RedFM Hurling League preview: Battle on to take final spot alongside Midleton
Sarsfields' Cian Darcy is tackled by Fr O'Neill's Ryan Kenneally during last year's Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC game in Carrigtwohill. The clubs meet on Sunday morning in the RedFM Hurling League. Picture: David Keane
The penultimate round of fixtures in the RedFM Hurling League takes place over the course of the coming week and there is much that could be decided at the ends of each table.
Midleton’s win over Carrigtwohill last Sunday week made it seven Division 1 victories on the trot, securing them a place in the top-flight final with two games to spare.
The Magpies, who won Division 2 last year, have seven potential final opponents, though second-placed Sarsfields are best-placed to set up what would be a repeat of the 2023 and 2025 Premier SHC finals.
Currently, the Riverstown side are in second place on ten points, four behind Midleton, with Charleville, Douglas and St Finbarr’s on eight each and Blackrock and Glen Rovers both on seven.
On Sunday morning, Sars are away to a Fr O’Neill’s side that need a positive result in order to avoid relegation, having won just one o their games so far. Douglas are at home to Midleton while St Finbarr’s will aim to put pressure on Sars when they host the Glen on Thursday night.
Blackrock’s ‘home’ game with Charleville will take place in Mourneabbey – the city side will face Kanturk at the venue in their last championship group game at the beginning of September.
A key fixture in terms of the relegation battle is the east Cork derby between Carrigtwohil and Killeagh. Currently, Carrig are on four points with their visitors on two; a home win or draw would secure safety but a Killeagh victory would give them the head-to-head advantage on their neighbours going into the final round of games.
In Division 2, Newcestown – currently in third place on nine points, one behind Bride Rovers – have a chance to move into second with a win away to Newtownshanrum tonight. The home team have six points secured already but are not yet free of relegation worries.
Bride Rovers travel to Ballincollig on Sunday, while leaders Erin’s Own host the already-relegated Ballymartle.
Saturday evening sees what could essentially turn out to be a relegation play-off – Carrigaline meet Na Piarsaigh with both sides on five points and so the winners will be safe from the drop. All hope is unlikely to be lost for the losers, however.
The battle for promotion from Division 3 is a congested one. Currently, Courcey Rovers, Ballinhassig and Blarney are on ten points each at the top, followed by Bandon and Inniscarra on nine with Éire Óg on eight.
There are just two games on Sunday morning, but each could have a bearing on the race to get up to the second tier. Ballinhassig host a Fermoy team that cannot be promoted but are all but free of relegation fears while Éire Óg make the short trip to Blarney, knowing a win is essential to keep their hopes alive.
On Thursday night, a Lisgoold win at home to Russell Rovers would guarantee them safety and relegate their neighbours.
App?
