Race for Dan Breen is wide open

By Shane Brophy

The County Senior Hurling Championship over the last three years has served up some drama and the 2022 competition has the potential to be even better as it gets underway next weekend.

In the last five years, five different teams have won the Dan Breen Cup (2017 – Thurles Sarsfields, 2018 – Clonoulty/Rossmore, 2019 – Borris-Ileigh, 2020 – Kiladangan, 2021 – Loughmore/Castleiney) and you wouldn’t rule out a different winner in what looks to be one of the most open championships in recent memory.

All four groups are tremendously competitive, and off the back of divisional championships won by Clonoulty, Nenagh and JK Brackens, thirteen clubs know their only route to the knockout stages is by finishing in the top two spots in the group, and even predicting who they will be is extremely difficult.

GROUP 1

Kilruane MacDonaghs v Moycarkey/Borris in Templederry on Saturday @ 6.30pm

In a group with impressive divisional champions, this is a huge game for both Kilruane and Moycarkey as for the winner it will be a real kickstart to their championship ambitions.

Kilruane came into the North Championship with high hopes but their performance for much of the loss to Kiladangan was disappointing. Heart and courage weren’t lacking but some of their link-up play needs to be better. They were slow starters in last years championship before clicking into gear. They have a first fifteen to match most teams but need more depth to call on off the bench.

Moycarkey/Borris have made steady progress since coming up to Dan Breen level in 2019. They have been very competitive each year without getting the rub of the green in terms of results. You’d have to feel this is a year they need to make something happen with plenty of talent in the Shelly brothers, Max Hackett, and the evergreen Kieran Morris. Verdict: Draw

Clonoulty/Rossmore v Nenagh Eire Og in FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday @ 1.00pm

With divisional titles safely secured, and with a preliminary quarter final berth, both Clonoulty and Nenagh will be targeting a top two spot in the group and not needing an extra game in their quest for county honours.

For Nenagh in particular, having a knockout berth is welcome as with the news the Barry Heffernan’s season is over following the knee injury sustained in the North final, they’ll need the group games to mould a new half-back line, without their captain and centre back. However, it won’t mean they won’t targeting wins and the manner of their come from behind win over Kiladangan will have given them huge belief.

However, with the injuries to Heffernan, and Daire Quinn, and the suspension for Conor McCarthy, they will be depleted defensively for a Clonoulty/Rossmore side, that are building a new team under manager Declan Ryan. With Timmy Hammersley no longer available, it might be to their benefit as more players will have to step up and Jack Ryan, Tommy Ryan and Stephen Ferncombe have the ability to do that. Verdict: Clonoulty/Rossmore

GROUP 2

Templederry Kenyons v Drom & Inch in Borrisoleigh on Friday @ 7.30pm.

In such an ultra-competitive group, this is a must-win game for both sides.

Templederry are better than what they showed in their North semi-final defeat to Nenagh. They now have the full focus of manager Cormac McGrath now that the Tipp minor campaign is over and the last three weeks should see them improve. Remember last year they lost by 25 points in a North quarter final and still won the O Riain Cup pulling up.

Drom & Inch will be expected to win, as they were in the Mid final, but were reeled in late by JK Brackens. They know they have to win and that brings its own pressure. They do seem to have found new life this year and are developing a strong panel. David Collins came through an intermediate game last Sunday and will only add to their options. Verdict: Drom & Inch

Borris-Ileigh v Thurles Sarsfields in FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday @ 7.00pm.

A blockbuster of a first-round game where the loser will be on the back foot straight away. Both sides have been stewing in recent weeks following their divisional first round exits, and you’d expect both to bring their very best.

Borris-Ileigh started well against Toomevara but lost their way after that. They are trying to mould a new style under Shane O’Neill but marrying it with what worked under the previous regime is what is needed at the moment. They have a very strong first fifteen but need to open up their forwards a little more, they win enough ball, but more support play is needed.

This was always going to be strange campaign for Thurles Sarsfields as they play their first campaign since 2005 without Padraic Maher. He is part of their management team which is a help of sorts as they so looking for that extra aspect which saw them fall short in last years county final. Verdict: Draw

GROUP 3

Upperchurch/Drombane v Holycross/Ballycahill in Clonoulty on Saturday @ 4.00pm.

An all-Mid affair in a very open group, both sides will be targeting the win to put them in a strong position to reach the knockout stages.

Upperchurch would have targeted a Mid title after beating Thurles Sarsfields but the loss to Brackens subsequently will have hurt. However, they have had time to get over that and they have been very consistent in recent years and will target going a step further than last year’s quarter final.

Holycross were very competitive last year but struggled to win tight games and if this goes to the wire, and Bryan O’Mara isn’t back from his travels, they might just fall short again. Verdict: Upperchurch/Drombane

Mullinahone v Toomevara in FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday @ 5.30pm.

Toomevara won’t lack for motivation for this one as Mullinahone sent them packing from last years championship. Much of that was Toomevara’s own fault as they weren’t tuned in for that game and were well beaten by a Mullinahone side that should have beaten Borris-Ileigh in the quarter finals. Mullinahone lost the South final recently but are a developing team, bringing through a number of last years Under 21 final team.

Toomevara will have been happy enough with their performances in the North Championship, including the semi-final defeat to Kiladangan, but they will hope Mark McCarthy and Willie Coffey will be available once again from injury. Verdict: Toomevara

GROUP 4

Kiladangan v Loughmore/Castleiney in FBD Semple Stadium on Friday @ 7.30pm.

A clash of the last two winners of the County Senior Hurling Championship is the perfect way to start this year’s championship, however, both come in with questions to answer.

Loughmore/Castleiney are always battle hardened but to be without Ed Connolly and particularly John McGrath from last years team is a massive blow. McGrath is their forward talisman and replacing his quality won’t be easy but if there is one club that won’t make an issue of it is Loughmore.

The manner of the second half performance in the North Final will be a concern for Kiladangan as it has become a trend. They aren’t without key players themselves although Willie Connors is getting close to a return while Billy Seymour and Darragh Flannery maybe back in later rounds. A major concern is a hamstring injury over Sean Hayes who limped late in the North Final and if he is missing, would be a big loss. Verdict: Draw

Eire Og Annacarty v JK Brackens in Clonoulty on Saturday @ 2.30pm.

After winning a first ever Mid Championship, JK Brackens come into this game with great momentum, but also are at their most vulnerable and Eire Og Annacarty will know this and no better team capable of coming away with a result.

With a knockout berth in the championship safely secured, JK Brackens can’t take their foot off the gas. If they want to contend later in the championship, taking care of business in these kinds of games is a must.

Eire Og Annacarty fell narrowly to Clonoulty/Rossmore in the West final. They remain a tough nut to crack and usually are at their best early in campaigns and will have targeted this game for a win before going for Loughmore and Kiladangan for a second win to get them into the quarter finals. Verdict: Draw