the better of their city rivals, the Rockies and the Barrs respectively.

The fact that it's another one of those East Cork derbies in the final adds further to the intrigue that will surround the big day and it will be a similar story in the Senior A decider between the neighbouring parishes of Castlelyons and Rathcormac, Bride Rovers domiciled in the latter.

Given the fact that three teams from East Cork participated in the two Senior A semi-finals there was always the strong possibility of another local derby final and that's how it transpired on a bitterly cold and windy Saturday night at headquarters.

In both cases the now finalists were probably slight underdogs in both games but there could be little argument that both were worthy winners at the final whistle.

Given the ferocity of the wind, a fairly substantial half-time advantage would have been required by the team aided by it in the opening half and in the opening game Bride Rovers went in just four points to the good which many thought would not be enough subsequently.

RESILIENT

But when you talk about Bride Rovers one has to be aware of how gritty and resilient they are, it's in the DNA of all the players who represent the club that they dig the deepest when the odds might look to be against them. And that was the case again against a Carrigtwohill team that quite a few had fancied to go all the way.

When you reach this juncture in the championship you need your big players to stand up, the more experienced individuals to stand tallest. And in the Roche brothers, Eoin and Brian, Cillian Tobin, Paddy O'Flynn and Conleith Ryan the Rovers had key personnel who made the difference.

Brian Roche has been hugely influential in the build up to the semi-final and his goal last Saturday night was a score of great significance.

Tobin fired over two long range missiles and O'Flynn's hat-trick of points were all big scores.

Blarney had endured final heartbreak in the last two seasons, losing to the Glen last time out and to Newcestown a year earlier. But they were back again in another semi-final this time and probably more of a fancy than their opponents from Castlelyons.

But this is a vastly experienced Castlelyons unit, players continuing to give sterling service from goalkeeper Jack Barry out.

He landed a monster first-half point, and as the last line of defence provided a stabilising influence for those in front of him which had brother Colm putting in a big shift as well.

Colm Spillane has always been a considerable presence when on defensive duty for Cork and his club and his brother Anthony at the other end rarely fails to deliver on the scoreboard.

Niall O'Leary did not make things easy for Shane Barrett but the real hero of the night was three-goal David Morrisson.

Goals always count and his three ensured that it was more woe for Blarney who are continually missing the influence of Padraigh Power in front of goal.

Alan Fenton is another of those Castlelyons players who more often than not make a difference and what we have now on Sunday week is a final between two teams who are practically living in each other's backyards.

They collided at the group stage last season with Bride Rovers too formidable on that occasion, winning by 11 points. That loss will surely provide an extra incentive this time for Castlelyons.

Whatever transpires, one thing will be certain, this will be a do-or-die effort from both teams with the stakes never as high as they are going to be on this occasion.

REMATCH

Dropping down a grade to the Premier Intermediate final and it's a collision of the 'B' specials, Ballincollig and Ballinhassig, their second championship meeting of the season after earlier facing off at the group stage.

Ballinhassig belted in four goals on that occasion to win by six points but it's often pointed out that you learn more from a defeat. 

This Ballincollig side had to prove their worth in getting through the tightest of groups which had all four teams on two points going into the final game, Ballinhassig against Kilworth and Ballincollig against Castlemartyr.

Ballincollig's form since that early loss to their now final rivals has been very impressive and they will be full of confidence after terrific wins over Kilworth, Castlemartyr, last season's beaten finalists Carigaline and Dungourney last weekend.

They might have been underdogs in all these games but Ronan Curran and his management team, which includes Éamonn Murphy from this parish, have done a fine job in getting them into this now eagerly-awaited final against a club, who never make it easy.

Patrick and Ger Collins, Shane McCarthy, Fintan O'Leary and Darragh O'Sullivan provide a solid backbone throughout the field for Ballinhassig and Adam O'Sullivan's absence through injury has to be factored in too.

We have been at pains to stress how difficult it has always been to emerge and make it through to the last day of this grade of hurling.

It might be a slight exaggeration to say that all 12 teams are in with a shout at the beginning but it's not that far off either.

Ballincollig and Ballinhassig have made it through and that is a considerable achievement. The old cliche, no quarter will be asked or given comes into play where these two will be concerned in the all-or-nothing final.

RURAL DOMINANCE

Across the five grades, it's very much a case of rural clubs dominating again with just one from the city, Glen Rove

rs contesting a final, facing Kilbrittain in the Premier Junior final.

It has been a thin line between success and failure, particularly at Premier Senior level and it must be stated too that the scheduling of the entire championship under the jurisdiction of the county board has been a great success as it has been with the bigger ball.

Whatever one's thoughts are on the split season it has worked out very well on Leeside and credit for that.

Last Sunday the standard at Premier Senior level was quite high and there were some outstanding individual displays.

It's likely the inter-county panel for next season will be in place very shortly and what better way for an individual to make a case for inclusion now than to turn up the heat on the biggest club day off all.

How many will survive from last season and how many newcomers will there be when Ben O'Connor reveals his hand?