All roads lead to the picturesque village of Kilworth next Tuesday evening as Ballyhea and Imokilly meet in the SHC for a Quarter Final spot versus Sarsfields.

Ballyhea, last year’s Intermediate Champions have really stepped up to the senior hurling class as they currently lay joint 3^rd on 14 points in the Red FM Senior Hurling League.  They had excellent victories recently over 2014 county champions Sarsfields, Newtownshandrum and others including a facile victory over a strong Bride Rovers side on the score 1-18 to 0-11 in Kilworth as they tested sacred turf and looked very good there last week.

Their first round championship win in Fermoy was really convincing as they outhurled a fancied Blackrock side on the score 1-19 to 0-11.  They were laden with good hurlers.  Mickey Browne did so well in goal, Michael Morrissey and Barry Coleman in the backs, Maurice O Sullivan (capt) in the middle, Eugene O Leary with 1-1 in the forwards, Neil Ronan with 0-5 and the man that set the County on fire, Pa O Callaghan, scored 0-9. Ballyhea showed that day they are back on the senior scene and no doubt their players will make a major contribution to the county team in time.

Meanwhile Imokilly are beavering away this year with good wins over Avondhu and UCC.  As usual with Divisional sides it’s hard to get together for training due to so many club commitments.  However, Manager Fergal Condon and his selectors have worked as best they can with available resources and got in some good sessions leading to a good atmosphere in the camp.

The Imokilly team was announced at the weekend and is basically as finished against UCC.  However, there may be enforced changes again as Paudie O Sullivan, Brian Lawton and Colm Barry are receiving treatment for knocks.  All or any of these men would be a blow to our hopes.  Sheamus Harnedy has recovered and will start.

Castlelyons have strong representation with Tom Carroll, Aidan O Sullivan and Colm Barry selected on the team.  Alan Fenton and Shane Moroney are listed on the subs.  These lads are going well and Alan Fenton finished up with 2-1 against Cloyne in the U21 Championship last week.

Team: - Declan Dalton, Fr O Neills, Tom Carroll, Castlelyons, Colm Barry, Castlelyons, Barry O Túama (Capt), Castlemartyr, Timmy Geary, Carrig na bhFear, Ciarán O Brien, St Ita’s,  Mark O'Keeffe, Fr O Neill’s, Brian Lawton, Castlemartyr, Aidan O Sullivan, Castlelyons, Paudie O Sullivan, Cloyne, Willie Leahy, Aghada, Dillon Cahill, Cloyne, John Looney, Aghada, Seamus Harnedy, St Ita’s, Billy Dunne, Fr O Neill’s

Subs: -  Ciarán Cronin, Lisgoold, Kieran Histon, Cobh, Aaron Stafford, Aghada, Ashley Walsh, Cloyne, Alan Fenton, Castlelyons, Paudie McMahon, Fr O Neills, Niall Motherway, Dungourney, Brian Fleming Cloyne, Keith Dennehy, Cloyne, Joe Mellerick, Fr O Neill’s, Darragh O Brien, St Ita’s, Cian Spriggs, Cobh, Shane Moroney, Castlelyons, Tim Hartnett, Aghada, Darragh Kelleher, Cobh.

Manager: - Fergal Condon, Aghada; Trevor Allen, Na Piarsaigh; Selectors: - Aidan Swayne; Fr O Neill’s; Sean Harnedy, St Ita’s and Kieran McGann; Castlelyons.

On a historical not the sides met twice before in 1985 and 1995 with victory to Imokilly in the former and a famous victory to Ballyhea in the latter being the county semi final when that legendary Neil Ronan at 15 years of age scored a mighty point.

Now an established senior side again Ballyhea must be fairly strong favourites but the men in the stripes will not be found wanting and should all be available and play to our strengths we have an earnest chance in what should be a mighty game.

Presentation by Kukri Sports and McCarthy Insurance Group

Last Friday evening at our final training session Kukri Sports and McCarthy Insurance Group kindly sponsored a full set of gear for the lads. 

Speaking for both sponsors Kukri Sports and McCarthy Insurance Group, Graham O'Sullivan said '' it was a privilege to be associated with the East Cork Division and the Imokilly hurling team with their long history''.  Graham went on ''as a new and upcoming company (Kukri Ireland, having joined a select list of manufacturers licensed to produce official kit for the GAA in December 2013), this is the right time to get behind a young and very talented Imokilly senior hurling team''.

In reply Dick Fitzgerald Chairman of the East Cork Board thanked Kukri Sports and of course the long established McCarthy Insurance Group for backing the hurling team from the famed Barony, Dick thanked Kieran McGann (Castlelyons) selector with the team for organising the sponsorship, he also wished Manager Fergal Condon (Aghada), his Selectors and the Team all the best in their 4th round game against Ballyhea.