Now we’re hurling.
The evenings are getting shorter, the weather is getting windier and the days are getting wetter. Which can only mean one thing, that club championships in Cork, Antrim and everywhere in between are reaching their decisive stages.
The preparation has been done.
They’ve been running laps of waterlogged pitches since this time last year, they’ve played challenge matches and league games week on week during the summer sun. It’s never really sunny anymore but the county lads have come back in and now it’s time to sort these club championships out.
And it’s do-or-die out there now.
Here’s SportsJOE’s Saturday hurling round-up from Cork, Galway and further afield.
Galway (See group tables here)
Saturday was a decisive day in the Galway SHC. The second last round of group games took place out in the west.
Group 1
Castlegar defeated Craughwell in the only game in group one of the senior A hurling. They’re now on the verge of advancing.
Two crucial games will take place on Sunday. A top of the table clash between St Thomas’ and last year’s champions Liam Mellows while Tommy Larkins take on Kilnadeema-Leitrim.
Castlegar 2-10 Craughwell 0-14
Group 2
Portumna are as good as out after a six point defeat to Cappy in Duggan Park. Gort are flying high and so are Sarsfields.
Portumna 0-11 Cappataggle 0-17
Mullagh 1-16 Gort 1-19
Sarsfields 1-17 Loughrea 2-12
Meanwhile, Damien Comer was in action for his club Annaghdown in the intermediate championship on Friday evening. His side were well beaten by Conor Whelan’s Kinvara, but Comer looks fairly threatening in that number 15 jersey.
He looks like more of a 14 to us.
Small ball⚾️ pic.twitter.com/QUUFHtXxxn
— Damien Comer (@DamoComer) September 15, 2018
Cork SHC
Midleton and Blackrock have progressed to the semis after victories over Newtownshandrum and St Finbarr’s.
Stephen Murphy and Kevin O’Keeffe were brilliant for Blackrock while Luke O’Farrell and Conor Lehane did the damage for Midleton. Highlights of these games can be viewed on Buff Egan’s Snapchat Hurling banter page.
Cormac Beausang wins it at the death for Midleton, after a scorching Luke O'Farrell run. Great finale: 1-19 to 2-15.
— Éamonn Murphy (@EamonnMurphy19) September 15, 2018
Blackrock 1-19 St Finbarr’s 1-11
Midleton 1-19 Newtownshandrum 2-15.
Antrim
Meanwhile in Antrim, Neil McManus was selling defenders and goalkeepers faints and dummies right from the top drawer.
A nice piece of skill by @Neilmcmanus88 to set up a @RuairiOgCdall goal in today’s @Bathshack SHC game against @Paddies1906
A great venue and a well organised set of volunteers made for smooth running of this final @Bathshack group game . pic.twitter.com/vQrg68JEkX
— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) September 15, 2018
On Sunday, the North Tipperary hurling final between Kilruane McDonagh’s and Kiladangan will take place in Nenagh while Thurles Sarsfields take on Upperchurch in Holycross in their play-off game.
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