First of all, congratulations to Cill na Martra on winning the Muskerry U21 A Football Championship for the first time in the life of the club after a gritty win over Kilmurry after extra-time in the final replay at Macroom last Saturday night on a score line of 3-16 to 2-15. Daniel Ó Duinnin scored 3-4, while Micheál Ó Deasúna kicked nine points for Cill na Martra, which went a long way in sealing a historic victory.

Looking ahead to this weekend, there are four Round 1 games in the Muskerry JAFC taking place. Defending champions Kilmurry start their defence of the title tonight against Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh. Kilmurry will start as firm favourites in this one and will look to the likes of three Barrett brothers (William, Eoin and Kevin) and Liam Wall in defence, with Greg Barrett, Joe Ryan and William Buckley also big players.

It will be difficult to predict the Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh team, especially when they used a number of subs in the PIFC Round 1 win over Bandon, but they should have Gareth Cremin and Daire O’ Callaghan available. Kilmurry get the nod to advance.

At the same time tonight in Macroom, Iveleary meet Canovee. Last year’s defeated finalists Iveleary have no shortage of scoring power with Cathal Vaughan, Chris Óg Jones and Brian Cronin in their ranks. Canovee certainly won’t fear Iveleary and it should be closer than last year, when Iveleary won comfortably in the semi-final. Conor Hughes, James Moynihan and Paul O’ Sullivan are all key men. Iveleary should shade this one.

Then on Sunday, a double header in Kilmurry, first up Kilmichael meet Ballincollig. For Kilmichael, Cathal Foley and Conor Cotter will be vital at midfield, with Cork Senior Peter Kelleher leading the attack. Once again, very tough to predict Ballincollig’s team, but it should be strong given the pool of players available. A hesitant vote for Kilmichael.

Finally,Inniscarra lock horns with Aghinagh. Inniscarra motoring along nicely in the league will be looking to the likes of Sean O’ Donoughue, Conor Buckley and Tomas O’ Connor, while for Aghinagh, Declan Ambrose will be the go to man up front. It will be close, with the tendency to go for Inniscarra.

By Barry O’Mahony