Cork Hurling: Picking the clubs ready to grab their place in knockout stages

The finishing group positions in the Co-Op Superstores Premier Senior Hurling Championship may not be set in stone as we head into the deciding weekend, but it is unlikely there will be any major surprises when the final whistles blast out on Sunday evening.

The second round saw the likes of St Finbarr’s, Glen Rovers and Sarsfields all recover from defeats to ensure they are now perfectly poised to qualify for the knockout stages.

Group 1 sees Kanturk facing Blackrock at Mourneabbey knowing they were a whisker away from that being a group decider given it took a late show from Glen Rovers to get the better of them the last day, with late Simon Kennefick and Eoin O’Leary scores breaking Kanturk hearts.

They still have a chance of qualification. They will assume that Glen Rovers will get the better of Fr O’Neill’s in Carrigtwohill, meaning that if they could pull a shock by beating the Rockies they would send the group to the deciding lottery that is 'Total Scoring Difference'. For the record, along with Blackrock they go into the weekend both on +11 while the Glen are on zero.

This could get really interesting if Kanturk are still in the mix after half-time and could be the story of the weekend.

Of course, should Blackrock beat Kanturk then it will all be academic, assuming the Glen win, as the Blackpool side would then go through on the head-to-head rule. That would be cruel on Kanturk, but that is championship hurling for you.

Unlikely

In theory, Group 2 could be box office, as we have what looks a straight shootout for qualification at Páirc Uí Rinn between Douglas and Sars, but in reality, it would be the shock of all shocks should Douglas down the county champions.

Douglas put themselves in a position to beat Newtownshandrum on opening day, but had to settle for a draw, while they were reeled in easily by a Charleville side with the wind at their backs in Mallow. Sars might not be at top form at present but it does not look like Douglas have the firepower to trouble them.

In Group 3, Bride Rovers find themselves in a similar situation to Kanturk in that they must beat group leaders Midleton to give themselves a realistic chance of progression while also hoping that the St Finbarr’s versus Newcestown game goes their way.

Any hopes they have hinge on the availability and fitness of key attackers Adam Walsh and Brian Roche. Walsh went off injured in the 22nd minute of the defeat to St Finbarr’s. And while Roche played the entire hour his leg was heavily strapped. 

They need both firing on full cylinders to have a realistic shot on Sunday.

Midleton did not look like world beaters when scrapping past Newcestown the last day, thanks to David Cremin’s late winner. A similar showing would give Rovers a modicum of hope but they would need Walsh to put in the kind of target man display that saw Seán O’Donovan give the Magpies defence huge issues.

That performance gives Newcestown real hope of getting the result they need to guarantee their Premier Senior status for 2027. Having survival as a motivating factor can be the greatest hunger in hurling so the Barrs can expect a right tussle in Enniskeane. 

And the injuries to Brian Hayes and Jack Cahalane against Bride Rovers leave the Togher club vulnerable, as panel depth is one of their big question marks.

Currently, we are looking at a Newcestown versus Fr O’Neill’s battle to avoid the drop to Senior A, although both clubs can save themselves that stress with a victory on Sunday.

Up for grabs

The group stage of the Senior A championship concludes on Saturday night and there should be a few major talking points.

Castlelyons would have had ambitions of winning the title given their performances in recent years but they face Ballyhea in Mallow to ensure they are not pulled into a relegation play-off. The Imokilly side should have too much for the North Cork side.

Groups 2 and 3 have two proper knockout ties to look forward to.

Na Piarsaigh and Killeagh meet in Midleton to decide which club joins Erins Own as qualifiers from Group 2. They had a right battle last year at the same venue with Barry Walsh and Daire Connery both hitting 1-8 as Killeagh emerged winners by 2-26 to 2-24. Sunday could well be as tight.

Carrigtwohill and Ballinhassig face off at Páirc Uí Rinn knowing that an Inniscarra victory over Courcey Rovers would see the losing side eliminated. All the Group 3 games have been tightly fought so we can expect those ties to go right to the wire on Saturday evening.