Blackrock v Barrs derby kickstarts pivotal weekend in Cork Premier SHC

Irish Examiner

a day ago

This weekend is make or break for a number of clubs in the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier SHC. Some eagerly anticipated ties await and for the teams that secured opening day wins - Sarsfields, Charleville, Blackrock, Midleton, Glen Rovers and St Finbarr's - they will try and carry that momentum into the next round, safe in the knowledge that they have already delivered.
Come Sunday evening, there will be a clearer picture.
Of the six games to be decided, there are three standout derby clashes including Blackrock v St Finbarr's who get proceedings underway. The clash is certain to attract a huge crowd to Páirc Uí Rinn this evening at 7.30pm.
In this all-city clash, both sides are in a positive state following their respective victories over Kanturk and Douglas.
Ger Cunningham's charges were boosted by the return of their five Cork players (albeit minus the injured Brian Hayes) and recorded a nine-point triumph over Douglas.
The Barrs are champions from three years ago, when incidentally they got the better of the Rockies. They've come off an up-and-down campaign, but they kick-started this year on an optimistic note with Ben Cunningham, Jack Cahalane and William Buckley top in the scoring charts.
Jamie Harrington's Blackrock edged past the Barrs last summer thanks to a late Robbie Cotter goal. And it was a Michael O'Halloran goal that helped the champions of 2020 past Kanturk a fortnight ago, while Alan Connolly accounted for five points.
Large crowds are expected at the Boreenmanna Road venue again tomorrow when it will host a double header, the second of which involves Erin's Own and county final runners-up and titleholders from the previous year Sarsfields (7pm) - another pairing that is sure to whet the appetite.
These near neighbours need no introduction.
The Glounthaune club is among six teams that kicked off their season with a disappointing defeat. Together with Fr O'Neill's, Newcestown, Kanturk, Douglas and Newtownshandrum, they seek a favourable result to keep their championship hopes on track.
New manager Shay Bowen, who recently retired as their number one goalkeeper after over two decades of incredible service with Erin's Own, is at the helm. His team is in a period of transition, but he will be heartened by their strong finish against Glen Rovers.
Goalscorer Finn O'Brien and Robbie O'Flynn are players they will look to.
Johnny Crowley's Sars had 14 points to spare over Fr O'Neill's and the All-Ireland club finalists were inspired by Jack O'Connor, Cian Darcy and the dead ball accuracy of Colm McCarthy.
They will be favourites in this all east-Cork battle.
On Sunday, all roads lead to Milford (4pm) for Charleville v Newtownshandrum when these two north-Cork heavyweights collide. With so much on the line for both outfits, the atmosphere will be electric.
Former soccer player Dominic Foley is in as coach to Charleville and helped steer them to an 11-point success over Newcestown. And after difficult times over the years - including 2024, when they faced the prospect of relegation - this has to be a significant result for them. Psychologically, more than anything else.
An impressive league display is encouraging news for their supporters too and demonstrates how much they have evolved as a group while awaiting the return of their leading light Darragh Fitzgibbon.
The mention of Newtownshandrum, and the input of Tim O'Mahony and Cormac O'Brien cannot be underestimated. O'Mahony, in particular, has filled a variety of positions over the years for his beloved Green and Gold.
Newtown too, have come off a decent league.
Midleton provided round one opposition and it was the Magpies that emerged five point winners.