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The Evening Echo All roads out of East Cork on Sunday will lead to Pairc Ui Chaoimh in support of the divisional senior hurlers who are contesting their seventh consecutive County Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final. They are throwing down the gauntlet to the defending champions Newtownshandrum at Pairc Ui Chaoimh at 6.45pm. This clash of the Titans should produce a game worthy of the County Senior Hurling Championship, with both sides bringing out the best in each other. Hoders Newtownshandrum who were humbled by St Finbarr's in the opening round and first defence of their hard-won title, have since that unexpected heavy defeat in early May, bounced back with a vengeance that has seen them at their brilliant best. They annihilated Seandun, the once mighty Glen Rovers and South East Divisional side Carraigdhoun en-route to Sunday's penultimate round tie. The defending champions have prepared diligently for Sunday's encounter under the eye of team coach Bernie O'Connor and are reported to be in pristine condition and ready, willing and eager for the fray that lies ahead. In complete contrast to the title holders, Imokilly have been unable to prepare collectively as a unit, due to the involvement of so many of the panel with their respective clubs over the last few weeks. Aghada, Fr. O'Neills, Killeagh, Youghal, Russell Rovers, Carrigtwohill and Cobh have all had huge involvement in recent weeks at various championship levels in both codes. However the current panel are in pretty good fettle and certainly won't lack fitness Their form to date this season has been consistent, even if unimpressive, with their vast experience coming to the surface in all threee conquests over inferior opposition such as provided by Bishopstown, Cloyne and Sarsfields. Imokilly will more than likely field along usual lines with the excellent Bernard Rochford in the last line of defence, covered off by Andrew Murphy, a former Cork minor from Youghal, with old reliable Sean Barrett of Carrigtwohill and the bang in form John Flavin of Fr. O'Neill's completing the line. The halfback line should consist of Mark Landers, Mick Daly and Aghada's Ger Melvin, with Derek Barrett and possibly Killeagh's Waterford intercounty player Johnny Brenner partnering him at midfield on this occasion. Jason Barrett, Ronan Dwane and Brendan Coleman of Youghal comprise the half forward line and the full line of attack features Vincent Morrissey of Aghada, Niall McCarthy of Carrigtwohill and the lethal Joe Deane. One glance at the above panel consisting of the first choice 15 illustrates the current talent available to the divisional selectors, plust the in-depth strength amongst the subsitutes. Sunday evening will be the acid test however for the former double champions of 1997-1998, and nothing less than a full blooded and totally concentrated performance for the whole duration of the game will suffice. Imokilly, at least on paper, have a team of all-stars, with a total of 13 of the expected starting lineout having worn the Rebel red jersey in one grade or another down through the years. But they will have to be well tuned-in on Sunday evening if they are to qualify for another county final. |
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