Round 1
The Emeralds v St Lachtain’s
Saturday: Johnstown, 5pm
St Lachtain’s have held the upper hand in this fixture in recent years, but that could change on Saturday.
The Emeralds have a refreshed Derek Lyng and a fit again Aidan Fogarty. Add in talented youngsters Brian Troy, Conor Martin and Eoin Moriarty, and you have an improving squad capable of taking on any opposition.
The Freshford club have been badly hit by injuries this season, with John Costelloe being a huge loss on the edge of the square.
The absence of the Guinan brothers, Eoin and Paul, and Noel McGree for the summer due to work commitments in the US also affected performances. They are back, but they have yet to play with the team.
St Lachtain’s have had good minor teams over the past three years, and they have plenty of young hurlers coming through. There would appear to be a bit of a hangover in the St Lachtain’s squad from last year’s relegation disappointment, that and the lack of a consistent line up over the season are both negatives for them going into this game.
The Emeralds have added a bit of consistency to their performances this season – something they have previously failed to achieve since they came into the grade. But with Lyng and Fogarty at full tilt they have a great chance of turning the tables on their neighbours and they could nip this one.
Mullinavat v Young Irelands
Sunday: Ballyhale, 12 noon
Mullinavat started the league campaign brightly, but faded as it progressed.
With the loss of Michael Malone and Ian Duggan to work in the United States and former All-Ireland medal winner Willie O’Dwyer commuting to work regularly on the continent, it has been a hit and miss season for the Vat men.
Young Irelands are in the first round and out of the shadow of relegation, due to the advantage of having a better head to head with John Lockes, Callan.
Martin Carey, Michael Walsh, Stephen Byrne, Tom Drennan and Dick Carroll backbone the Gowran outfit. They got to the semi-finals last year, but the eventual winners Dicksboro gave them a bit of a bruising.
Young Irelands are not as good as last year and they have been ordinary enough through the league campaign.
This is a massive game for Mullinavat; a win will give them a chance to regroup and get everyone training together again, and have another tilt at the title.
A loss will mean another year wasted, and they will go back into the pack. Neither team has been impressive so far but Mullinavat look better equipped to advance.
1st round/relegation semi-final
Tullogher Rosbercon v Conahy Shamrocks
Saturday: Bennettsbridge, 2pm
A lack of confidence has dogged this Conahy Shamrocks team over the past two seasons.
They have conjured losses when they had victory in their grasp. Typical of that was the league loss to Young Irelands, when they led by five points with 10 minutes remaining, but lost by two.
It’s hard to pinpoint what the problem is for the Conahy men, but a lack of aerial power in key areas of the field has always been a problem, and the loss of players to emigration has not helped a club with a small panel.
However Martin Fitzpatrick is back for a place around the middle of the field, and if the two Buggys – Paul and Declan – can win some high ball in attack they will be well in contention for a win. Tullogher Rosbercon are a physically powerful team, and the return of Pat Hartley and Walter Walsh will give the team a massive boost.
Richie Dollard, John Hartley, John Barron and John Cotterell are fierce competitors and if they can impose their game on the opposition then the southern team will win.
A contrast in styles, Conahy will be trying to play the ball low and fast, Tullogher will be more direct, the team that imposes their will on the game will win. Tullogher Rosbercon look the more likely to succeed.
Graiguenamanagh v John Lockes
Sunday: Thomastown, 1.30pm
Graiguenamanagh have kept their best form for the relegation battle over the past two seasons, seeing off Thomastown and the Blacks and Whites in 2009 and 2010.
It is generally recognised that Graiguenamanagh are difficult to beat at the Thomastown venue. Michael Doyle (Inistioge ) took on the mantel of manager in mid season and the Graig team has improved.
James Cahill, Ger Dowling, Eddie Walsh and Cathal Dunne along with five minor players continue to lead the charge for green and white hoops. John Lockes are unfortunate to be in the shadow of relegation.
They had a better scoring average than Gowran, but slipped into this position because they lost to the Young Ireland men in the league. Callan had a mean defence when winning last year’s junior championship, and this has continued in the intermediate grade with Paul Morrissey, John O’Neill, Michael Hartley, Michael Roche and Michael Gordon in top form.
The only real blip this year was against the Rower Inistioge in the fourth round of the league. Simon Burke has been hampered all year with an ongoing groin injury, while Ger Shelly has been scoring freely and PJ Cody has been deadly accurate on the frees.
The development minors, Jack McDowell and Eoin McGrath, have also added to the progress of the ‘Lockes this season, and a fit again Jason Corcoran should also be a boost ahead of Sunday’s clash. John Lockes should be good enough to win and advance to the quarter finals.
The League and Shield finals
A double header in Nowlan Park on Saturday has Ballyhale Shamrocks taking on the holders James Stephens in the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League final at 3.30pm.
James Stephens beat the Shamrocks in last year’s decider. The opening game has The Rower Inistioge playing Danesfort in the Michael Lyng Motors Intermediate Hurling League final at 2pm.
The Rower Inistioge beat Danesfort comfortably in the corresponding fixture in 2009. The intermediate shield final is on in Mullinavat at 5pm, when southern neighbours Glenmore play Mooncoin. Last weekend St Martin’s won the senior shield final, defeating O’Loughlin Gaels 1-22 to 2-15.
