RedFM Hurling: More than half have something on the line ahead of final round of fixtures

Last week, we examined the level of competitiveness in the McCarthy Insurance Group Football League by looking at how many clubs had something to play for in the final round of fixtures.

Across the seven divisions – each with ten teams, so 70 in all – there were 29 who were either battling for a place in their respective league final (and promotion, in the case of all but Division 1) or else seeking to avoid relegation to the tier below.

Today, we will undertake a similar assessment with regard to the hurling leagues, the regular sections of which conclude on Sunday.

Division 1 was a tightly-packed race all along – there was more than one instance of a team jumping from eighth in the table to first on the back of a single victory – and while Sarsfields, the winners in each of the last two years, are guaranteed a place in the final, there are four candidates to join them (Douglas, St Finbarr’s, Charleville or Glen Rovers). At the bottom, Carrigaline and Kanturk are confirmed as relegated prior to the final fixtures.

Sarsfields' Daniel Hogan is tackled by Kanturk's Brian O'Sullivan - Sars are in the Division 1 final with a game to spare while Kanturk cannot avoid relegation. Picture: David Keane

There were three clubs vying for promotion in Division 2 after eight out of nine games – the East Cork trio of Erin’s Own, Midleton and Killeagh. Though Fermoy’s relegation was decided, the other spot was between Éire Óg, Na Piarsaigh, Valley Rovers and Ballymartle, meaning seven of the ten sides had something riding on their last match.

Division 3 is unusual in that Blackrock and Mallow began this week on two points each at the bottom, four behind Castlelyons. However, they were playing each other on Tuesday and, while a draw would have relegated both, the winners retained hope in that they moved to two behind Castlelyons and would have head-to-head advantage in the event of a tie. At the top, Newcestown and the Rovers Courcey and Bride all have a shout of promotion.

Inniscarra, Kilworth and Watergrasshill are in a three-way battle to join runaway Division 4 winners Bandon in the final, and there is a keen fight at the bottom, too.

Midleton's Ciarmhac Smyth battles against Eire Óg's Jerome Kelleher - the Magpies are in the Division 2 promotion battle whereas the Ovens side are trying to avoid the drop - seven of the ten teams have something to play for. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Though Youghal’s two points mean they are down, Cloughduv, Bishopstown and Tracton are all on six points and wins for them could drag St Catherine’s and Kildorrery into the scrap – it means eight of the ten teams have their fates up in the air.

Aghabullogue, Ballyhea, Castlemartyr and Dungourney all have a chance of promotion from Division 5, but Erin’s Own and Mayfield will be playing their hurling in Division 6 in 2026 as they cannot reach safety.

Glen Rovers and Cloyne are neck-and-neck at the top of Division 6 but all that is to be decided is first and second placings as they are four points ahead of Ballinascarthy and Aghada. While Na Piarsaigh can’t attain safety, second-from-bottom Kinsale have five points and so a win for them against the Glen could bring Ballygiblin, Sarsfields or Barryroe in relegation danger.

Similarly, Killavullen and Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas have had their promotion tickets punched in Division 7 but, while Kilshannig are down, Douglas’s second team could yet save themselves at the expense of Meelin or Nemo Rangers.

Those three having something on the line brings the total for the seven sections to 36 of 70 or 51 percent.

Given that many league divisions can house teams from three championship grades, having such a level of competitiveness is an endorsement of the strength of the competition.a

Click here to read article