Super Saturday is almost upon us as seven teams scramble for the three remaining places in the quarter finals. The other five will be aiming to finish as high as possible and warm up for next weekend. There could be a couple of high profile casualties by eight o'clock on Saturday evening. October 11 is the date fixed for the county final with quarter finals and semi finals scheduled over the next fortnight. This will leave a two week gap before the decider. All twelve clubs have dropped points so far this season with Passage the only unbeaten side.
12 September
Abbeyside v Ballyduff Upper (5.00 at Lismore) Group 1
The resilient Reds defied the odds once more in round four with an astounding win against De La Salle. It gives them an outside chance of survival if they can add another win and Fourmile do them a favour at Fraher Field. Seanie O'Brien's Abbeyside will surely benefit from getting three weeks of hurling under their belt. While they lived with Ballygunner for the first half, their slicker opponents gobbled them up by twelve points to three over the second period. Management will also be aware of the havoc caused by Peter Hogan and Brian O'Sullivan as both corner backs were substituted. Mikey Kearney and Kevin Casey are livewires for Ballyduff and they can test any defender for pace. Richie Foley will also miss out due to his red card against Ballygunner. On the plus side, the Hurneys and Michael O'Halloran should boost their attacking options after missing out last time around. These two clubs have history going back to the 2007 and 2008 county semi finals when they were among the big hitters. In 2012, they played out a lively 2-19 to 4-13 draw in Cappoquin. Abbeyside can make the necessary adjustments to qualify.
Odds: Abbeyside 2/5 Draw 10/1 Ballyduff Upper 2/1
Prediction: Abbeyside
De La Salle v Fourmilewater (5.00 at Fraher Field) Group 1
De La Salle are running out of road after losses to Abbeyside and Ballyduff Upper and one more could spell disaster for the three time winners. They hit 25 wides a fortnight ago including fifteen in the second half and also blew an eight point lead. Fourmile are back in the race with two wins on the bounce. Jamie Barron will support his half back line as they will seek to keep this as tight as possible. Michael O'Gorman's absence robs them of a physical presence around the half forward line however. With the gun to their heads, De La Salle should eek out a result.
Odds: De La Salle 4/9 Draw 9/1 Fourmilewater 2/1
Prediction: De La Salle
Ballygunner v Tallow (5.00 at Bushy Park) Group 1
With both of these teams safely through to the last eight, top spot is the only issue up for dispute here. Denis Walsh experimented a little against Abbeyside by starting Barry Coughlan at midfield and Eddie Hayden filling the number three berth. He also switched free takers in the second half with Brian O'Sullivan taking over from Stephen Power. Tallow also experienced issues with placed balls against Fourmilewater before towering minor player Ryan Grey banged over six in the final quarter. Terence McSweeney will look for a response following a rather flat performance but the Gunners seem poised to take the spoils.
Prediction: Ballygunner
Mount Sion v Lismore (6.30 at Fraher Field) Group 2
There is only room for one of these teams in the knockout rounds. Lismore have missed out in three tight finishes to date in games with Dungarvan, Cappoquin and Roanmore. Maurice Shanahan claimed fifteen of their eighteen point total against Roanmore and he will need to strike something similar again to haul his team out of trouble. Mount Sion mustered a huge performance to draw with Passage and carry more momentum into this game. Martin F O'Neill hit 1-11 including a brilliant solo goal and appears comfortable with the dead ball responsibilities. Austin Gleeson, Stephen Roche and Owen Whelan should all be available to Ken McGrath here.
Odds: Mount Sion 1/2 Draw 9/1 Lismore 7/4
Prediction: Mount Sion
Dungarvan v Roanmore (6.30 at Walsh Park) Group 2
The winners of this game will probably take second place in the group behind Passage. Dungarvan shot the lights out against Cappoquin but they will have to work much harder to crack open Roanmore. The question marks lie at the other end and Kevin Daly's return from injury towards the tail end of that landslide win was a welcome development. The Sky Blues showed their resolve to reel in a five point deficit against Lismore and reach the quarters. This offers the ideal preparation for what lies ahead in the next stage of the competition.
Prediction: Dungarvan
Passage v Cappoquin (6.30 at Kill) Group 2
Passage will want to amend the draw against Mount Sion and cement number one position in the standings. Peter Queally held Eoin Kelly in reserve until the second half of that game but should feature from the start here. Despite suffering heavy beatings to Mount Sion and Dungarvan, Cappoquin can still advance to business end if they can upset the 2013 champions and Lismore take out Sion. Keith Landers, Andy Molumby and David Cahalane put up some resistance against a rampant Dungarvan. If Mount Sion beat Lismore, the Cornerstone boys will definitely play senior hurling in 2016.
Prediction: Passage
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