Double-header in Páirc Uí Chaoimh 4G as U21 A quarter-finals get underway

SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh’s 4G will play host to today’s county U21 A Hurling Championship quarter finals, as Ballincollig take on reigning champions Midleton at 1pm, while city winners Glen Rovers face Valley Rovers at 3pm.

Both Midleton and Glen will be fancied to advance, but in U21 hurling, there’s always room for a sting in the tail, and both Valleys and Ballincollig have the credentials to trouble the two Premier Senior giants.

Ballincollig arrive off the back of a strong Muskerry final win over Inniscarra, pulling clear in the second half as Conor Dalton led the charge with 1-3. There’s real substance to their side too – Brian Dore, James Dwyer, Theo Morgan, Tadhg O’Connell and David O’Leary all featured in this year’s county final defeat to Ballinhassig and bring plenty of experience into this campaign.

Dwyer, in particular, has been immense. Commanding at centre-back in that divisional decider, he carried that form into the week when he and O’Connell helped UCC edge UL in the Third Level Senior Hurling League semi-final.

They’ll renew college acquaintances today with Midleton’s Dave Cremin – scorer of 0-4 in both the east Cork final win over Bride Rovers and the semi-final against Carrigtwohill. Cremin and his fellow co-captain Mikey Finn have been superb across those outings and remain central figures again here.

The Magpies will also lean on the rest of their senior contingent. Tadhg O’Leary Hayes has anchored the full-back line, notably keeping Bride Rovers’ Adam Walsh quiet in the east Cork final after a breakthrough year with the senior team. 

Evan McGrath’s development has been another highlight – his performances at centre-forward growing in influence with every game.

Beyond that core, Midleton’s depth is striking. Minors Cian Stack and Peter Barrett are always lively up front, while Conor Morley’s sharp goal sense adds another layer of threat. The winner of this clash will meet Newcestown in the semi-final, the Carbery champions receiving the bye after already seeing off Bandon in that divisional final.

In the second quarter-final, Glen Rovers will begin as firm favourites against Valley Rovers given the sheer power and pedigree coursing through their team.

Rhys Dunne, Eoin O’Leary and Stephen Lynam spearhead an attack already familiar to senior championship days, but what makes this Glen side so formidable is the infusion of talent from their back-to-back minor winning groups of 2023 and 2024.

The Brosnans, Michael Tadhg, Josh and Jake, the latter of which made his senior debut this year, all started in their emphatic 4-21 to 1-12 win over Blackrock in the city final, while Conor McCarthy and Diarmuid Wall, both of whom broke into the senior set up this year, were central to that victory too.

Wall scored 1-8 (0-6 f) from centre-forward against the Rockies, while Eoin O’Leary bagged 1-4, with the AG’s star forward Gavin O’Callaghan getting 1-2 and Jake Brosnan scoring the last of their four goals in a performance that showed just how loaded this Glen team is with pace, experience and an abundance of skill across every line.

Valley Rovers, though, have form of their own. They cruised past Ballinhassig in the Carrigdhoun final, 3-14 to 0-9, firing in 2-6 by the 18th minute. 

Donncha O’Connell and Kevin Dart O’Flynn grabbed the early goals – the latter capping a superb solo run with a thunderous finish.

Evan O’Shea was their standout performer up front, while Cork U20 defender Eoin Guinane marshalled things superbly at the back alongside Charlie O’Sullivan. Former Cork minor Joe Twohig added a third goal after the break, though an injury to David Carthew – who is likely to miss today – was the one sour note.

Shane Ryan’s two points from midfield added further balance to Valleys’ display, but the challenge awaiting them now is another level altogether.

Glen Rovers, with their blend of senior know-how and youthful flair, will take some stopping. The prize for the winner is a semi-final against Shandrum, who beat Mallow in the north Cork final.