PREVIEWS: An action packed weekend in store as club hurling commences

FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Friday July 22

Killenaule V Gortnahoe Glengoole in Littleton @ 7.30

A short trip to Litteton will see the clash of two teams looking for a good start to their campaigns. Killenaule surrendered their south title after defeat to Mullinahone a few weeks ago, and they will be hoping they can get past that defeat, along with their no show against Templederry in last year’s O Riain decider.

In fairness, they weren’t far off getting over the line against Mullinahone the last day out, and will be hopeful they can get more out of the likes of Tom Stakelum, Eoin Shaw, and Joe O’Dwyer, with John O’Dwyer the scorer in chief throughout.

Both sides were in the same group last year, and it was a very competitive game for large spells so Gortnahoe will be hopeful they can keep in touch going down the home stretch and go from there.

Verdict: Killenaule

Saturday July 23

Moyne Templetuohy V Silvermines in Borris-Ileigh @ 2.00

Moyne Templetuohy come into this game with a lot to prove after an extremely poor showing against Clonakenny in the mid final two weeks ago.

While they have just been promoted after winning the intermediate last year, they are a team with a lot of quality, and the manner of the defeat - in which the conceded five goals - will be worrying and disappointing in equal measure.

They’re defence looked very open throughout and missing a few regulars, they looked flat and had no answer for Clonakenny’s energy.
They face a tricky task in the form of the Silvermines in the first round, who have been improving game on game, thanks in large part to the ridiculous scoring exploits of Jason Forde who averaged 1-19 in the two games played, and while it is easier said than done, a lot will depend on how Moyne can curtail Forde’s influence.

Moyne will need Conor Bowe, Tom Meade, and Gearoid O’Connor at their peak here, but a Forde led ‘Mines team might have enough to do the job here.

Verdict: Silvermines

Carrick Swans V Portroe in Boherlahan @ 3.00

Rather unusually, Group 4 finds itself in the situation where every team has the luxury of a preliminary quarter final after Carrick Swan and Port, along with Cashel King Cormacs and Clonakenny all clinched divisional silverware.

It will be interesting to see what effect that has on this group, but what is certain here is that the teams will be buoyed after their respective finals.

Portroe look to be purring nicely, with their forward division in particular looking potent with AJ Willis, Ruan Mulrooney, and Sam Madden all impressing against Roscrea in the north final, and add in the likes of Robert Byrne and Michael Breen and you have a very solid base.

The Swan will be delighted to get their hands on the south title again, and did so by beating Dan Breen opposition, so they will be a tough prospect for Port here.

Veteran forward Danny O’Hanlon has been solid for the south champions, while the likes of Aaron Dunne and Gavin O’Halloran had magnificent games in the final two weeks ago, and they will need them to perform again against a team who are always very difficult to beat.

Verdict: Portroe

Newport V St Marys in Bansha @ 7.00

A novel clash as two teams from polar opposite ends of the county face off in Bansha. Newport had a real dose of second season syndrome last year, where it took a good performance in a relegation semi-final to avoid the drop to intermediate, and it felt like they have more to offer at this level and could be dark horses.

However, they were far from impressive against Roscrea in the north championship loss, and their usually potent inside line of Colin Floyd, Pa Ryan, and Daniel Carew were not at the races.

St Marys also had a forgettable divisional outing, losing easily to a far more fluid Carrick Swan team, but this was hardly a surprise to many as they were shorn of at least six starters that day.

Liam Ryan, Richie Gunne, Niall Hoctor, Conor O’Sullivan, Joe Gunne, Sean Kennedy, and Jason Lonergan all missed the game, but the latter three are expected to line out for this one, but it may not be enough on the day.

Verdict: Newport

Sunday July 24

Sean Treacys V Burgess in Newport @ 1.00

There will be a nice bit of familiarity in this game, after Sean Treacys downed Burgess in last year’s relegation semi-final with some comfort.

Burgess had a chastening loss against rivals Portroe in the north championship, and were very competitive despite being missing a big player in the form of Stephen Murray, who they will be hoping to have back this time around.

Treacys are a team improving all the time, and despite their west final loss to Cashel, they will be confident of a result here, but it could be a very tight game if both teams show up on the day.

Verdict: Draw

Thurles Sarsfields V Ballina in Toomevara @ 1.00

As with all second teams at the start of the year, it will be hard to gauge their prospects until after we see what personnel are available to them after the first round.

But, as has been the case the last few years, Thurles are no slouches at this level and will be a tough challenge for anyone with Michael Russell, Cian Stakelum, and John Maher their big names.

Ballina had a very sub standard outing against Portroe in the north championship, and could have won the game but for some lax defending, but should Michael Breen improve and they get the same tune out of Donie Whelan, along with the possible return of Conor Maguire, they should improve.

Verdict: Ballina

Cashel King Cormacs V Clonakenny in The Ragg @ 1.00

Another clash of divisional winners will have the added spice of last year’s encounter in Nenagh in the knockout stages.
Clonakenny were robbed late on that day, and the nature of that late drama will still be fresh for the teams.

On paper, Cashel are probably up there with the contenders, with the Brownes, Ryans, Bonners, and Eoghan Connolly all good players at this level, but they struggled to integrate their new arrivals last year.

Clonakenny seem to be improving themselves, with Cian O’Dwyer leading the line very well, while they have a solid back unit backboned by Willie and Diarmuid Ryan. This is a tough one to call.

Verdict: Cashel KC

Roscrea V Kiladangan in Cloughjordan @ 7.00

Only losing in a penalty shootout against Silvermines prevented Kiladangan’s second team facing Roscrea in the north semi-final, but they will get their chance now in this opening round game.

Fresh from dropping through the Dan Breen trapdoor, Roscrea would have been many people’s favourites for the competition, but their struggles to date might be changing that narrative.

They have yet to click so far, but despite not really getting going against Portroe in the north final, it still took extra time to beat them.

They have really missed the influence of Alan Tynan this year, and his continued absence will be hard felt, so they really need the young players in the likes of Evan Fitzpatrick, Luke Cashin, and Shane Fletcher to start exerting more influence in games.
Kiladangan have been very competitive at this grade, but the loss of players from the first team has had a knock on effect to the strength in depth of previous years.

But they still have quality in the form of Darragh Egan in goal, along with Shane and Ruairi Gleeson, as well as Ciaran Kelly, but they may struggle to get the win here.

Verdict: Roscrea

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