Premier JHC preview: Cloughduv battle Barryroe after turnaround in fortunes
Barryroe's Olan O'Donovan and Clougduv's Mark Verling in action in last year's Co-op SuperStores Premier JHC. Picture: David Creedon
Once the quarter-finals of the county championships kick in, those sides facing each other are on a level playing field, with what has gone before then serving as a guide but nothing more.
After two rounds of fixtures in the group stages of the Co-op SuperStores Premier JHC, the fortunes of Barryroe and Cloughduv could not have been more contrasting: the south-west side had guaranteed themselves top spot after wins over St Finbarr’s and Argideen Rangers while defeats to St Catherine’s and Tracton left the mid-Cork outfit on the verge of elimination.
However, events transpired to bring the clubs together on Saturday in Enniskeane.
A team in Barryroe’s situation will be targeting a semi-final spot but while their opponents in the last match cannot qualify for the knockouts, they will be desperate for a win to avoid the relegation play-off and so it was that Mayfield beat them a fortnight ago.
At the same time as that, Cloughduv beat Milford by eight points, with late scores for them coupled with one for St Catherine’s against Tracton serving to send the green and gold through in second on scoring difference.
Olan O’Donovan, Ryan O’Donovan and Luke Murphy are all capable of making their presence felt for Barryroe, while Cloughduv will look to the Verlings, Mark and Brian, as well as Eoghan Clifford.
On Sunday, Barryroe’s neighbours Argideen Rangers take on Ballygarvan in Ballinspittle with the other semi-final spot up for grabs – Catherine’s and Kilshannig have already taken the express route to the last four.
Seán Walsh, John Michael O’Callaghan and Finbarr Butler are among those capable of doing damage for the Timoleague side, whereas their opponents – semi-finalists against the eventual champions Kilbrittain last year – will seek inspiration from players such as Seán Brady, Michael Cussen and Ray O’Halloran.
Also on Sunday, barring a draw either Milford or Nemo Rangers will be dropping down to junior A level as they face off against each other in Ballyhooly.
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