Cork Business League Weekend Preview 1st – 3rd October 2021
? Finbarr Buckley
FOLLOWING on from last weekend’s FAI Junior Cup ties, the McCarthy Insurance Group Munster Junior Cup takes centre stage with ten ties taking places, including a record number of eleven CBL teams in action. In a number of fascinating contests, the pick of Saturday’s encounters is the meeting of the two BL sides, OBS and Cork Hospitals at Ballea Pk. at 3pm. OBS picked up their first win in the premier against Jason O’Neill Electrical last weekend while the Hospitals have shown mixed form in division one in recent weeks and are in need of a morale boosting win to kick-start their season. Shane Creech, Niall O’Brien and Kevin Sadik are in fine form for Scaffolding with Tadhg Whelan and Rory McCarthy capable of being among the goals for John Browne’s visitors.
Also, on Saturday Jay Bazz make their debut in the competition away to Everton at Everton Pk. and will be looking to avenge Martin Harvey Solicitors’s defeat to the host’s first team in the FAI Junior. MHS are also in cup action themselves when they travel to Castletreasure to take on a strong College Corinthians from the MJL. At the same venue as the OBS/ Cork Hospitals tie, Ballea Pk., Satellite Taxis will attempt to emulate Doolan’s Cow by taking the scalp of Carrigaline Utd. A. Taxis go into the tie in excellent form following their nine match winning start to the season. Already through to the shield semi-final and having scored thirteen goals in their four league outings, Satellite have all it takes to progress further in the competition.
On Sunday morning, Doolan’s Cow can keep their hopes of a long run in both junior competitions alive by knocking out Wilton Utd. at Lee Road. Harp Celtic can run Corinthians Academicals close at Casrtletreasure while, also in the morning The Weigh Inn take on Casement Celtic at the Regional Pk., the two Uniteds, UCC and Youghal face off at the Farm and in-form Brew Boys go head to head with Mitchelstown’s Park Utd. at Castlelyons. The only afternoon fixture features District 11 and Bandon at the G.A.C.A. Grds. District will be looking for an improved performance having gone down heavily to AUL Premier king-pins Coachford in the FAI.
The only premier division tie next weekend is scheduled for Sunday morning at Crookstown between two teams struggling at the wrong end of the table. Tim Irwin’s Crookstown have only won once in five outings and are currently lying one place above their opponent’s Jason O’Neill Electrical who are second from bottom. A win for either side would result in a rise to sixth in the table. In the first division, Arainn McGrath’s third place Daz Barbers should see off Derrow Rovs. at Mayfield Community School under lights on Friday before leaders Lion’s Den attempt to make it seven out of seven with a win over Suro Cars at Mayfield Pk. on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, Co. Council, after an indifferent start, lock horns with Trend Micro at the Regional Pk. Both teams are in mid table and need a win to close the gap on leading pack of Lion’s Den, Brew Boys and Daz Barbers. Bottom of the table VIP Barbers entertain Longboats at Crosshaven looking to pick up their first point in what has been a tough campaign for one of the league’s debutants.
