This weekend’s senior hurling championship action commences on Friday evening at 7.15pm in Ballinasloe with hot favourites for the county cup, Portumna taking on last year’s Intermediate champions Padraig Pearses.
John Jenkin’s side was beaten by Mullagh the last day out, 2-18 to 1-14, and Pearses will be under immense pressure to get anything out of this tie too. They will look to Cyril Donnellan, Fergal Flannery, Tom Kenny, Sean Hardiman and Tomás Flannery to produce big displays, but anything other than a Portumna win would be a colossal upset.
Also in Group A, Mullagh take on Athenry on Sunday in Loughrea at 1.30pm.
Mullagh have two wins from two and will be keen to maintain that winning momentum. Eric Ward has been very impressive in goal, Davy Glennon and Kevin Briscoe are a formidable midfield partnership, and Niall Cahalan and Cathal Dervan are the scoring stars. It is Athenry’s first game in the 2011 championship, although they have two points on the board after a “walk over” against Pearses in round one.
Having two games under their belts, and two victories is a big bonus for Mullagh and should see them start on Sunday as favourites.
In Group B, Ardrahan face Tynagh- Abbey-Duniry on Saturday at 6.30pm in Kenny Park. Both sides are looking for their first points of the campaign. On Sunday Kiltormer take on Liam Mellows at 12 noon in Loughrea.
Group C also has two games down for decision this weekend with Castlegar taking on St Thomas in Athenry on Saturday evening at 5pm and county champions Clarinbridge taking on Turloughmore in Athenry on Sunday at 3pm.
Turloughmore badly need something from this tie as they have only one point from two games. However Clarinbridge did look like a side that has no intentions of handing over their crown easily this season. Based on the form they showed in their 2-14 to 0-13 win over Sarsfields, they should have too much in the tank for Turlough.
Group D leaders Craughwell take on Beagh at 6.30pm on Saturday in Loughrea and, also in that group, Loughrea face Kinvara in Athenry on Sunday at 4.30pm.
