Knockout and relegation berths set to be determined

By Shane Brophy

Senior Hurling Championship

GROUP 1

Clonoulty/Rossmore v Kilruane MacDonaghs in Templetuohy on Sunday @ 12.30pm

With Nenagh Éire Óg guaranteed to finish in no worse than second place in the group on head-to-head over Kilruane and score difference over Clonoulty/Rossmore, it’s straightforward for both sides, win and your in. The greatest pressure is on Kilruane as they don’t have the fall back of a preliminary quarter final which Clonoulty do as West champions. The loss of Craig Morgan for the rest of the campaign is a cruel blow, but it could give them a cause which they were missing in the loss to Nenagh. Clonoulty have their cause following the death of their captain Dillon Quirke. There is a close bond between both clubs after what happened in the original fixture four weeks ago, so do Clonoulty want to be in a position to send Kilruane packing from the championship, knowing they have another chance. Verdict: Kilruane MacDonaghs

GROUP 2

Borris-Ileigh v Drom & Inch at FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday @ 2.00pm

Borris-Ileigh have to produce their best performance of the season if they are to stay in the championship beyond Sunday. If Thurles draw or lose to Templederry, a straight win will do for Borris, but a win and Borris-Ileigh will have to make up at least eleven points on Sarsfields and thirteen on Drom on score difference. A thirteen-point win would see them eclipse Drom in the table, that looks a tall order so for Borris it is about winning and seeing where it can take them. Drom have been impressive so far and would take great pleasure in knocking their neighbours out of the championship for the second time in three seasons, and still need at least a draw to secure their place as group winners. Verdict: Drom & Inch

Templederry Kenyons v Thurles Sarsfields in Dolla on Sunday @ 2.00pm

Thurles Sarsfields will be fancied to get the win they need which should see them into the quarter finals, even if the group is decided on score difference. Templederry have an outside chance of making the last eight, but it would require a twelve-point win but Borris-Ileigh losing to Drom to make it happen. Realistically for Templederry it is about avoiding finishing bottom to escape the relegation playoffs and while they’ll have the scoring to trouble Thurles, defensively they have conceded a massive 2-59 in two games so far. Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields

GROUP 3

Holycross/Ballycahill v Mullinahone in Littleton on Saturday @ 3.45pm

Mullinahone need to beat Holycross and make up a thirteen-point score difference deficit to a losing Toomevara effort against Upperchurch if they are to reach the quarter finals for a second year in a row. It looks a tall order, but they did it last year with a storming final round win over Toome. However, they haven’t hit the heights in terms of performances this year. A loss and Mullinahone will go into relegation with Holycross saving their bacon for another year. Holycross’ late collapse against Toome will hurt but they understand the pressure of relegation games. Verdict: Holycross/Ballycahill

Toomevara v Upperchurch/Drombane at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday @ 3.45pm

Upperchurch/Drombane have a quarter final spot secured while Toomevara need just a draw to join them. However, both will be looking for the win as topping the group means avoiding the risk of being drawn into a preliminary quarter final against a divisional winner if it comes to it. Toomevara won’t need reminding about last year when they had one foot in the knockout stages going into the final round, but ended up on the outside looking in. That should focus the minds, but Upperchurch have been impressive so far and will be keen to stay on the winning way. Verdict: Draw

GROUP 4

Eire Og Annacarty v Loughmore/Castleiney in Holycross on Sunday @ 3.45pm

Defending champions Loughmore/Castleiney are under pressure to qualify but this is where you can rely on them to perform. They’ll be favourites to get the win, but Annacarty will sense that if they can get a shock win, not only will they escape relegation, but they will make the quarter finals if JK Brackens fall to Kiladangan. However, you feel Loughmore will have too much nous. Verdict: Loughmore/Castleiney

JK Brackens v Kiladangan at FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday @ 3.45pm

Kiladangan are the only team in this tight group to record a win so far, but they know a defeat here and they’ll likely exit the championship. They have shown sporadic periods of their best so far, including the last fifteen minutes in the win over Annacarty. They are slowly getting the panel back to rude health. However, JK Brackens have proven to be a stubborn opponent in each of the past two years, drawing in 2020 while escaped with a two-point win last year in Nenagh. Brackens have the fall-back of a preliminary quarter final as Mid champions, but they’d love to get a scalp going into the knockout stages. Verdict: Draw

Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

GROUP 1

Burgess v St Mary’s in Boherlahan on Saturday @ 2.00pm

St Mary’s cannot be moved from top spot and are through to the quarter finals which provides Burgess the opportunity to get the win to give them a chance of making the last eight, although they would need Newport to fail to win, and then it would come down to a score difference decider with Sean Treacys. Verdict: Burgess

Newport v Sean Treacys at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday @ 2.00pm

Newport’s late recovery against Burgess means their fate is in their own hands for the quarter finals. However, they were in the same position last year going into the final game when they lost and ended up in relegation trouble. Playing their neighbours Sean Treacys will ensure their minds are focused while the West men can qualify with a win, and Burgess failing to beat St Mary’s. Verdict: Newport

GROUP 2

Kiladangan v Silvermines in Nenagh on Saturday @ 2.00pm

The second meeting of the sides in this championship summer with Silvermines requiring penalties to beat Kiladangan in a North quarter final in June. A win for the ‘Mines should be enough to reach the quarter finals, but they’ll be hoping for a better performance after the loss to Roscrea. Kiladangan can still make the last eight, coupled with a Moyne-Templetuohy loss but their target will be a win which might save them from the relegation playoffs. Verdict: Silvermines

Moyne-Templetuohy v Roscrea in Borrisoleigh on Saturday @ 2.00pm

Roscrea’s score difference is so good that they are as good as through to the quarter finals, even with a loss. However, they’ll be looking to go there with momentum, and it is building. The greater pressure is on Moyne-Templetuohy who have had a month since their win over Kiladangan to get players right from injury and give them a fighting chance of getting the win they need. Verdict: Roscrea

GROUP 3

Ballina v Gortnahoe/Glengoole in Borrisoleigh on Saturday @ 3.45pm

Ballina’s fate in terms of reaching the quarter finals is out of their hands as a win won’t be enough, as they’ll also need Killenaule also to lose, and then hope to pip a winning Thurles Sarsfields on score difference. That Gortnahoe are guaranteed to finish top as group winners, the Mid side might not have an edge to them, and it might open the door for the Lakesiders to get the win. Verdict: Gortnahoe/Glengoole

Killenaule v Thurles Sarsfields in Golden on Saturday @ 3.45pm

Killenaule responded well from the opening round loss to defeat Ballina in round 2 and their fate in reaching the quarter finals is in their own hands. They’ll be favourites to beat Sarsfields who will be a tough nut to crack but Killenaule should have enough quality to get the result they need. Verdict: Killenaule

GROUP 4

Carrick Swan v Cashel King Cormacs in Clonmel Sportsfield on Saturday @ 3.45pm

A dead-rubber as Cashel are guaranteed to finish top and Swan bottom because of head-to-head scenarios. However, the Swan are guaranteed a preliminary quarter final and need to find some momentum. Verdict: Cashel

Clonakenny v Portroe in Nenagh on Saturday @ 3.45pm

A winner takes all clash, but the loser will get a preliminary quarter final after winning their respective divisional championships. Clonakenny have a potent forward line which will cause Portroe problems and that could be decisive. Verdict: Clonakenny

Intermediate Hurling Championship

GROUP 1

Ballingarry v Cappawhite in Golden on Saturday @ 5.30pm

A straight shootout to make the quarter finals but Ballingarry’s form has been better while Cappa suffered a big beating last time out to Moneygall. Verdict: Ballingarry

Ballybacon/Grange v Moneygall in Littleton on Saturday @ 5.30pm

A dead-rubber as Moneygall are group winners and Ballybacon/Grange are heading for the relegation playoffs because of head-to-head scenarios. However, Moneygall will want to build momentum for the knockout stages. Verdict: Moneygall

GROUP 2

Ballinahinch v Skeheenarinky in Holycross on Sunday @ 2.00pm

Ballinahinch gave themselves a great chance of making the knockout stages with a win over Borrisokane last time out. A five-point win over Skeheenarinky will guarantee it but the South men have been impressive so far. Verdict: Skeheenarinky

Borrisokane v Knockavilla Kickhams in Newport on Sunday @ 2.00pm

A six-point win for Borrisokane, coupled with a Ballinahinch defeat will see Borris into the quarter finals, but their form has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks. Kickhams need a win too after the surprise loss to Skeheenarinky. Verdict: Knockavilla Kickhams

GROUP 3

Arravale Rovers v Shannon Rovers in Templederry on Sunday @ 6.00pm

Shannon Rovers need to win, coupled with a Kilsheelan defeat, as well as overcoming a ten-point scoring differential, to make the quarter finals. They can only focus on their own job where avoiding defeat would at least mean avoiding the relegation playoffs at the expense of Arravale. Verdict: Shannon Rovers

Drom & Inch v Kilsheelan/Kilcash in Cashel on Sunday @ 6.00pm

Drom & Inch have secured passage to the quarter finals but require another point to secure top seeding for the last eight. Kilsheelan need at least a draw, but they haven’t hit the form of last year so far. Verdict: Drom & Inch

GROUP 4

Boherlahan-Dualla v Lorrha in Dolla on Sunday @ 12.00pm

Mathematically Lorrha aren’t quite qualified, but they are all but with such a strong score difference and will be expected to maintain their winning run against a young Boherlahan side that could be relying on a preliminary quarter final as Mid champions to advance. Verdict: Lorrha

Carrick Davins v Golden-Kilfeacle in Monroe on Sunday @ 12.00pm

A win for Golden will see them through to the quarter finals but Davins will feel they have a great chance of making it as a three-point win, coupled with a heavy Boherlahan defeat might well see the South men scrape through and avoid the relegation playoffs. Verdict: Golden-Kilfeacle