All or Nothing for Hurling Semi Finals

(JJ Hurley)

Hurling fans in the Carrigdhoun Division will be buckling up this weekend as the  Ross Oil Junior A Division Hurling Championships reach the semi -final stage.

The first two teams to cross the white line are old rivals and neighbours, Ballinhassig and Valley Rovers, with the game down for decision in Belgooly at 4pm on Saturday.

Beaten finalists last year, Rovers have already claimed silverware in the grade in 2024, when they defeated Belgooly in the Junior A Hurling League Final at the start of the summer.

They had been the defending champions last year, but Belgooly deservedly took their crown at Minane Bridge.

However, with the Innishannon outfit eyeing up a potential double, double, as they have already claimed the divisional league football title and face Carrigaline in the Precure.ie SE Junior A Football semi-final, they will need little motivation on Saturday.

They certainly have the ammunition as several of last’s year’s winning SE U21 Hurling side will take centre stage against Ballinhassig, including Aaron White, Sean McEntee and Charlie O’Sullivan.

On the minus side, Valley’s will be without the key figures of Ciaran McCarthy and Eoghan Delaney- both of whom played in the higher grade in 2024.

Ballinhassig will not fear their opponents in what promises to be a hotly contested affair, in the league only two points separated the sides.

It is a point not lost on Ballinhassig selector, Con Coughlan, “When you get to the semi-final anything can happen on the day,” he said.

Ballinhassig also have the talent in their ranks to knock the Rovers from their perch as Eddie Finn, Gavin Sheehan and Darren Delea are capable of leading the line.

The Blues will have to play for the full hour, if they want to face either Belgooly or Tracton in the final.

 Sunday in Riverstick promises to be a sell out as the other leading contenders, Tracton and Belgooly are set to lock horns at 3.30pm.

In what has been an eagerly awaited contest, Tracton will start this contest as favourites, not that Belgooly will be bothered.

Tracton, who reached the Co Op Super Store Hurling Division Five League Final, before being soundly beaten by Watergrasshill, are under the watch-full eye of Kieran Kingston and will be led by the experienced Michael O’Sullivan and Graham Webb.

The question here is have they the legs for the youthful Belgooly side, with the impressive Eoin and Conor O’ Donovan capable of doing untold damage.

Belgooly also have the vastly experience trio of Barry, Ruairi and Jamie Dwyer all of which was recently needed as they just squeezed past Carrigaline, after extra time.

For team Bainisteoir, Sean Mc Grath, “We know the size of the task ahead of us and the mission Tracton are on to progress to the next level.

“We need to stay with them, put in a tremendous effort and if one or two decisions go our away, anything can happen,” he said.