The race for the Cork Club Hurling Championship is hotting up. With Patrick Horgan and Glen Rovers waiting in the last four – who will join them in the race for the Seán Óg Murphy Cup? There is a feast of Cork SHC action down on Leeside this weekend.
SEPT 12th Sarsfields v Erin’s Own PÁIRC UÍ CHAOIMH 7.30
Erin’s Own have lived on the edge thus far. They were sluggish against Blackrock. To their credit, they rallied impressively and almost got something out of the game. They then needed a last gasp goal to edge Newtownshandrum. Robbie O’Flynn is a class act and they will need him firing here.
Sarsfield’s eased into the last eight when steamrolling Ballyhea 2-30 to, 1-15. Liam Healy, Jack O’Connor, and James Sweeney have all been hugely impressive. With wins over Midelton and Douglas, they have been the form team so far. They will fancy their chances against a misfiring Erin’s Own.
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SUNDAY SEPT 13 Douglas v Blackrock PÁIRC UÍ CHAOIMH 2 PM
Douglas had a real dog-fight with Middelton before emerging as one-point winners. Shane Kingston finished with 0-10 to his credit and added seven of these from frees. Alan Cadogan was at his imperious best in the first half. Brian Turnbull then took up the slack, as Middelton could not conjure up the draw they needed to advance.
Blackrock were impressive in topping their group. They had nine points to spare over Bishopstown in their last group fixture. The 2017 Cork County finalists may not have the big-name stars of their opponents, but they are a formidable unit. Alan Connolly and Tadhg Deasy have been flying. They accounted for Erin’s Own by four points in an impressive opening championship salvo. If they can limit the influence of Cadogan and Kingston, they could well progress here.
SUNDAY SEPT 13 UCC v Na Piarsaigh SHC PÁIRC UÍ RINN 7 PM
Na Piarsaigh have stellar performers in Evan Sheehan, Shane Forde, and Christopher Joyce. They will want to forget their last group encounter, however. Patrick Horgan and Co inflicted a 15 point hammering on the Northside club.
Could UCC bridge a 50-year gap to their last Cork club hurling title. They eliminated champions Imokilly in the last round. The conundrum as ever is player availability. In some cases, a player might line out with his club on a Sunday afternoon, and subsequently, don the UCC colors on Sunday night. It is hardly ideal but that is the nature of UCC. If they get the likes of Shane Conway and Mark Coleman on the pitch, they could well prevail here.
