IAHC preview: East Cork derby starts off intriguing weekend
Russell Rovers' Ciarán Sheehan is held by Midleton's Adam Faye in the clubs' 2025 Co-op SuperStores IAHC clash - Midleton take on Youghal in a quarter-final while Rovers are up against Ballygiblin in the relegation play-off.
A fortnight ago, Russell Rovers were pushing hard in their last Co-op SuperStores IAHC Group 3 game against Bandon at Páirc Uí Rinn.
With time almost up, the Lilywhites held an 0-18 to 0-17 lead and Russell Rovers sought a late goal that would have given them a win.
Victory for the east Cork side would have made for a four-way tie on three points each as Aghada were beating Kilbrittain – while qualification would have been beyond Rovers, they would have stayed out of the relegation play-off.
Instead, the 2024 premier junior champions take on the 2022 winners of the fifth tier, Ballygiblin, on Saturday, with throw-in at 4pm in Rathcormac.
Had Russell Rovers beaten Bandon, it would also have served to eliminated the beaten finalists of last year, with Kilbrittain qualifying ahead of their neighbours; instead, Bandon have gone straight through to the semi-finals along with the team they beaten in the last four in 2025, Sarsfields.
On Friday night, the first of the two remaining places will be decided as Midleton meet Youghal in an east Cork derby in Dungourney.
The Magpies were beaten finalists against Aghabullogue in 2023 and last year they finished on four points along with both Bandon and Russell Rovers, the latter missing out on scoring difference. This time around, they opened with a loss against recently-relegated Mallow but responded to beat Blackrock before a draw against Kildorrery secured second place.
Aaron Mulcahy scored ten points in the 1-19 each tie, while the returning Sam Quirke and Luke O’Farrell were among the scorers too – crucially, the fact that Midleton’s first team advanced directly to the premier senior semi-finals means that the intermediates won’t have their available squad weakened for the Youghal clash.
Youghal finished second to Sars in Group 3, rubberstamping their progression with a ten-point win over an Erin’s Own side that only lost the 2024 final to Lisgoold after a replay. James Murray scored 0-12 for Youghal while Oisín Hill bagged 1-2 as they secured a first knockout tie since the change in competition format in 2020 – after relegation from premier intermediate in 2022 they have twice needed to win the play-off at intermediate A level.
The other quarter-final takes place on Saturday. Two years ago, Mallow were semi-finalists at premier league but they ended up being relegated last year – they ensured there was no fear of a slide though as they went through their group with two wins and a draw and now they take on Aghada in Blarney.
William Leahy and John Looney were to the fore as the east Cork side produced an impressive display to see off last year’s premier junior winners Kilbrittain – Jamie O’Hanlon got the goal at a vital time for Fergal Condon’s side.
Seán Hayes, Paul Lyons and Daniel Sheehan have all impacted heavily for Mallow to date and could be central to their hopes once more.
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