With Round 2 of the Muskerry Championship commencing on Friday evening i'm going to give my predictions.
Clondrohid vs Ballincollig
Clondrohid play Ballincollig on Friday evening in what is a very important game for both teams. A win for Clondrohid would have them through to the quarter finals, but a win for Ballincollig would set them up nicely too going into their last game against Dripsey which you would fancy them in. Both teams are coming off the back of poor displays in the first round. I watched Clondrohid play Dripsey and i must say i was dissapointed with them, but i have heard that they have a lot of injuries and were down a few starters which would play a part. I then made the trip out to Blarney to see Ballincollig in action against Grenagh and i was very dissapointed with Ballincollig too albeit against a strong Grenagh side. I think this will be a very tight game but i'd just have Clondrohid to edge it by 1 or 2 points.
Eire Og vs Naomh Aban
Another very exciting game on Friday evening between these 2 teams. Both teams are off the back of good wins in round 1 and id expect this one to be tight. I watched Naomh Aban play Kilmichael in the first round and i was very impressed with them, although Kilmichael were miles off it and wasted a lot of chances that on another day could've seen them kick another 6 or 7 points. I didn't see the Eire Og game but from what i heard they were very good, but they were playing a very poor Ballingeary side. It will be interesting to see how Eire Og fair out against stronger oppostion but i'd still have them to win this one by 3 or 4 points.
Grenagh vs Dripsey
Grenagh face Dripsey off the back of a convincing win against Ballincollig in round 1. You would have to fancy Grenagh in this one but if Dripsey play as well as they did against Clondrohid they could cause Grenagh problems. I was very impressed with Dripseys set up and how they completely nulled Clondrohids goal threat. I feel like Grenagh will have their research done and have ways to combat this, and shooting from distance could be the way to go for them. I'd have this game to be tight up until half time but Grenagh to run out eventual winners in the end by 7 or 8.
Ballingeary vs Kilmichael
An important game for both teams here with both teams looking to bounce back from poor showings in round 1. Kilmichael will be very dissapointed with the way they played against Naomh Aban and will be looking for a huge response, which i'm almost certain we will get. Ballingeary could be in serious relegation trouble if they play anywhere like how they did against Eire Og, but im not expecting them to get anything out of this game. Kilmichael by 12.
Donoughmore vs Ballinora
Donoughmore will be looking to bounce back from defeat to Aghinagh in the first round and they should have no trouble in doing so against a very poor Ballinora side. I'm unsure whether or not Donoughmores injuries from the first game will be back for this, but i dont think thats gonna have too much of a bearing in all honesty. Ballinora have no chance at all in this game for me, and if i was them i'd be looking to adopt a damage limitation approach if they want any chance of avoiding relegation. Donoughmore by 15+
Aghinagh vs Kilmurry
Both teams got off to good starts picking up good wins in round 1. Aghinagh would have been delighted to get one over Donoughmore after last years heartbreak albeit against an injury ridden Donoughmore team. Kilmurry on the other hand, had a convincing win over Ballinora. A win for Aghinagh would put them in pole position to qualify automatically to a semi-final. Aghinagh should be winning this well but i dont think it will be as easy as some think. Aghinagh by 8.
