Tipperary Hurling Championship Previews

SENIOR

By Shane Brophy

Group 1 – Sunday

Mullinahone v Nenagh Eire Og in Templetuohy at 2.00pm

A straight shootout for the runners-up spot in the group, although a draw would be enough for Nenagh as they have the better score difference. The greater pressure is on Mullinahone to get the win as Nenagh have the preliminary quarter final to fall back on if they fail to get a positive result, but Eire Og will hope not to use it and it means and extra game and an increased chance of injury and suspension. It should be a close encounter based on both sides performances against group winners Drom, but Nenagh’s greater firepower might shade it. Verdict: Nenagh Eire Og

Drom & Inch v JK Brackens in Templetuohy at 3.45pm

One of the few games across the weekend with nothing at stake as Drom have won the group with a game to spare while Brackens are heading for the relegation playoffs regardless. However, they would like to carry some momentum into that and the likely return of Paddy Cadell could be crucial in their survival challenge in the coming weeks. Drom will be keen to stay on a winning run. Verdict: Drom & Inch

Group 2 – Saturday

Kilruane MacDonaghs v Moycarkey/Borris in Templederry at 6.15pm

A big game for both sides for contrasting reasons. Moycarkey can still make the knockout stages with a win as well a defeat for Roscrea with a six-point swing in the scoring average which is distinctly possible. A defeat for the Mid men and they are in a relegation playoff which would be tough to take considering they have been so competitive. Kilruane’s target is clear, a win and they avoid the relegation playoffs and they end the year on a high. Their mentality will be key to the outcome in a tie they won by 24-points last year. Verdict: Kilruane MacDonaghs

Roscrea v Toomevara in Borrisoleigh at 6.15pm

Toomevara have already booked a place in the knockout stages but need one more point to secure top spot and a guaranteed quarter final as finishing second opens the possibility of being drawn into a preliminary quarter final, if there are any, so Toome have plenty to play for. Roscrea do as well as a draw will be enough to progress to the knockout stages which would be massive for the newly promoted side who will have no fear of their North rivals and come in on a high after the round 2 win over Kilruane. Verdict: Draw

Group 3 – Sunday

Holycross/Ballycahill v Templederry Kenyons in Borrisoleigh at 4.00pm

Templederry still have an outside chance of making the knockout stages, but they would need a healthy win to do that but realistically they are targeting a win to get out of the relegation spot and that still might not be enough depending on the outcome of the other game in the group.

Holycross/Ballycahill will feel they should have already one foot in the knockout stages after the controversial ending to their round 2 loss to Loughmore but if their minds are right, they should get the win to push them into the knockout stages which is the next step for this developing side. Verdict: Holycross/Ballycahill

Loughmore/Castleiney v Upperchurch/Drombane at FBD Semple Stadium at 4.00pm

Despite winning their first two games, Loughmore/Castleiney are still vulnerable to be eliminated on score difference if they are defeated by Upperchurch/Drombane and Holycross get a big win over Templederry. It is a must-win game in all likelihood for Upperchurch who will expect Holycross to win so they have to at least match that but their score difference is weak. However, they have beaten Loughmore already in the Mid semi-final last month and with their backs to the wall, they are dangerous, but the open spaces of Semple Stadium should be to Loughmore’s benefit. Verdict: Loughmore/Castleiney

Group 4 – Sunday

Borris-Ileigh v Thurles Sarsfields at FBD Semple Stadium at 2.15pm

The tie of the round which will have a national audience with TG4 showing this key game in a tantalising group. A win for either side will see them progress to the knockout stages while a draw would be enough for Borris-Ileigh. Sarsfields have the fall-back of a preliminary quarter final so the greater pressure is on Borris to get a result and while they were heavily beaten by their opponents last year, they are a different animal this year but will need the free-scoring version to keep pace with Sars who will be keen to tidy up their shooting which has been erratic so far. Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields

Clonoulty/Rossmore v Kiladangan at The Ragg at 2.15pm

Both sides know a win and they likely progress to the next round, unless Borris v Sars ends in a draw. Clonoulty/Rossmore have a preliminary quarter final to fall back on, however, at the moment they currently lie in the relegation playoff spot which they will have to play in, unless they go onto win the county title. It could well happen, but they will hope Jack Ryan is fit after limping off against Sarsfields. Scoring is their Achilles heel, and they will have to keep pace with a Kiladangan side that can mix the poor with the brilliant as we saw against Borris-Ileigh last time out. The greater pressure is on Kiladangan as a defeat will see them into a possible relegation battle which is not what they would have considered at the start of the year. Verdict: Kiladangan

PREMIER INTERMEDIATE

by Liam Hogan

Group 1 – Saturday

Ballina v Cashel King Cormacs in Borrisoleigh at 4.30pm

Two teams approaching this encounter from opposite ends of the spectrum. Cashel King Cormacs have the luxury of four points from two games following their 1-28 to 2-19 win over St Marys and are almost assured of a place in the last eight but it’s a must-win game for Ballina.

It took a long time, but Ballina proved what they could do when defeating Moyne Templetuohy in the second round, but it needed an inspirational piece of work by team management after they introduced Steven O’Brien midway through the second half.

We don’t know the full worth of either team. Cashel won their first game against Moyne-Templetuohy by three points despite the fact they lost three players to red cards. Moyne were without Gearoid O’Connor. Ballina can get over the line again, but it will be very close, and their points difference might not be enough if St. Marys win against Moyne. Verdict: Ballina

Moyne-Templetuohy v St Mary’s in Fethard at 4.30pm

Moyne-Templetuohy may need a miracle here if they are to overcome a well-drilled St. Mary’s side who know how to win games when needed most. They will need more than the accuracy of Gearoid O’Connor. In addition, there is concern about the fitness of Conor Bowe who had to leave the field against Ballina with a leg injury. He was playing centre back and doing well and his departure coincided with Ballina’s winning surge. Sources say he is expected to line out.

Meanwhile, St. Mary’s may have concern about their defence while yet fielding nine players on the scoreboard despite their 1-28 to 2-19 defeat to Cashel. Rarely destroyed over the years they were beaten semi-finalists over the last two years and their consistency should help them prevail. Verdict: St. Marys.

Group 2 – Saturday

Carrick Swan v Eire Og Annacarty in Cloneen at 3.00pm

With Swans on three points and Eire Og on two, it’s a race for first place with winners definitely assured of a place in the quarter finals. The Swan are difficult to beat but they depend very much on Gavin O’Halloran who was their top scorer and their match winner in their second round victory over Thurles Sarsfields.

Eire Og, meanwhile, rescued their campaign with an impressive 0-22 to 1-11 win over Sean Treacys thanks to their impressive last quarter where they outscored Sean Treacys 0-13 to 0-4. Donal O’Dwyer scored four from midfield while Aidan Griffen is an assured free-taker and their hunger to get back up to senior grade after their relegation defeat last year will get them over the line by a small margin. Verdict: Eire Og Annacarty.

Sean Treacys v Thurles Sarsfields in Nenagh at 3.00pm

Thurles Sarsfield will count themselves unlucky to have been beaten by Carrick Swan in the last game. They are similar to Eire Og Annacarty on two points and should have enough in the tank to gain a second victory and make the last eight. They have the talent with former Tipperary All-Ireland medal winner Michael Cahill lining out at centre back and up front the names of Jack Lanigan, Rory Purcell, and Robbie Stapleton spell trouble.

Sean Treacys can make the last eight, but Paddy Carey’s men need to see Carrick Swan beaten and hope the point difference is good enough to carry them over the line as there is a nine point swing involved. Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields

Group 3 – Saturday

Burgess v Clonakenny in Nenagh at 4.30pm

Two teams fighting for first and second place thus Burgess and Clonakenny will advance to the last eight. Why? One only looks at the points table which shows Burgess with full points after two games followed by Clonakenny on three but there is more involved as explained further on. Burgess should beat Clonakenny because they have the greater firepower. With that in mind Clonakenny can join the North men if they keep the losing margin to a minimum because there is a 23 point swing in points difference (Clonakenny +12) as third placed Newport (-11 on 1 point) will strive to overcome Silvermines in the other group game. Verdict: Burgess.

Newport v Silvermines in Templederry at 4.30pm

A third county championship meeting in four years. Newport won both, firstly a quarter final clash in 2020 (1-29 to 0-9) and the second a group game in 2021 (3-26 to 4-11). The gap will not be as big this time round based on what we have seen so far from both teams. Neither team is playing very well. Silvermines were poor in their defeat to Clonakenny in the second round. Much depends on Jason Forde who had an off-day but when he is on song the ‘Mines have a chance against a Newport side that will miss the talent of Odhran Floyd who was playing so well at wing back. Newport lost their last game to Burgess by a disappointing twelve points, thus the poor point difference. Verdict: Draw

Group 4 - Sunday

Lorrha v Portroe in Cloughjordan at 1.15pm

Lorrha, safely through to the last eight after winning two games following an impressive second round win over Killenaule. With an impressive forward line of Patrick Maher, Cian Hogan plus the Fogarty & McIntyre brothers they should prevail over Portroe, who despite having lost some key players since last year, displayed great spirit in pushing Gortnahoe all the way in their last game. The sides already met in the North quarter final last month which Lorrha won 1-19 to 0-10. Verdict: Lorrha

Gortnahoe/Glengoole v Killenaule in Littleton at 1.15pm

The game of the round. Hot on the heels of group leaders Lorrha these two teams are short priced to reach the semi-finals. Killenaule were impressive in their first round win over Portroe but lost narrowly to Lorrha last day out. With a strongly built team they have Padraig, Killian & Joe O’Dwyer in defence while the Feehan brothers plus Dean O’Connor and Eoin Shaw in attack, they should have enough to get by a Gortnahoe/Glengoole team that depend so much on ace marksman Keane Hayes who continues his impressive returns produced over the last two years. The Gortnahoe defence is very good with Brian Maher, Kevin Slattery and Martin Barnaville forming a good half back combination for last year’s finalists. Verdict: Killenaule

INTERMEDIATE

By Shane Brophy

Group 1 – Saturday

Carrick Davins v Knockavilla Kickhams in Clonmel Sportsfield at 5.00pm

Davins have been one of the surprised packages so far and their greater form might be enough to progress at the expense of a disappointing Kickhams so far. Verdict: Carrick Davins

Arravale Rovers v Drom & Inch in Boherlahan at 5.00pm

The return of Johnny Ryan inspired Arravale Rovers to a win over Kickhams last time out, but Drom are seasoned and could progress from the group without winning a game with two draws so far. Verdict: Draw

Group 2 – Saturday

Ballingarry v Golden Kilfeacle in New Inn at 3.00pm

Golden Kilfeacle’s struggles have been one of the stories of this grade whereas Ballingarry’s form has been better and should get the win to progress. Verdict: Ballingarry

Kiladangan v Cappawhite in Templemore at 3.00pm

Kiladangan need a win to have a realistic chance of progressing and with a seasoned team they can get the result they need against a young Cappawhite side that are emerging as a dark horse over all. Verdict: Cappawhite

Group 3 – Saturday

Boherlahan-Dualla v Shannon Rovers in Templemore at 1.15pm

Shannon Rovers have nothing to play for as they will finish bottom of the table but will want to perform heading into another relegation battle. Boherlahan will target a win to finish top of the group. Verdict: Boherlahan-Dualla

Kilsheelan/Kilcash v Moneygall in Holycross at 1.15pm

A third meeting in as many years between these sides with one win each. The loser here is likely to have to go via the preliminary quarter final as a divisional champion. Verdict: Moneygall

Group 4 –

Skeheenarinky v Upperchurch/Drombane in Cahir on Saturday at 3.00pm

A strange one for James Barry as his new Skeheenarinky side are up against his native Upperchurch/Drombane whom he helped to county junior glory last year before making the switch. Verdict: Skeheenarinky

Ballybacon/Grange v Borrisokane in Holycross on Sunday at 12.30pm

Borrisokane aren’t quite through but their score difference is so strong that if the group goes to a three-way tie, they will still emerge, but it won’t come to that. Verdict: Borrisokane