Templederry go in search of O Riain final spot

By Liam Hogan

Killenaule v St Mary’s in Golden on Saturday at 2.30pm

This all-South pairing has all the hallmarks of a game that could go down to the wire.

Killenaule have a had a mixed bag in recent weeks. As South champions they represented the division in the Dan Breen Cup preliminary quarter final but were badly beaten by Loughmore/Castleiney.

However, they atoned for their poor display by overcoming Kiladangan in the O Riain Cup quarter final. With a forward line of stature, they could have won by far more than their 1-21 to 0-18 victory suggests as they squandered so many chances. On the other hand, their defence displayed vulnerability under pressure when Kiladangan took them on and with a four-point margin hanging over their head it was too close for comfort had Kiladangan secured a soft goal in the closing minutes.

That they didn’t is much down to the brilliant hurling of Joe O’Dwyer at centre back and Cillian O’Dwyer at corner back with Paddy Codd keeping things cool at full back. Up front Ciaran O’Dwyer, Michael Doyle, Kieran Bergin, and John O’Dwyer can be match winners.

St Mary’s place in the semi-finals is not by chance. Extra time was required as they narrowly defeated a fancied Thurles Sarsfields side in the quarter final with two points to spare.

But the Seamus Kennedy led side has plenty going for them. He lined out at full forward in that quarter final victory ably assisted by his brother Sean – who is no mean free taker – with Ross Peters plus Peter McGarry also providing support.

They reached the knockout stages with two victories over Lorrha and Cashel King Cormacs with defeat at the hands of Portroe was their only disappointment.

But when all is said and done the experienced Killenaule team should win based on their extra firepower up front. Verdict: Killenaule

Templederry Kenyons v Cashel King Cormacs at The Ragg on Sunday at 1.30pm

Templederry Kenyons must enter this game as favourites. It’s a tag that does not suit them but such as their drive to do well in this competition that they don’t know where to stop.

In their forward line of Eanna Murray, Sean Ryan and Adrian Ryan they have real scoring power and that not forgetting Gearoid Ryan, Matthew Hogan, and Padraig O’Leary as their quarter final 3-28 to 2-15 win over Gortnahoe/Glengoole suggests.

Apart from their third-round defeat to Silvermines they have impressed this year with a number of their players missing the odd game due to injuries.

“Both Christy Coughlan and Brian Stapleton were the two main injuries going into the Gortnahoe game and there is no change there,” said Templederry manager Cormac McGrath.

The Ballinahinch clubman added that Templederry has enjoyed a good year so far which included victories over Newport and Clonakenny in the group stage, as well winning the County League Group 3.

“We targeted the league to get as many games as possible,” McGrath added.

“We were missing players in every game this year both league and championship. We won the league on a Sunday and then we beat Roscrea on a Thursday and the following Tuesday we lost to Borris-Ileigh. It was three games in nine days and that was our biggest defeat so far.

“Against the ‘Mines we were missing seven players but overall the boys have played well so now the task is to put another good performance back-to-back with the Gortnahoe victory. We put in a lot of preparation for the win over Gortnahoe. They have done well since winning the Intermediate and fair play to them.”

Turning to next Sunday’s opposition in Cashel King Cormacs, he added: “The elephant in the room is we can’t get away from the fact that they are after getting four excellent transfers into the club.

“They are fine Tipperary hurlers, and they would strengthen any team, even the Dan Breen, if any players like them came into their clubs. Cashel were a fine side last year and were in the knockout stages the last two years. I remember Templederry played them in the 2019 quarter final and won.

“They have a young team and have Ryan O’Dwyer there too. We beat Cashel in the league semi-final this year and we said after the game that if we are to get where we want to, we would have to beat Cashel. That is what I felt last July and its coming to ahead now. They are a fine side, and they have quality.” Verdict: Templederry Kenyons