Carbery boss would prefer more games for divisions

Carbery have put a big effort into preparing for tonight’s Co-op SuperStores Divisions/Colleges Hurling Championship clash with Seandún – manager William Hourihane just wishes things were not on such a knife-edge.

The south-west side face Seandún in a phase 1 clash in Ovens (7.30pm) – win and they will have a semi-final to look forward to against Muskerry, but if they lose they are out.

It’s a big test but Hourihane is pleased with how they have fared to date.

“We've had two challenge matches and a couple of training sessions,” he said.

“We had two more games organised as well but unfortunately they got cancelled – not from our side but injuries and stuff like that.

“We're not too bad and we should have a good number on Tuesday night.

“It's hard, to be honest – divisional sides are notoriously hard to put together but we did a lot of work earlier in the year and it has paid off.

“Being only guaranteed one game is difficult. If we lose on Tuesday night, we’re out, despite putting a lot of work into it.

“I don’t know how you’d fix it but I think you’d want to be guaranteed two.”

Former Cork star Mike Cahalane will be a key man for Carbery, who can also call on the likes of Ronan Crowley, Eoin O’Neill and Aaron Holland from the Kilbrittain team that won the All-Ireland junior club title in January.

In total, nine clubs are represented on the panel, with St Colum’s clubman Hourihane joined by Pat Kenneally – a member of the Carbery team won the county SHC in 1994 – Don Ryan, Pat Lucey and Fergul Keohane.

“There has been a great buy-in, we’ve always had the numbers for games,” he said.

“The clubs have been very good – they’re busy themselves but they appreciate the benefit that players get from being involved.

“I’m happy enough buy you never know what’ll happen when the championship match comes around.”