Sides battle to make knockout stages of minor football championship
Douglas' Liam Cregan shoots past Glanmire's goalkeeper Zach Deane and Ruaidhri Dennehy during their Cork ETB Rebel Óg P1MFC clash at Douglas. Both sides will be hoping to make the knockout stages of the championship tonight. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
The final round of the group stages of the Cork ETB Premier 1 and 2 minor football championships takes place tonight.
In the two groups at Premier 1 level, three of the four sides are all still in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Currently in group one, Carrigaline lead the way on four points, followed by Ballincollig and Nemo Rangers on two.
Bishopstown are the only ones not to register a win yet, but don’t bet against them taking the points tonight.
Any time they play Ballincollig, they up their game, with local bragging rights at stake. A few seasons ago the Town beat the Village, in a game they were expected to lose.
Ballincollig will be aware of this and won’t take their challenge lightly, but with home advantage will be expected to take the points.
They will then quickly turn their attentions to see the result of the clash of Carrigaline and Nemo.
Even though they lead the table on four points Carrigaline know they need to at least draw to guarantee their place in the knockout stages.
If they lose it would see themselves, Nemo, and Ballincollig (if they win), all on four points which means there would be a playoff to see which two advance from the group.
So Carrigaline will want to avoid that scenario and will be favourites to win this one. The most likely scenario is Carrigaline and Ballincollig to win and go through to the semi-finals, but it won’t be easy for either side.
It’s a similar scenario in group two, as Clonakilty lead the way on four points, followed by Douglas and Glanmire on two each.
Again, despite leading the group Clon will need at least a draw to secure a straight passage to the semi-finals. With home advantage against Glanmire, they will be favourites to do so, after impressive wins over Douglas and Na Piarsaigh in the earlier rounds.
Should that happen, then a win for Douglas over Na Piarsaigh would see them advance to the semi-finals as well.
Even though they lost to Clon in the second round, Na Piarsaigh played some good football, and this will be far from an easy game for Douglas.
Should the northside club win and Clon win, then there would be a playoff between Douglas, Glanmire, and Na Piarsaigh to see who joins Clon in the next stages.
In Premier 2 group one, Kinsale are at home to St Colum’s, knowing a win keeps them in contention for a knockout spot.
As there are three groups at Premier 2 level it could come down to scoring difference to see who goes straight to the semi-finals or into the quarter-finals.
Killeagh are at home to Donoughmore and should be too strong for the visitors. Should Kinsale and Killeagh win then a playoff would be needed to see who advances.
St Nicholas are at home to St Finbarr’s in group two, and a win for the visitors would see them into the knockout stages.
But a win for St Nicholas, and if Erin’s Own beat Diarmuid O Murchu’s then they would both go through.
Despite only having one point O Murchu’s are not out of the mix, but they must win to have any chance of going through.
In group three Macroom host Mallow, and a win for the home side will see them advance. However, if Mallow win and Éire Óg beat Midleton, then you will be looking at a playoff here as well.
So, there is a lot to play for tonight, with very few sides out of contention of making the knockout stages.
Carrigaline v Nemo Rangers, 6.30pm; Clonakilty v Glanmire, 7.30pm; Douglas v Na Piarsaigh, 7pm; Ballincollig v Bishopstown, 7pm.
Diarmuid O Murchu v Erin’s Own, 7pm; St Nicholas v St Finbarr’s, 8pm; Killeagh v Donoughmore, 7pm; Kinsale v St Colums, 7.30pm; Macroom v Mallow, 7pm, Éire Óg v Midleton, 7pm.
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