SUNDAY Cork PSHC semi-finals Imokilly v Blackrock, Páirc Uí Chaoimh (C Lyons), 1.30pm It cannot be overstated the importance of one-third of the Imokilly team - John Cronin, Diarmuid Healy, Daire O’Leary, Adam Murphy, and Sean Desmond - not having to play with their clubs in the 24 hours before tomorrow’s semi-final, as was initially the case. For all their talent, the harsh reality is that Imokilly haven’t taken down an outfit of note since the last of their three-in-a-row in 2019.
On the Blackrock side, three goals in each of their four outings to date. Where they hurt greatest couldn’t be more obvious. Alan Connolly and Fionn Coleman are really in the groove, Tadhg Deasy shook the net in his first appearance of the campaign two weeks ago, and if Robbie Cotter can get back to the level he was at against the Barrs on the opening night, the Rockies can deliver the outcome few are predicting.
Verdict: Imokilly Sarsfields v Midleton, Páirc Uí Chaoimh (C O’Regan), 3.15pm Sars’ 2023 sensation Cathal McCarthy is expected to see his first minutes of the 2024 campaign. Robbed of game-time because of injury, it is questionable if he can exert the game-changing influence he had against the Magpies in last year’s county final.
Similarly, do management promote Aaron Myers back to the starting 15, another key figure in the 2023 final win. Midleton have had a far more challenging path to the last four. Kanturk, Erin’s Own, and Newtownshandrum have all asked differe.
