Cork GAA: Guide to this weekend's U21 A hurling and football clashes
Cárthaigh Cronin, Midleton breaking between Shandrum players Bill Collins and Rory Troy in the U21 'A' hurling championship final last year. Picture: Dan Linehan
The county championships may have drawn to a close, but the nature of the split season means that it never truly stops.
The provincial and All-Ireland club series will no doubt keep us entertained until next year’s inter-county season begins, but if you’re looking for something closer to home, there’s plenty still to be found there.
Most club senior teams are finished for the year, but many of their players will be (if they’re not already) lining out in the U21 championships, with divisional games continuing this weekend and the county hurling and football sections beginning before the end of the month.
In the U21 A Hurling Championship, Ibane Gaels are the one team to have booked their place in the county section so far, and they’ll face the City division winners in their quarter final.
Ibane were one-point winners over Bandon in the Carbery decider, as Olan O’Donovan led the way from placed balls and Dara Walsh struck 1-2 from play. They will be up against it regardless of who comes through in Seandún, as St Finbarr’s face Blackrock this weekend in the semi-finals, while Glen Rovers meet Douglas in the other semi the following week, on November 15.
The winner of Ibane Gaels and their city opposition will take on the Muskerry champions in the semi.
Ballincollig will hope to retain their Mid Cork title, but they must first navigate Éire Óg in the semi-final this evening, while Inniscarra face Blarney tomorrow, on Saturday, November 7 in the other semi.
With Duhallow not entering a team in the U21 A HC, the winners of the East Cork championship will go straight to the semi-final and take on the winners of the Carrigdhoun/Avondhu quarter-final. This weekend, Killeagh face Sarsfields and Midleton take on Carrigtwohill in the Imokilly semis.
Any one of the four east Cork outfits are capable of taking the title, as Midleton are gunning for their fourth consecutive East Cork U21 title. The Magpies defeated Erin’s Own in the quarter-final, while Killeagh overcame Bride Rovers in the other quarter.
The Avondhu decider will be between reigning county champions Shandrum and Mallow, as they meet in Doneraile on November 21. The winner of that clash will take on the Carrigdhoun victors in the quarter-final. As it stands, both Valley Rovers and Carrigaline are two from two in the South East U21 A Championship. The semi-finals there are set for this weekend, with Valley Rovers taking on Courceys and Carrigaline meeting Ballinhassig.
In the U21 A Football Championship, both Carrigaline and Castlehaven have already claimed divisional glory and will be in action in next weekend’s county quarter-finals. Carrigaline will meet the Beara U21 team, while Castlehaven take on the Imokilly winner. The east Cork final is between Glenville and St Colmcille’s this weekend.
In the other quarter-final, the City division winners will take on the Muskerry victors. Nemo Rangers and Douglas are set to contest the City final next Wednesday, November 11, while Éire Óg face Naomh Abán on the same date.
The winner of their quarter-final will face either Mallow or Kilshannig, depending on how this Saturday’s north Cork final pans out.
Mid Cork U21 A HC semi-final: Ballincollig v Éire Óg, Ballincollig, 7.30pm
North Cork U21 B HC final: Ballycastle Gaels v Kilworth, Glanworth, 2pm
South East U21 A HC semi-final: Valley Rovers v Courcey Rovers, Minane Bridge, 2.30pm
West Cork U21 B HC final: Ahán Gaels v Kilbrittain, Newcestown, 2.30pm
Mid Cork U21 A HC semi-final: Inniscarra v Blarney, Ballyanly, 3pm
North Cork U21 A FC final: Kilshannig v Mallow, Mourneabbey, 6.30pm
East Cork U21 A HC semi-final: Carrigtwohill v Midleton, Dungourney, 11.30am
South East U21 A HC semi-final: Carrigaline v Ballinhassig, Carrigaline, 12pm
East Cork U21 A FC final: Glenville v St Colmcille’s, Rathcormac, 1pm
East Cork U21 A HC semi-final: Sarsfields v Killeagh, Aghavine, 5pm
Cork City U21 A HC semi-final: St Finbarr’s v Blackrock, Togher, 7pm
Cork City U21 B FC final: Passage West v Nemo Rangers, TBC, 7.30pm
Cork City U21 A FC final: Nemo Rangers v Douglas, Bishopstown, 7.30pm
Mid Cork U21 A FC final: Éire Óg v Naomh Abán, TBC, 8pm
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