Killenaule the team to beat in O Riain Cup
GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling – Seamus O Riain Cup Preview
By Shane Brophy
For the first time in three years the O Riain Cup has a streamlined look to it with all sixteen teams guaranteed three games and while no team that play for the county championship, it won’t weaken the competition one bit.
With just the winner being promoted to the Dan Breen Cup this year and one team being relegated, there is a lot at stake in what is another wide-open competition.
With just the winner being promoted to the Dan Breen Cup this year and one team being relegated, there is a lot at stake in what is another wide-open competition.
GROUP 1
Carrick Swan v Ballingarry in Clonmel Sportsfield on Saturday at 7.00pm
South Tipperary derby’s have always had extra spice to them and the fact that three of the four teams in this group are from that division will add even more to it. Both Carrick Swans and Ballingarry made the knockout stages last year, however, Carrick Swans showed a lot more in their locker and is they stay on the same course will be challenging to win the competition outright. However, these South clashes tend to see form go out the window. Verdict: Carrick Swan
Cashel King Cormacs v Killenaule in Littleton on Sunday at 2.00pm
Killenaule are the favourites to win the O Riain Cup and when you see the strength of their squad you can see why. John, Joe & Killian O’Dwyer, Paudie Feehan and Eoin Barry. Cashel King Cormacs are continuing to develop nicely under manager TJ Connolly and will hope to kick on this year but Killenaule might be a step too far at the moment. Verdict: Killenaule
Carrick Swan v Ballingarry in Clonmel Sportsfield on Saturday at 7.00pm
South Tipperary derby’s have always had extra spice to them and the fact that three of the four teams in this group are from that division will add even more to it. Both Carrick Swans and Ballingarry made the knockout stages last year, however, Carrick Swans showed a lot more in their locker and is they stay on the same course will be challenging to win the competition outright. However, these South clashes tend to see form go out the window. Verdict: Carrick Swan
Cashel King Cormacs v Killenaule in Littleton on Sunday at 2.00pm
Killenaule are the favourites to win the O Riain Cup and when you see the strength of their squad you can see why. John, Joe & Killian O’Dwyer, Paudie Feehan and Eoin Barry. Cashel King Cormacs are continuing to develop nicely under manager TJ Connolly and will hope to kick on this year but Killenaule might be a step too far at the moment. Verdict: Killenaule
GROUP 2
Portroe v Kiladangan in Dolla on Sunday at 4.30pm
A match that was played last year at Senior ‘A’ level and now at senior ‘B’ with Portroe having dropped down a level and Kiladangan’s second team coming up one. The pressure will be on Portroe to get the win with Damien Ryan and Paudie Malone at the helm but the addition of Sam Madden to their attack will give them an extra attacking weapon.
Kiladangan will have nothing to lose at this level under joint-managers Brian Kelly and Michael Quigley. It is likely they will have a youthful look to it in the form of Matthew Cleary, Shane Gleeson, and Paul Seymour. However, they will still have experience in the form of Darragh Egan, Shane Seymour and Tommy Connors and will be extremely competitive. Verdict: Portroe
Lorrha v Thurles Sarsfields in Toomevara on Sunday at 5.00pm
Lorrha were mightily fortunate to get a draw with Thurles Sarsfields second team in the championship last year so another close encounter is expected. With club great John McIntyre back at the helm, Lorrha will be stronger this year considering county men Brian Hogan and Patrick Maher didn’t play in the latter round championship games last year and the team was still very competitive. The addition of 2019 county minor Colm Fogarty is also an added bonus to their attack.
It will be hard to gauge Thurles Sarsfields until their first team plays on Saturday and they see what players are available but it is likely they will have the likes of Willie Tierney, Kevin O’Gorman, Jack Derby, Richie Ruth and one Lar Corbett to call on. Verdict: Lorrha
Portroe v Kiladangan in Dolla on Sunday at 4.30pm
A match that was played last year at Senior ‘A’ level and now at senior ‘B’ with Portroe having dropped down a level and Kiladangan’s second team coming up one. The pressure will be on Portroe to get the win with Damien Ryan and Paudie Malone at the helm but the addition of Sam Madden to their attack will give them an extra attacking weapon.
Kiladangan will have nothing to lose at this level under joint-managers Brian Kelly and Michael Quigley. It is likely they will have a youthful look to it in the form of Matthew Cleary, Shane Gleeson, and Paul Seymour. However, they will still have experience in the form of Darragh Egan, Shane Seymour and Tommy Connors and will be extremely competitive. Verdict: Portroe
Lorrha v Thurles Sarsfields in Toomevara on Sunday at 5.00pm
Lorrha were mightily fortunate to get a draw with Thurles Sarsfields second team in the championship last year so another close encounter is expected. With club great John McIntyre back at the helm, Lorrha will be stronger this year considering county men Brian Hogan and Patrick Maher didn’t play in the latter round championship games last year and the team was still very competitive. The addition of 2019 county minor Colm Fogarty is also an added bonus to their attack.
It will be hard to gauge Thurles Sarsfields until their first team plays on Saturday and they see what players are available but it is likely they will have the likes of Willie Tierney, Kevin O’Gorman, Jack Derby, Richie Ruth and one Lar Corbett to call on. Verdict: Lorrha
GROUP 3
Newport v Clonakenny in Templederry on Saturday at 7.00pm
When Clonakenny won the county intermediate title in 2015 they shocked Newport in the semi-final in Templederry and you can be sure that the Mulcair men won’t have forgotten when they meet again at the same venue on Saturday.
Newport followed Clonakenny up as intermediate champions a year later but since then neither side have really challenged for overall honours. Newport have Tom Moylan in as manager with former Limerick goalkeeper Joe Quaid is as coach and have some good talent within the group. Clonakenny’s pick isn’t as large but manager Ger Byrne will have his side well drilled. Verdict: Newport
Sean Treacy’s v Mullinahone in Cashel on Saturday at 7.00pm
A game to whet the appetite for Sean Treacy’s in their first game back at senior level as intermediate champions and what a baptism it will be against a Mullinahone side who are one of the favourites for the competition.
Kilruane’s Barney Naughnane is in as coach of Treacy’s under manager Tom Ryan of a panel that is limited on numbers but will be hugely motivated for the challenge and in Patrick Carey and Patrick Deegan, they have good scoring forwards.
Mullinahone were defeated by JK Brackens in the semi-final last year but their performance against Toomevara in the Dan Breen Cup playoff shows how good they are on the day with Eoin Kelly still leading the attack for Sean O’Meara’s charges. Verdict: Mullinahone
Newport v Clonakenny in Templederry on Saturday at 7.00pm
When Clonakenny won the county intermediate title in 2015 they shocked Newport in the semi-final in Templederry and you can be sure that the Mulcair men won’t have forgotten when they meet again at the same venue on Saturday.
Newport followed Clonakenny up as intermediate champions a year later but since then neither side have really challenged for overall honours. Newport have Tom Moylan in as manager with former Limerick goalkeeper Joe Quaid is as coach and have some good talent within the group. Clonakenny’s pick isn’t as large but manager Ger Byrne will have his side well drilled. Verdict: Newport
Sean Treacy’s v Mullinahone in Cashel on Saturday at 7.00pm
A game to whet the appetite for Sean Treacy’s in their first game back at senior level as intermediate champions and what a baptism it will be against a Mullinahone side who are one of the favourites for the competition.
Kilruane’s Barney Naughnane is in as coach of Treacy’s under manager Tom Ryan of a panel that is limited on numbers but will be hugely motivated for the challenge and in Patrick Carey and Patrick Deegan, they have good scoring forwards.
Mullinahone were defeated by JK Brackens in the semi-final last year but their performance against Toomevara in the Dan Breen Cup playoff shows how good they are on the day with Eoin Kelly still leading the attack for Sean O’Meara’s charges. Verdict: Mullinahone
GROUP 4
Templederry Kenyons v Silvermines in Kilcolman on Friday at 7.00pm
These two great rivals get the O Riain Cup underway on Friday evening and it promises to be a tasty encounter. Templederry have gone close over the last two years and have fallen at the semi-final stage but still have one of the strongest first fifteens in the competition under new manager/coach Cormac McGrath from Ballinahinch.
Silvermines have stayed local with former stalwart Declan Corcoran at the helm. All eyes will be on Jason Forde as usual, but a number of exciting young players are coming on stream, including Darragh McKelvey will add to their options. Verdict: Templederry Kenyons
St Mary’s v Ballina in Cappawhite on Sunday at 3.00pm
Ballina were one of the unluckiest teams in last years competition having missed out on the knockout stages on score difference. Brendan McKeogh remains at the helm of a team that play a possession-based game, similar to their opponents St Mary’s where they may end up cancelling each other out. The likely battle between Michael Breen and Seamus Kennedy could be decisive in a game which would prove pivotal in both sides chances of progressing to the quarter finals. Verdict: Draw
Templederry Kenyons v Silvermines in Kilcolman on Friday at 7.00pm
These two great rivals get the O Riain Cup underway on Friday evening and it promises to be a tasty encounter. Templederry have gone close over the last two years and have fallen at the semi-final stage but still have one of the strongest first fifteens in the competition under new manager/coach Cormac McGrath from Ballinahinch.
Silvermines have stayed local with former stalwart Declan Corcoran at the helm. All eyes will be on Jason Forde as usual, but a number of exciting young players are coming on stream, including Darragh McKelvey will add to their options. Verdict: Templederry Kenyons
St Mary’s v Ballina in Cappawhite on Sunday at 3.00pm
Ballina were one of the unluckiest teams in last years competition having missed out on the knockout stages on score difference. Brendan McKeogh remains at the helm of a team that play a possession-based game, similar to their opponents St Mary’s where they may end up cancelling each other out. The likely battle between Michael Breen and Seamus Kennedy could be decisive in a game which would prove pivotal in both sides chances of progressing to the quarter finals. Verdict: Draw