Busy evening beckons in Cork Senior A Hurling Championship

Mark Coleman of Cork and Blarney ©INPHO/James Crombie

All twelve clubs have plenty to play for as the group stage of the Cork SAHC concludes with six matches taking place simultaneously on Saturday evening.

There will be two games in Group One, a couple more in Group Two and the same in Group Three, with all six fixtures throwing in at 5:30 as the knockout line-up in confirmed.

In Group One, ahead of their meeting at Grenagh, Blarney and Watergrasshill already know they are through to the business end, with two wins apiece, but this game will decide who tops the group and advances directly to the last four, with the losers destined for a quarter-final place instead.

Mark Coleman’s last-gasp goal for Blarney – beaten finalist in 2023 and 2024 – proved decisive in their victory over last year’s finalists Castlelyons, who face Ballyhea in Mallow to see who avoids the relegation battle.

In Group Two, Erin’s Own are already guaranteed top spot ahead of their clash with Fermoy at Rathcormac, where Fermoy need a draw to dodge the relegation play-off. Meanwhile, Killeagh v Na Piarsaigh in Midleton is effectively a shootout for the runners-up spot and a place in the quarter-finals.

In Group Three, Ballinhassig know a win or draw against Carrigtwohill at Pairc Ui Rinn will earn them top place, while Inniscarra are also still very much in contention to advance as either group winners or runners-up so long as they defeat Courcey Rangers in Carrigaline.