Manager: Brendan Driscoll
Captain: TBC
Colours: Black and amber hooped jersey, black shorts, black and amber socks
First-round opponents: Cloyne
2012 Championship: Lost to Ballyhea in fourth round
2012 League: Seventh in Division 2
Star Man: Ross Cashman
One to Watch: Chris Hickey
Players In: -
Players Out: Paddy Ryan, David McSweeney
It could be argued that Kilbrittain over-achieved by reaching the semi-finals in 2011 following their promotion the previous year, but having done that, losing in round four will have disappointed them last year. They are a largely young side, albeit not without experience and with a good underage
track record, but the challenge that Cloyne present will
something new for many of them. If Maurice Sexton and Jamie Wall can link well
in attack then they will have a good chance, but avoiding the concession
of goals will be vitally important.
CLOYNE
Manager: Diarmuid Falvey
Captain: TBC
Colours: Red and black hooped jersey, black shorts, red and black hooped socks
First-round opponents: Kilbrittain
2012 Championship: Lost to Bride Rovers in SHC relegation play-off
2012 League: Fourteenth in SHL
Star Man: Diarmuid O'Sullivan
One to Watch: Dillon Cahill
Players In: Killian Cronin, Donal Óg Cusack
Players Out: Paudie O'Sullivan
The side relegated from senior level always come in for more scrutiny than many of their rivals, and when Paudie O'Sullivan broke his leg Cloyne must have felt that their luck was really out.Their response has been more than impressive, however, most notably including a 9-11 to 1-14 league win over Carrigaline, with Diarmuid O'Sullivan a serious threat at full-forward. O'Sullivan aside, their attack is littered with fine players, such as Conor Cusack, Domhnall O'Sullivan and Dillon Cahill. Being able to include Donal Óg Cusack and Killian Cronin, who missed last year through injury, helps to bolster the defence, and if they get over Kilbrittain they will be a team others will want to avoid.
YOUGHAL
Manager: Christy Cooney
Captain: TBC
Colours: Maroon jersey with gold trim, white shorts, maroon socks
First-round opponents: Valley Rovers
2012 Championship: Lost to Bandon in semi-final
2012 League: Seventh in Division 1
Star Man: Brendan Ring
One to Watch: Dale O'Donoghue
Players In: Bill Cooper, Leigh Desmond
Players Out: -
Going on form in recent years, losing the 2011 final to Courcey Rovers and then reaching the last four last year, Youghal have to be considered as being among the favourites, even if the manner of the defeat to Bandon in 2012 will have disappointed them. When they are on form, there are few other intermediate sides who can live with Youghal, such is the strength of their attack, with the Brendans, Ring and Coleman, Brett Moloney and the returning Bill Cooper and Leigh Desmond all excellent
hurlers. Former GAA President Christy Cooney has taken the reins of his hometown club, and once football commitments don't interfere, they will surely be in the mix in
September/October.
VALLEY ROVERS
Manager: John O'Donovan
Captain: Chris O'Donovan
Colours: Green and white hooped jersey, white shorts, green socks
First-round opponents: Youghal
2012 Championship: Lost to Inniscarra in quarter-final
2012 League: Third in Division 2
Star Man: Eamonn Collins
One to Watch: John Cottrell
Players In: David Lynch, Kevin Canty, Fiachra Lynch
Players Out: -
An opening round meeting with Youghal represents a chance for Valleys to exorcise the demons of the
disappointing quarter-final loss of 2011, and the Innishannon side go in bolstered by the return of players who had been absent.League performances have been up and down, but there is no doubt that they have the capabilities to have
a sustained run, especially as they were so close to reaching last year's semi-finals, only losing to a late Inniscarra goal. Seánie O'Brien is on board as coach and he has a good track record, so Valleys will hope that some of his magic can rub off.
CASTLELYONS
Manager: Con Lawlor
Captain: Ciarán McGann
Colours: Green jersey with gold hoop, white shorts, green and gold socks
First-round opponents: Ballincollig
2012 Championship: Lost to Bandon in fourth round
2012 League: Fifth in Division 2
Star Man: Ciarán McGann
One to Watch: Anthony Spillane
Players In: -
Players Out: -
Following their relegation from senior in 2009, Castlelyons had to endure a period of consolidation at this level, but the level of emerging talent has left them with reason for optimism looking ahead again.Colm Barry, Colm Spillane,
Michael Spillane, Ronan Fenton and Anthony Spillane are just some of the names to excite supporters of the Imokilly club, and they will look forward to their clash with Ballincollig as a chance to lay down a marker.Experience is provided by Timmy McCarthy and Ciarán McGann while Leo Sexton is a strong presence at midfield.
BALLINCOLLIG
Manager: Donal Hannigan
Captain: Colin Harris
Colours: Green jersey with white trim, white shorts, green socks
First-round opponents: Castlelyons
2012 Championship: Lost to Carrigaline in fourth round
2012 League: Sixth in Division 1
Star Man: Ciarán O'Sullivan
One to Watch: Cian Dorgan
Players In: Fergal Moloney
Players Out: Kealan Hickey, Brian Cotter
After reaching the quarter-finals in 2008 and the semi-finals the following year, instead of continuing the progression and reaching a final Ballincollig have had three
consecutive campaigns end in the fourth round.A large turnover of players, coupled with senior football interest taking priority, have been factors, but it says a lot about the strength of the club that relegation has never been anything approaching a possibility.Though missing a couple this year, emigration has not been a massive factor for them this time around and though league performances have been inconsistent, with a full squad available they can make like difficult for opposition.