RedFM Hurling League: Glen Rovers the opposition as Sarsfields begin four-in-a-row quest

The opening salvo in Sarsfields’ quest for an unprecedented fourth straight RedFM Hurling League title gets this year’s competition underway tonight.

Since Johnny Crowley returned as manager of the Riverstown club at the beginning of 2023, Sars have established themselves as the undisputed standard-bears in Cork. As well as winning two Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC titles – and losing the final in other year – they have taken a strong grip on the Conroy Cup.

Across the last three campaigns, Sars have played 30 games in the league – winning 21 of 27 regular fixtures, with a draw and five losses, and overcoming Blackrock, Charleville and St Finbarr’s respectively in the finals.

The only previous three in a row was that of Blackrock from 1970-72 inclusive and Sars’ depth is so strong – and, as has been documented, they have no players away on senior inter-county duty – that they will be favourites again.

Their opening fixture is the visit of Glen Rovers to Páirc Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh tonight (7.30pm), with the city side – third in last year’s league – benefiting from the input of former Cork coach Donal O’Rourke this year.

The other four top-flight fixtures take place on Sunday morning. The 2025 runners-up the Barrs, who are of course without the services of a number of Cork panellists, welcome neighbours and rivals Blackrock to Neenan Park while the beaten county finalists Midleton make their return to Division 1 with a local-derby home clash against Fr O’Neill’s.

The other promoted side are Killeagh and they have a home tie too, with Douglas making the trip to east Cork, while Charleville, who reached the championship quarter-finals, host Carrigtwohill.

While it is a new year, two of the sides meeting in the opening round in Division 2 – all five games on Sunday – won’t lack for familiarity. Newtownshandrum are at home to Erin’s Own and it will the clubs’ third successive meeting in competitive action – last autumn, Newtown preserved their premier senior status with a replay victory over the Caherlag side.

Both have new management teams in place, with Gerdi O’Mahony and Alan G O’Brien returning to Newtown while Brendan O’Riordan is in the Erin’s Own hotseat.

The two sides relegated from Division 1, Kanturk and Carrigaline, play each other this weekend while the Division 3 champions of 2025, Bride Rovers – who went on to secure promotion from senior A – host Valley Rovers.

The team they beat in the league final after extra time, Newcestown, are up away to Na Piarsaigh while Ballymartle clash with Ballincollig in the other game.

REDFM HURLING LEAGUE FIXTURES

Friday, March 6

Division 1: Sarsfields v Glen Rovers, 7.30pm.

Saturday, March 7 (3pm unless stated)

Division 4: Ballyhea v Kildorrery.

Division 5: Glen Rovers v Cloyne, Kilbrittain v Midleton, Youghal v Dungourney (4pm).

Division 6: Sarsfields v Killavullen (12 noon), Ballygiblin v Erin’s Own, Aghada v Diarmuid Ó Mathúna’s (4pm), Kinsale v Mayfield (4pm).

Division 7: Douglas v Ballinora, Killeagh v Barryroe, Passage v Na Piarsaigh.

Sunday, March 8 (11.30am unless stated)

Division 1: Charleville v Carrigtwohill, Killeagh v Douglas, Midleton v Fr O’Neill’s, St Finbarr’s v Blackrock.

Division 2: Ballymartle v Ballincollig, Kanturk v Carrigaline, Newtownshandrum v Erin’s Own, Bride Rovers v Valley Rovers (12 noon), Na Piarsaigh v Newcestown (2pm).

Division 3: Courcey Rovers v Ballinhassig, Éire Óg v Castlelyons, Fermoy v Blarney, Inniscarra v Russell Rovers.

Division 4: Cloughduv v Aghabullogue, Mallow v Bishopstown, St Catherine’s v Watergrasshill.

Division 5: Milford v Ballygarvan, Tracton v Castlemartyr.

Division 6: Ballinascarthy v Argideen Rangers.

Division 7: Kilshannig v Meelin.

Monday, March 9

Division 3: Lisgoold v Bandon, 8pm.

Tuesday, March 10

Division 4: Blackrock v Kilworth, 8pm.

Division 7: St Finbarr’s v Carraig na bhFear, 7.30pm.