CORK SHC
The identity of the first semi-finalist in this year’s Cork senior hurling championship will be known on Saturday evening with Ballymartle and Na Piarsaigh meeting at the quarter-final stage in Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 4.15pm. Ballymartle, All-Ireland intermediate club hurling champions last year, have enjoyed a fine season to date at senior level with victories over Blackrock and Courcey Rovers with Darren McCarthy and Brian Corry both having been involved in the Rebels inter-county senior squad in recent times.
The 2004 Cork champions Na Piarsaigh were boosted by a 1-15 to 1-11 replay victory over Newtownshandrum at the fourth round stage last weekend with county panellists Sean Óg Ó hAilpín, John Gardiner and Christopher Joyce at the forefront of their challenge.
That clash is a double-header on Saturday with the curtain-raiser being the fourth round meeting of 2010 county champions Sarsfields against Blackrock. Sarsfields are backboned by county men Cian McCarthy, Daniel Kearney and Conor O’Sullivan while former Cork defensive star Wayne Sherlock is still to the fore for a Blackrock side who preserved their senior status with victory over Bride Rovers last time out. The two teams are bidding for a quarter-final showdown with reigning champions Carrigtwohill.
On Sunday afternoon there are also two fourth round ties in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. At 3.45pm Douglas, who can call on Eoin Cadogan and Stephen Moylan, face a Bishopstown team with Shane O’Neill and Patrick Cronin on board. The winners here face Midleton in the last eight. Finally at 5.30pm, third-level outfit Cork IT who can call on the likes of Lorcan McLoughlin, Aidan Walsh and Limerick’s Tommy Quaid play a St Finbarr’s side who will seek inspiration from current senior Damien Cahalane and former senior Ronan Curran.
WATERFORD SHC
The final round of group games in the Déise senior hurling championship take place this weekend with the quarter-final line-up set to be completed. Lismore from Group 1 along with Fourmilewater and De La Salle from Group 2 have clinched their places in the last eight with the other five spots up for grabs.
The last three Group 1 games all take place on Saturday evening at 6.30pm. In the Fraher Field table-toppers Lismore, who can call on Dan and Maurice Shanahan, face a Ballygunner team who are on five points and have Stephen O’Keeffe, Philip Mahony and Pauric Mahony on board.
In Cappoquin, Abbeyside-Ballinacourty, who will be spearheaded by Richie Foley, and are on four points, play Stephen Molumphy’s Ballyduff Upper who are bottom of the table with two points. The remaining Group 1 tie is on in Leamybrien where Passage, who are on three points, and are lead by Noel Connors and Eoin Kelly face a Dungarvan side, who have five points, and can call on Jamie Nagle.
The three games in Group 2 will be held on Sunday afternoon at 3.30pm. In the Fraher Field Fourmilewater, anchored by Shane Walsh and Liam Lawlor, and with eight points to their name after four games, meet a Tallow side who have only three points and will seek inspiration from Paul O’Brien and Thomas Ryan.
In Walsh Park Mount Sion who have two points, with Tony Browne and Martin O’Neill in their line-up, face a Roanmore team, who can call on Gavin O’Brien, with three points to their name. The last match sees De La Salle, the club of John Mullane and Kevin Moran, who have six points playing Dunhill who are on two points and whose county star is Eamonn Murphy.
WEXFORD SHC
The semi-final place in the Model County are on offer this weekend with a double-headers in Wexford Park on Saturday and Sunday evening. First up on Saturday at 4pm is the meeting of Rathnure and St Anne’s. Rathnure are without county star Jack Guiney who is in America but still have former attacking great Paul Codd while Diarmuid O’Keeffe is St Anne’s inter-county representative.
The second game on Saturday sees Ferns clash with reigning champions and last year’s Leinster club finalists Oulart-The-Ballagh at 5.30pm. Ferns have senior panellists in Paul Morris and James Tonks but they will be outsiders against the kingpins who have Keith Rossiter, David Redmond, Shaun Murphy, Gareth Sinnott, Rory Jacob, Eoin Moore, Darren Stamp and Paul Roche in their ranks.
On Sunday in Wexford Park, Faythe Harriers play St Abban’s Adamstown at 4pm. Richie Kehoe is Faythe Harriers star turn while young attacker Rhys Clarke is also a vital presence and county minor Tony French is a pivotal presence in the St Abban’s Adamstown ranks.
While at 5.30pm on Sunday it will be the tie between Shelmaliers and St Martin’s at the same venue. Stephen Banville is in the Shelmaliers ranks but St Martin’s could have the edge with Willie Deveraux, Stephen Murphy and Diarmuid Lyng on board.
