Senior Hurling Championship preview

[swiftpost]

Aidan Bracken Building Design Senior Hurling Championship

Group 1
St Ryanagh`s V Shamrocks
Moystown Saturday 26/04 17.30 Ref: M Walsh

In this corresponding fixture last year the Banagher side struggled against their north Offaly opponents. Granted they had Gary Kelly sent off for part of that game. Ryanagh`s management team have changed with Aidan Fogarty now in charge. The surprise loss in the u21 semi-final might be a blessing in disguise for a team brimming with talent.That under 21 team featured for senior offaly panelists: Stephan Wynne, Ciaran Flannery, Conor Hernon and Diarmuid Horan along with numerous more probable under21 county panelists. Cathal Horan and Longford inter-county hurler Declan Tanner are among the more experienced hurlers in this team and will be hoping that poor league form will count for nothing on Saturday evening.
Shamrocks were within touching distance of Coolderry in last years q/f before Derek Molloy and Neville Coughlan went off injured. (perhaps with the football final in mind) Shamrocks are a under rated team. With Hurlers like Brian Kearney, Trevor Darcy, Stephan Delaney and Colin Dunne they are capable of causing a shock. In the last two seasons they have been unlucky in their first round games, Banagher last year and Kinnitty the year before. With that in mind I feel that Shamrocks will be provide tough opposition but Banagher should come through by a couple of points.

Coolderry V Kilcormac/Killoughey
Rath Sunday 27/04 15.30 Ref: M Kirwan

Last years beaten semi-finalists V last years beaten finalists. These 2 clubs are the main contenders to challenge Birr for the Sean Robbins cup. This contest has been eagerly anticipated since the championship draw was made. Both sides are littered with county hurlers. One might question how all in the Coolderry camp is, Barry Teehan, Shane O'Connor and Damian Murray dropping themselves off a county team captained by clubmate Kevin Brady. Leaving that aside they have county/potential county stars in every line. The Corcoran's will shore up the back line, the positioning of Joe Brady will have a big impact on the game and in their inside line Brian Carroll and Damian Murray are lethal in club championship. Add to this talented players coming through such as Mark Bergin and Barry Larkin and you have a serious outfit. Coolderry may see themselves as the main contenders to Birr and Sunday will be a good indicator of how serious they are.
K/K, last year they bet this opposition and managed to lose to Tullamore as well. That day John Leahy dropped 2 players for disciplinary measures, they lost but it set a precedent and the 2 involved hurlers played a vital part in K/K's run to the final. Leahy's return as manager was not wanted by some sections of the K/K club. Lets hope that all players are behind him and the u21 loss will not affect K/K. Ciaran Slevin was the main dangerman last year and will need to be on form on Sunday. They have a strong backbone with the Grogan's, Healion's, Eamonn Lee, Daniel Currams and the experienced Colm Cassidy. This very skillful team didnt do themselves justice in last years county final and will rely on Conor Mahon doing a lot of foraging work around midfield if they are to defeat Coolderry. It's going to be tight, but I’ll go for Coolderry.

Group 2
Lusmagh V Drumcullen
Killcormac 25/04 19.00 Ref: N Russell

Not the most attractive game of the weekend. Lusmagh are favourites but are still without Aidan Hanrahan through injury and have also lost Austin Lynch to a Dublin club. Drumcullen have a few u21`s that played in last weekend's final. John Cashin and Joe Troy should feature prominently for the sash, who still rely too much on Conor Gath. They are a tough side and if it turns into a physical, scrappy battle, they would be confident enough of winning. They have a reliable free taker and will not concede goals too easy.
Lusmagh are marshaled by David Moran at the back, assisted by a couple of Bermingham's - Kevin and Ciaran. Goalkeeper Eoin Kelly has a huge puckout and may fancy some of the long range free’s. They seem to be going well in the league and will be hoping to redeem themselves after exiting the championship pretty tamely in last years q/f. Hard physical game expected, Lusmagh to win.

Birr V Tullamore
Moystown 26/04 19.30 Ref: M Mahon

In last year’s q/f Birr did not have it all their own way against Tullamore. March 17th will not have been forgotten by Birr and their management. Questions remain with regard hunger and also who’s available for this game. Retirements have not been confirmed. It would be a big shock if Tullamore overcome Birr. Will Birr field a team similar to that beaten by Portumna or will they give youth its chance?
Tullamore, whom had 3 county panelists earlier in the year, Shane Dooley, Francis Kerrigan and Stephan Egan. This will be a test for them to see if they are worthy to be considered as potential Offaly hurlers. Will Gearoid O’Grady be available? Will dual star James Keane play considering Offaly footballers fixture the following day? Not all Birr people will be happy that Padjoe is still at the helm but hopefully all issues amongst players and management have been resolved. Birr to win but they will not be at their best.

Group 3
Shinrone V Belmont
Banagher 25/04 19.00 Ref: T Carroll

Shinrone are without Eddie Bevans (Health) and Dan Hoctor (Travelling) for this encounter with Belmont. On the plus side Michael Cordial is back hurling well and should play a key role. Shinrone are backboned by Willie Comeford and transferee David Carney. Otherwise they are a very young team, in the forwards they will be looking to Darren O’Meara, Mark and Damian Bevans. There half backline will more than likely contain Del and Mark Morkam along with Tommy Crean. All very good hurlers but very young and inexperienced.
Belmont have made no progress since they joined the senior ranks however they have avoided relegation. They have lively nippy forwards in Alan, Paul and Mark Egan along with Ciaran Kenny. Mark Egan is also a reliable free-taker. The Kenny brothers, David and Derek will add quality to the backline and the much hyped Colin Egan will be expected to contain “Diggy” Cordial. Shinrone to win.

Kinnitty V Seir Keiran
Rath 26/04 14.00 Ref: N Flynn

Seir Keiran will be boosted by their fantastic u21 victory. They will be brimming with confidence. These 2 teams have played in the championship for the last 3 years with last years game the closest by far. Seir Keiran led all the way but were pipped to the post by Kinnitty. Eanna Murphy and Joe Bergin will be big threats to Kinnitty. The u21’s will have the experience of Barry Bergin, MJ Corrigan and Damian Murphy to call upon.
Last year’s s/f’s Kinnitty are an inconsistent team, 3 semi final’s in 5 years is not bad, but 2 relegation playoff’s in the other years tells a story of its own. County hurler James Rigney will man Midfield/half back line. They will be expecting big games from Odrhan Kealey and Stephan Molloy. Expect Mark Robinson and McRedmonds to add vital experience and Composure.
There will be bite in this affair, along with being close neighbours there is also some ill feeling surrounding previous amalgamation as an u21 team. Close game, Kinnitty to win.

[Lone Shark]

That's quite the first post - kudos, and welcome on board! Feel free to get stuck into the tipsters thread there too....

It's a good run down - I couldn't disagree with much actually. Padjoe is actually not going back to Birr after all, so Noel Hogan and Adrian Cahill are in charge for the weekend but even so I think they'll have way too much for Tullamore. Lack of training or otherwise, you don't forget how to hurl in a month.

I didn't realise Hoctor was travelling either - that's no harm for our lads. Belmont ain't exactly a big team, the more big lads that are missing for Shinrone the better.

[redser]

Cooldery v KK should be the pick of the action.
I half expect KK to win it but to lose to Rynaghs later in the championship.

Rynaghs v Shamrocks
Rynaghs will win this easily enough. Shamrocks are down alot of players and Rynaghs have the 4 county players plus Tanner.

Lusmagh v Drumcullen
A dogfight. Lusmagh should have a bit more quality.

Birr v Tullamore
This group is a waste of time for Birr.

Shinrone v Belmont
I think Shinrone might just pipp them. But Belmont are apparently going pretty well though and have every chance of getting the win.

Kinnitty v Clareen
Clareen are on a high after their u21 success but Kinnitty are a better side than them. Clareen always seem to up it for Kinnitty. I tip Kinnitty to just about get the win.

[the rat]

Just back from the double header in Moystown.

Tullamore shock Birr with a late goal, Birr were awful with only Hayden hurling well. But take nothing away from Tullamore they battled hard and desereved it.

Rynaghs overcame shamrocks in a terrible encounter, Stephen Deleaney and Thomas Couglann not even togged out? Are they injured?