Cork PSFC predictions revisited: how they stacked up
Steven Sherlock, St Finbarr's getting in a shot on Micheál Aodh Martin, Nemo Rangers in the McCarthy Insurance Group SFC final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture: Dan Linehan
With the Premier Senior hurling predications reviewed last week, it’s only right to turn the page to the big ball and ask the same question: how did those July calls age now that October has delivered its answers in the PSFC?
Better than expected, as it happens. Three from four – mirroring the strike-rate in the hurling – and a little redemption after last year’s abysmal predictions. Champion, dark horse, underperformer all boxed off. Only the relegation shout went sideways.
For the third straight season, I tipped St Finbarr’s to win the county. At the third time of asking, finally, they returned the favour. The irony here is that I almost didn’t give it to the Barrs. But the rule tweaks – orange flag, solo-and-go – were built for their rhythm and their runners. It tilted the field just enough in their favour.
And so, persistence paid. A victory for patience – or stubbornness, depending on how you see it.
At the time of casting the original predictions, I was torn where to go with this one, but I settled on Newcestown. Something about their league outings hinted at it. There was a clear quality and identity in their football.
Come championship, they confirmed as much. Not only did they beat Valleys and Mallow, they took down reigning champions Castlehaven and then beat Carrigaline on penalties to reach the semi-final. A successful season, and a nice prediction, if I do say so myself.
Never an easy call, primarily because of how influential the groups are in determining which bottom half teams end up in the relegation fight.
I circled three – St Michael’s, Carbery Rangers, Valley Rovers – and two of them duly found themselves staring down the trapdoor. I picked Valleys to suffer the fall, they survived after a replay win over Carbery Rangers.
Got the relegation playoff duo right but the winner wrong. Another half point?
It’s always tricky sifting through the groups to try and pick a team that are expecting and hoping to have a decent season, and say 'no, not this time.'
I went with Mallow, and their season wasn’t exactly awful. Sure they lost to Newcestown, a game they probably feel they should be capable of winning – but they lost by four to the reigning champions and beat Valley Rovers by eight. It just means the defeat to Newcestown was the difference between reaching the knockouts and going out in the group.
It wasn’t the step forward last year’s semi-final appearance suggested was possible. Close, competitive, but still short. In this exercise, that counts as a miss.
Add it up across hurling and football and it’s six from eight. Seven, if you’re one who rewards near misses and moral victories – though sport rarely does.
The aim is to go 100% next year, but I’m sure I’ll be back to being humbled in 2026.
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