Two Semi-Finals, Four Sides and Everything to Play For

(JJ Hurley)

Action from last year's Ross Oil Junior A Hurling Final between Belgooly and Kinsale

Carrigdhoun Junior A Hurling reaches the business end

It is knockout time in the Carrigdhoun Junior A Hurling Championship, and this weekend has all the ingredients of a cracking couple of days in the South East.

The Ross Oil-sponsored semi-finals see four teams — Kinsale, Belgooly, Valley Rovers and Ballymartle — go head-to-head with a place in the divisional final at stake.

And while the form book may point towards a particular final, there is no guarantee that is the one we will get.

Kinsale v Belgooly

First up is Saturday evening's meeting between defending champions Belgooly and last year's beaten finalists Kinsale.

Ballinspittle is the venue, with a 5pm throw-in.

On paper, Kinsale look to have the edge. They have shown enough during the championship to suggest that they are building towards their best form at the right time, while Belgooly arrive with a number of notable absentees.

Kinsale's campaign did not get off to the perfect start, losing to Ballymartle, but they responded impressively with victories over Ballinhassig and Carrigaline.

There is also plenty of youthful promise in the Kinsale ranks.

David Forde and Ollie Buckley have caught the eye, while John O'Brien remains the man opponents will be most wary of when it comes to putting the ball between the posts.

Kevin Cahill has taken over the management reins this season and will know that another victory would put Kinsale within touching distance of finally getting their hands on the South East title.

But standing in their way are the defending champions.

Belgooly came through the group stages with wins over Shamrocks and Courcey Rovers, and while they may be missing some of their regulars, they certainly won't be short on experience.

Barry Dwyer continues to lead from the front, while the O'Donovan brothers provide plenty of experience and know-how.

Kinsale may enter as favourites, but Belgooly have been here before.

And knockout hurling has a funny habit of ignoring the form book.

Valley Rovers v Ballymartle

Sunday brings the second semi-final, and this one could be every bit as intriguing.

Valley Rovers take on Ballymartle in Ballinhassig at 3.30pm, with a place in the final awaiting the winners.

The two sides know each other well, having crossed paths in recent South East campaigns, while their meeting earlier this year in the Co-Op Superstores Premier Intermediate Championship produced a hugely entertaining contest.

Valley Rovers come into the weekend with plenty on their plate.

They face Dungourney on Saturday in the Premier Intermediate semi-final, before turning their attention to Ballymartle the following afternoon.

There is no shortage of quality in the Innishannon ranks, and their scoring statistics underline that.

A points difference of 41 leaves them well clear of the other three semi-finalists, and on paper they have plenty going for them.

But Ballymartle will not be travelling to Ballinhassig simply to make up the numbers.

Ger Cummins leads an experienced management team and will have his players fully focused on getting back to a South East final.

Their earlier championship performance against Kinsale showed what they are capable of, while their quarter-final victory over Shamrocks has given them another boost at precisely the right time.

There has been plenty happening away from the field in recent weeks, but Ballymartle will be hoping that Sunday's game provides the perfect opportunity to put all of that to one side and let the hurling do the talking.

Valley Rovers have an additional weapon too.

Their impressive Under-20 side means there is plenty of young talent coming through the ranks, although any players required by the Premier Intermediate side could potentially have an impact on Sunday's selection.

That could be a significant factor.

No room for passengers

The temptation is to predict a Valley Rovers-Kinsale final.

On paper, it makes sense.

But championships are not won on paper.

Kinsale will fancy their chances against a Belgooly side missing some key men. Valley Rovers will believe their greater scoring power can see them through against Ballymartle.

Yet both underdogs have enough experience and quality to turn the script upside down.

Belgooly are the defending champions.

Ballymartle know exactly what it takes to reach a South East final.

Two games. Four teams. One ticket to the final from each.

The predictions can wait.

Come Saturday evening, the only thing that matters is who handles the pressure when it really counts.