(JJ Hurley)
Carrigaline face a fancied Ballincollig side in the semi-final of the Co-Op Superstore Premier Intermediate Hurling Final in Ballygarvan on Saturday at 4pm
16 years have passed since the ‘village’ appeared in a county final, defeating Bandon in the Intermediate Championship of 2008.
However, team coach, Eddie Murphy, who has guided his charges to Saturday’s showdown against the favourites for the competition, is taking nothing for granted.
‘The odds may have shortened since the Ballinhassig game but to be honest Ballincollig would have been one of the favourites at the start of the year,’ he said.
‘They have played division one in the league and picked up two Bishopstown senior players this year and have a huge pick, many of whom have played for Cork underage teams.
‘They went through their group undefeated and won every game comprehensively, two by seven points,’ Eddie remarked.
However, Carrigaline will fear no side, having sent Ballinhassig packing in the ¼ final of the championship and already claimed the scalp of the aristocrats of Cork hurling, St Finbarrs in the final of the Co Op Superstore Division Two League.
‘I have consistently said they are good hurlers; they have responded to everything I have asked them,’ Eddie said.
‘The lads are very honest and, in my opinion, very talented and great to deal with.
‘A lovely bunch of lads, with no egos, very humble who want to progress Carrigaline hurling.’ Eddie added.
The team also possess several strong leaders in its ranks, Rob O’Shea was a colossus in the last game against fellow residents of the Carrigdhoun Division, Ballinhassig.
Brian Kelleher continues to punish teams from the dead ball, with his deadly accuracy in front of the posts.
However, they are not alone, as there are other leaders in its ranks as Eddie also points to David Drake, David Griffin, Darragh King and its netminder Robert Foster, whom he describes as been fantastic.
‘They are a clean team, great ambassadors for Carrig, outstanding clubmen and deserve success for the effort they have put in,’ Eddie said.
Eddie is looking forward to Saturday.
He thinks there is great pressure on Ballincollig to win this, he doesn’t think the same pressure is on Carrigaline.
‘Once 4pm comes, it's dog-eat-dog and the prize is great to get to a county final, and it would do wonders for the club.
‘It’s going to be very hard to win on Saturday, we know that, but to be in the semi-final of a county is special,’ Eddie points out
Carrig Netminder, Robert Foster, has been an important factor in reaching Saturday's Co Op Superstores PIH Semi -Final. Picture (Bernard Laverty)
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