Cork Hurling: Three must-see club matches to catch on Leeside this weekend
Keith Buckley and Ciaran Flynn, Na Piarsaigh, tackle Barry Walsh, Killeagh, last season. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Group favourites Erin's Own lived up to their billing so we're left with a showdown between the northsiders and the East Cork outfit to join them in the knockout stages.
Na Piarsaigh leaked three goals early on against Fermoy and then roared to a 10-point win, driven by the returning Ross O'Sullivan, talisman Daire Connery, Cian Buckley, Kevin Moynihan and Padraig Guest.
Barry Walsh is Killeagh's marquee man but they've huge potential built on a thriving underage section. Ben Walsh, Eoghan Keniry, Andy Walsh and Dylan McCarthy will also be crucial to their prospects.
Barry Walsh was the difference in last summer's meeting a 2-26 to 2-24 stonewall classic. They need to win again to progress, as Na Piarsaigh's scoring difference is superior.
Ballinhassig v Carrigtwohill.
Hassig haven't been beaten yet since promotion while Carrig are adjusting without Seán Walsh.
Dungourney came very close to making last year's final, squeezed out by Ballincollig, and were in a strong position in the opening round until a late Cloyne rally. They took their frustrations out on Lisgoold, spearheaded by the outstanding Jack Leahy and Cork U20 Cillian O'Callaghan.
Castlemartyr also lost to Cloyne and beat Lisgoold and remain strong contenders despite the season-long absence of Ciarán Joyce. They've huge experience in Barry and Brian Lawton and Mike Kelly.
A draw will do Dungourney due to their scoring difference. It'll be so tight that wouldn't be a surprise. And remember, the clubs have been paired up underage under the Kiltha Óg banner for the last 23 years...
Kilworth v Carrigaline.
Two recent runners-up collide at Páirc Uí Rinn though Kilworth's form has been better.
Both clubs were flat in the first round, St Finbarr's outgunned by Midleton and Newcestown swept aside by Bride Rovers. The Barrs bounced back with a win but Newcestown were desperately unlucky to lose by a late point.
Read More
The Blues will be favourites but the loss of Jack Cahalane for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury and Brian Hayes, for now, with an ankle issue, weakens their hand. Still, in William Buckley and Ben Cunningham they've two elite attackers to carry them through.
Both clubs have a large cohort of dual players so that won't be a factor here but for what it's worth the West Cork side lost their most recent football group game, the Barrs won theirs.
Towering target man Seán O'Donovan is Newcestown's outlet up top, Luke Meade their orchestrator from centre-back.
St Finbarr's prevailed two years ago in the last group game but it wasn't enough to get out of the group on that occasion.
Blackrock v Kanturk.
The Rockies have shot the lights out so far but Kanturk have also hurled up a storm.
App?
