( JJ Hurley)
It is make or break this weekend for many teams in both the county and Carrigdhoun hurling championships as the teams come to the end of the league element of the competition.
Sunday in the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship, Ballinhassig and Ballymartle have must win games as they seek to progress to the quarter-final stage of the competition.
In a group, which also features Dungourney and Kilworth, all four teams are on two points as Ballymartle face Dungourney in Ballymaw at 2pm and Ballinhassig travel to Castlelyons to take on Kilworth also at 2pm.
While Ballinhassig showed a marked improvement in their last outing against their neighbours Ballymartle, as they welcomed back their Cork U20 duo of Adam and Darragh O’Sullivan, anything less than a similar performance will see them exit the championship.
An impressive win in their first outing against Kilworth, Ballymartle will need to play for the hour. The last time out against Ballinhassig a lapse in concentration early in the second half left Ballinhassig to push on and win the game.
Carrigaline who take on Castlemartyr will need no reminding of how a lack of application can prove costly as they left a ten-point lead slip in the first championship game against Watergrasshill.
A victory the next day out against Valley Rovers put them back in with a shout, but Eddie Murphy will be reminding his charges there can be no slip ups on Sunday in Lisgoold at 2pm.
Ballygarvan could make it all the way to a county semifinal, if they beat Barryroe and the results go their away in the other games in the Premier Junior A Hurling Competition.
This game has a 7.30pm throw-in at Cloughduv on Friday night.
Locally, it is hold on to your hat time with the conclusion of the Junior A Hurling Championship as Tracton look odds on to reach the semifinal.
Currently, favourites to join them are Ballinhassig, but they must beat Parish rivals Ballygarvan and anything less could see either Kinsale or Belgooly taking their place in the semifinal.
Kinsale and Valley Rovers face off in Minane Bridge on Saturday evening at 6pm, with a winner taking all.
Kinsale will need no reminder that the seasiders exited the competition at the same venue last year.
Carrigaline’s hurlers look to be through, unless Ballygarvan can cause a massive shock and overcome Ballinhassig with a significant score.
No doubt the calculators will be kept busy at the weekend as the results start to come in, but it looks like being an exciting weekend for all hurling fans, as we get down to the business end of the season.
Ross Oil SE Junior A Hurling Championship:
Friday September 6th @ 6.45pm
Ballymartle v Belgooly (Group 2)
in Ballinspittle
Saturday September 7th @ 6pmpm
Kinsale v Valley Rovers (Group 1)
in Minane Bridge
Ballinhassig v Ballygarvan (Group 3)
in Shanbally is also on Saturday but has 5pm throw in
Sunday September 8th @ 3.30pm
Shamrocks v Tracton (Group 1)
in Crosshaven
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