Club Hurling Championship Previews
By Shane Brophy
SENIOR
GROUP 1
Clonoulty/Rossmore v Moycarkey/Borris in Boherlahan on Sunday @ 12.30pm
It will be an emotionally charged atmosphere as Clonoulty/Rossmore lineout for the first time following the death of their captain Dillon Quirke. For the rest of the year, it can one of two ways for them, they can be inspired to play in honour of their fallen comrade, or the season could peter out. Expect it to be the former but Moycarkey will see this as a great opportunity to reach a county quarter final with a second successive win. Verdict: Moycarkey/Borris
Kilruane MacDonaghs v Nenagh Eire Og at The Ragg on Sunday @ 12.30pm.
The Ragg is an unusual venue for this local derby but in the circumstances, no one will mind in just getting back out onto the field. Kilruane will have been hit as hard mentally over the death of Dillon Quirke as Clonoulty were, and it will be interesting to see what level of performance they can bring. Nenagh need a win to have any chance of going straight to the quarter finals having gained just one point from four so far and will be looking for a response following the defeat to Moycarkey. Verdict: Kilruane MacDonaghs
GROUP 2
Borris-Ileigh v Templederry Kenyons in Nenagh on Sunday @ 3.30pm.
Borris-Ileigh have been poor in their two championship games so far and need to show some spark to get their campaign back on track. The extra fortnight will have given Brendan Maher a chance to recover from a hamstring injury.
While Templederry shipped an eleven-point loss to Drom, they didn’t play that badly, scoring 2-19 and they will see Borris-Ileigh as being vulnerable and off the back of a 25-point loss to the same opposition last year, they won’t lack motivation to make up for that. Verdict: Borris-Ileigh
Drom & Inch v Thurles Sarsfields at FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday @ 4.15pm
Thurles Sarsfields were hugely impressive in the first-round win over Borris-Ileigh. Their forward line remains hugely potent but the loss of Ronan Maher with a broken shin, possibly for the rest of the campaign, is another huge blow.
Scoring 2-30 against Templederry in round one is no easy feat, so Drom come into this game with momentum. They shipped five goals in a heavy loss to Sars in the championship last year and this will be a good gauge to see how far they have come. This is a game they can win and come in under no pressure. Verdict: Draw
GROUP 3
Holycross/Ballycahill v Toomevara at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday @ 4.00pm.
Holycross will rue a poor first half against Upperchurch for their heavy defeat, despite a second half recovery. For Toomevara, they have had time overcome the Mullinahone draw. They showed great resolve in added time to take something from a game they had control of for so long. They defeated Holycross last year and should have enough to do it again. Verdict: Toomevara
GROUP 4
Eire Og Annacarty v Kiladangan in Dolla on Saturday @ 7.00pm.
The extra two weeks will have been important for Kiladangan to refocus after losing their way a little in the North final and poor performance in the draw with Loughmore.
They will hope the spark comes and will need to against Annacarty who will make things extremely difficult. The return of Willie Connors and Billy Seymour is a boost, and they may have Sean Hayes available once more. Verdict: Kiladangan
JK Brackens v Loughmore/Castleiney at FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday @ 2.30pm.
Loughmore have had the Indian sign over Brackens in recent years, but the Templemore side might see this as a great opportunity to get one over on their neighbours. Even without John McGrath, Willie Eviston and Ciaran Connolly, Loughmore remain hugely competitive and just evolve to their circumstances. Brackens know this is a great chance to put one foot in the quarter finals. Verdict: Draw
PREMIER INTERMEDIATE
GROUP 1
St Mary’s v Sean Treacys in Bansha on Saturday @ 7.00pm.
St Mary’s were impressive winners over Newport in round 1, even if they were hanging on for the victory. Treacys will fancy their chances and will feel they should have more than a point to their name from the draw with Burgess. Verdict: St Mary’s.
Burgess v Newport in Nenagh on Sunday @ 2.00pm.
If St Mary’s were to win on Saturday evening, Newport will know only a win will keep their championship hopes alive. They have been struggling for form but the manner of their comeback, albeit unsuccessful, against St Mary’s should give them something to build on for a clash against their North rivals who drew with Sean Treacys in round one, themselves having to dig deep to recover from a slow start. Verdict: Newport
GROUP 2
Roscrea v Silvermines in Toomevara on Sunday @ 3.00pm.
The sides met in a hugely exciting North semi-final in early July which went to extra time before Roscrea emerged narrow winners. The storyline from that game should build up this renewal nicely to see who has progressed more. You can claim both have, with Silvermines impressive win over Moyne-Templetuohy in round 1 while Roscrea rebounded from a North final defeat with a comfortable disposal of Kiladangan, but they’ll know and welcome a stiffer test that will come from the ‘Mines. Verdict: Roscrea
GROUP 3
Ballina v Killenaule in Borrisoleigh on Saturday @ 2.00pm.
With Gortnahoe beating Thurles Sarsfields in the second round game played in the group, it is win or bust for Killenaule as they cannot quality with another defeat. Ballina were disappointed yet relieved they got something from the match with Sarsfields but their wastefulness in front of goal will have to be addressed. Killenaule looked like they had the match with Gortnahoe in command before being sunk late on. Verdict: Killenaule
GROUP 4
Cashel King Cormacs v Portroe at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday @ 5.30pm.
Portroe have been hugely gritty in their four games so far, three coming by one-point margins which shows their mental toughness in the most pressurised of moments. However, they’ll be up against a talented Cashel side who themselves had to delve into their reserves of composure to come from behind to beat Clonakenny. A likely battle between Robert Byrne and county teammate Ger Browne will be one to watch. Verdict: Draw
Carrick Swan v Clonakenny in Littleton on Saturday @ 7.00pm.
Carrick Swan had chances to beat Portroe in the opening round but didn’t take them, relying again on the free-taking of Danny O’Hanlon for a lot of their scores. Clonakenny have a potent attack but thirteen points against Cashel was a poor total but if they can get a dry sod, they can do damage. Verdict: Clonakenny
INTERMEDIATE
GROUP 1
Cappawhite v Moneygall in Holycross on Sunday @ 3.30pm.
Ballingarry’s win over Ballybacon two weeks ago means Moneygall can take a big step towards the quarter finals with a win. The extra two weeks will have allowed Joe Fogarty time to readjust after coming back from the US. Cappawhite justified favouritism by claiming a good win over Ballybacon/Grange in round one but this will be a tougher test. Verdict: Moneygall
GROUP 2
Knockavilla Kickhams v Skeheenarinky in Cahir on Saturday @ 7.00pm
Going on recent history, this should be an easy win for Knockavilla Kickhams. Knockavilla must be heartened by their West final success and the win over Ballinahinch. Clubs with a Gaelic football background are strong and fit and players like Dean Finn, Tommy Sweeney, Tomas Vaughan, and Tipperary footballer Conor Sweeney are able to mix it with what comes their way. Verdict: Skeheenarinky
Ballinahinch v Borrisokane in Toomevara on Sunday @ 1.30pm
It’s just over seven weeks since Borrisokane inflicted a 1-23 to 0-12 victory over Ballinahinch in the North quarter final. Since then, Borrisokane’s form dipped, firstly with the North semi-final defeat to Shannon Rovers followed by the unexpected defeat at the hands of Skeheenarinky in round one of the County Championship. They were short four first team players, but all should be available for this must-win clash.
Ballinahinch continue to depend on Ger Grace, Davy Gleeson, and Brendan Ryan for scores and in the first-round defeat they fell to Knockavilla Kickhams, a four-point margin of defeat could have been much bigger but for Brendan Ryan’s last-ditch efforts. Verdict: Borrisokane
GROUP 3
Drom & Inch v Shannon Rovers in Dolla on Friday @ 6.45pm.
Rovers drew with a fancied Kilsheelan-Kilcash side in round one. Granted the South champions and runners-up in last year’s county final were hit by injuries but the feeling among Rover’s supporters is that the game was there for the taking.
In facing Drom & Inch they are up against a club where confidence is good based on their performances in senior and intermediate levels so far. It’s difficult to juggle two teams at the top rung of the ladder. Verdict: Draw
Arravale Rovers v Kilsheelan/Kilcash in Cahir on Sunday @ 2.30pm
Injury problems are very much part Kilsheelan’s problem and the share of points with Shannon Rovers was not part of the plan either but next Sunday they should make amends against Arravale Rovers who are in their second season at this level. Arravale fell to Drom in the opening round. Verdict: Kilsheelan-Kilcash
GROUP 4
Golden-Kilfeacle v Lorrha in Templetuohy on Saturday @ 2.30pm.
Lorrha have averaged 2-23 per game so far as they come up against a Golden-Kilfeacle side who have mixed the good with the not so good. Losing the West final to Knockavilla Kickhams was a disappointment but they atoned with a five-point win over Boherlahan in the opening round of the county championship. Verdict: Lorrha
Boherlahan-Dualla v Carrick Davins in Clonmel Sportsfield on Saturday @ 7.00pm
A win is a must for either team as both sides lost in round one. The question remains as to who can pick up the pieces. Mid champions Boherlahan were expected to get over Golden-Kilfeacle who had lost the west final a week previous while Carrick Davins, who were not expected to beat Lorrha in their opener were not expected to lose that game by a fifteen-point margin. Verdict: Boherlahan-Dualla