North Club Championship previews
The action continues in the club championships next weekend with the first round of the North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship with five games down for decision, plus one quarter final in the Intermediate Hurling Championship.
Hibernian Inn Senior Hurling Championship 1st Round
FRIDAY
Toomevara v Kiladangan in Cloughjordan @ 6.30pm (E.T)
The tie of the round between two sides that were impressive in the opening round wins in the County Championship last weekend. Kiladangan were mightily impressive and hope to have David Sweeney (hamstring) and Alan Flynn (knee) back from injury but such is the strength of their panel they were hardly missed against Drom & Inch last weekend when they seemed back to their mobile and slick best.
However, Toomevara won’t fear taking them on and after battling past Moycarkey/Borris where Mark McCarthy was on top form, the greyhounds will relish the challenge. Verdict: Kiladangan
SATURDAY
Ballina v Portroe in Nenagh @ 6.15pm (E.T)
This is one of the under-rated local rivalries in the division where three years ago the sides played out a hum-dinger of a game in Nenagh which Ballina just about edged. However, on current form, Ballina would appear up against it but the sight of the men to their North might inspire a big performance from them as they were below par against Mullinahone. On the other hand, Portroe will take a lot from their draw with Roscrea last Sunday where Ruadhan Mulrooney and Aidan Willis led the attack well. Verdict: Portroe
SUNDAY
Borris-Ileigh v Newport in Dolla @ 1.30pm (E.T)
Off the back of a fine win over county champions Clonoulty/Rossmore, Borris-Ileigh will be favoured to build on this when they take on Newport in what is a rare championship meeting between the sides. Both sides will be down a player each through suspension with Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh) and Daragh Carroll (Newport) both red carded in county championship games last weekend. Newport will feel they didn’t show their best against the ‘Mines and if they don’t here, it will set-up a long summer. Verdict: Borris-Ileigh
Nenagh Eire Og v Burgess in Dolla @ 3.00pm (E.T.)
Two weeks ago this appeared a routine Nenagh win but not such much now. Twelve months ago, the sides met in a North quarter final which Nenagh won easily but Burgess turned their season around very well from there to win the O Riain Cup and last Saturday’s draw with Loughmore/Castleiney will give them even more belief that they can get one over on their close neighbours who were equally as impressive against Upperchurch/Drombane. Verdict: Nenagh Eire Og
Kilruane MacDonaghs v Silvermines in Toomevara @ 6.00pm (E.T.)
An already difficult task for Silvermines taking on the holders has been made even more difficult by the fact that Jason Forde will miss the game through suspension following his red card against Newport last Saturday. It’s a massive blow to a side that are heavily reliant on him up front. In this regard, they have nothing to lose against a Kilruane side who will be keen to defend the title for as long as they can and despite likely being without the injured Thomas Cleary, should have enough to progress to the last eight. Verdict: Kilruane MacDonaghs
North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final
Borrisokane v Ballinahinch in Nenagh on Saturday @ 4.15pm (E.T.)
A repeat of last years final which Borrisokane won in impressive fashion, with Kiladangan awaiting the winners in the semi-final. A youthful looking Borrisokane side started the county championship with a draw against Cappawhite, although they’ll feel they left the game behind them. That game however will stand to them against Ballinahinch who were idle last weekend but will be however fired up against the side who denied them a three-in-a-row of North titles twelve months ago. Verdict: Borrisokane