Time to separate the men from the boys

(JJ Hurley)

A massive weekend of hurling, both locally and across the county, will decide the pairings in the Ross Oil South East Junior A, the Co-op Superstore Premier Junior A, and the Co-op Superstore Premier Intermediate Hurling Championships.

Kinsale's Michael Murphy and Tim Broderick, hoping to reach the Ross Oil Junior A Hurling Final at the weekend

Saturday clashes

The action begins in Minane Bridge at 4pm, where Ballygarvan meet old rivals Kilbrittain.Ballygarvan, buoyed by victory over St Catherine’s last time out, face an in-form Carbery outfit who look every inch favourites for the title. If Kevin Lyons and company are to cause an upset, they’ll need to find another gear.

Later that evening, Ballinhassig head to Ovens to take on Cloyne at 7.30pm. Relegated from senior last year, Cloyne are eager to bounce straight back, while Ballinhassig—impressive in their opener against Ballincollig but hampered since by injuries—must rediscover their early spark. Can the Carrigdhoun men rise to the occasion and book a county final spot?

Sunday showdowns:

Sunday belongs to the South East. At 1.30pm in Minane Bridge, Kinsale lock horns with Ballymartle. Kinsale, favourites after dispatching Belgooly in Riverstick, will once again rely on Micheál Murphy to deputise for the injured John O’Brien. But with Leo Hennessy leading a determined Ballymartle, this one may go right down to the wire.

The weekend concludes in Shanbally at 4pm, where Belgooly face Valley Rovers. Having just missed out at Premier Intermediate level, Valleys will be hungry for silverware. Belgooly, inconsistent for much of the season, showed real signs of life against Carrigaline in the quarter-final. If they’ve truly turned a corner, this could be a thriller.

Action from earlier rounds of the Co-Op Superstore Junior A Hurling Championship as Ballygarvan faced Tracton