County U21 quarter-finals to run on home-and-away basis

The quarter-finals of the Cork U21 hurling and football championship quarter-finals are to operate on a home-and-away basis.

The decisions has been taken by the competitions control committee (CCC) of Cork County Board, who highlighted the difficulty in sourcing neutral venues at this time of year, when may club grounds are unavailable.

While the top five tiers of the county hurling and football championships, from premier senior to premier junior, have been completed, the junior A competitions and three grades of U21 are still on the fixture schedule.

In a circular to clubs, the CCC noted that there had been “severe pressure to source neutral venues for junior championship fixtures this weekend [November 6-8].

“On the weekend of November 15, a further 17 junior and U21 championship fixtures are scheduled to take place.

“Due to the significant number of club venues currently unavailable, the CCC has decided that the U21 hurling and football championship quarter-finals will be played on a home-and-away basis. The CCC will review the situation once again ahead of the semi-finals.”

The CCC also made clear that the lack of options is a worry, saying that it was “concerned by the shortage of available venues at this time of year, together with the difficulties encountered in securing clubs willing to host championship fixtures throughout the season.

“We fully appreciate the demands placed on clubs in caring for their facilities, accommodating their own teams and managing their own fixtures. However, all clubs also rightly expect suitable venues to be available for their own championship fixtures.

“It is therefore important that all clubs recognise their responsibility in supporting the club championships, by making their own facilities available to host games.

“Ahead of upcoming club AGMs, we would ask all clubs to give consideration to the availability of their venue for the hosting of championship fixtures in 2027.

“The co-operation and support of all clubs is essential to ensuring that competitions can be completed.”

The draws for the U21 football quarter-finals have been made and the hurling will follow in due course.

November 13-15 (home teams first)

U21AFC quarter-finals: Nemo Rangers/Douglas v Éire Óg/Naomh Abán, Castlehaven v Glenville/St Colmcille’s, Carrigaline v Beara, Avondhu a bye.

U21BFC quarter-finals: Mitchelstown v Croke Rovers/Sliabh Luachra Gaels, Ballinora v Passage/Nemo Rangers, Erin’s Own/Cobh v St Colum’s, Diarmuid Ó Murchú’s a bye.

U21CFC quarter-finals: Charleville v St Peter’s/Dromtarriffe, Cill na Martra v Brian Dillon’s/Ballyphehane, Kilbrittain v Glenville/Castlelyons, Tractoe a bye.