Hurling Club Previews and Predictions: Group Stages Conclude This Weekend – Page 1 of 3
FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship
Saturday September 3:
Toomevara V upperchurch/Drombane in FBD Semple Stadium @ 3.45
A top-of-the-table clash that still has some permutations. Upperchurch qualified after two wins but will need to win or draw to avoid the possibility of a preliminary quarter-final.
Toome have shown flashes of quality in their games and will still need points to be assured of a knockout start, but they will need a full performance to improve Upperchurch here, and with the last meeting of these teams unable to separate in 2020, we could be on full-time parity here.
Verdict: To draw
Holycross/Ballycahill V Mullinnothing to Littleton @ 3.45
Holycross will be frustrated at not being able to come out of Toome’s game with something to show for his efforts after playing well during big spells, and will now be looking for a win to avoid relegation.
Joe Ceaser played a part in the Under-19 win over Thurles in the mid-finals last week, so his return could pose an additional threat in attack.
Mullinahone fell short of last year’s highs and can still go through thanks to an Upperchurch win in the other game, but the 13-point difference could be his undoing.
Verdict: Mullinahone
Sunday September 4:
Clonoulty/Rossmore V Kilruane MacDonaghs to Templetuohy at 12.30pm
With Nenagh Éire Óg and Moycarkey all finishing their group campaigns two weekends ago, the permutations here are simple; winner takes all, while a draw will also do for Clonoulty Rossmore.
The West’s men showed real resilience to be able to bounce back to action in the win over Moycarkey, and with Kilruane now facing this game without Craig Morgan after tearing his knee cruciate ligament against Nenagh , everything stacks up in favor of Clonoulty to win and lead the group. Admission is free upon request for a donation to the Order of Malta.
Verdict: Clonoulty/Rossmore
Boris Ileigh V Drom & Thumb in FBD Semple Stadium @ 2.00
A good win against Templederry did little to lift the spirits of Borris supporters as their fate hinged heavily on the Kenyons, causing a huge upset in the other group game.
The opening loss to Thurles seems to have cost them dearly, but they will always be eager to get the best out of their neighbors in a heated derby.
Brendan Maher was in top form on the final day, and they will need others to join him if they are to fulfill their share of the desired outcome.
Drom are looking the real deal this year so far, and with their half-back and midfielder the benchmark for their performances, they will be licking their lips heading into this game with a chance to knock Borris out of the Championship.
Verdict: Drom & Inch
Templederry Kenyans V Thurles Sarsfields to Dolla @ 2.00
There is still an outside chance that Templederry Kenyons could win and avoid the relegation quagmire and qualify, but it is highly unlikely.
It looks like a true David versus Goliath as Thurles Sarsfields need to win to qualify second behind Drom, and with them looking to score after a poor second half performance against Drom on the final day, it could be a very long game for them. Kenyons.
Verdict: Thurles Sarsfield
JK Brackens V Kiladangan in FBD Semple Stadium @ 3.45
The last time these teams met it ended in a draw with JK Brackens in charge of big spells on Day 1 of the 2020 Championship.
Brackens have mixed the impressive and the average in their County matches so far, as they played the part in the knockout stages against Loughmore and probably should have seen it when they had the County champions on the ropes.
Kiladangan are a team struggling for the best form at the moment, and their last day shot almost cost them against Éire Óg, but they must never be written off and if they play to their potential it will get them through here.
Verdict: Kiladangan
Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill V Loughmore/Castleiney @3.45
Loughmore have been the County toast for some time since their final County double last year, but JK Brackens exposed some flaws in their armor on the final day.
The defending champions were very lucky to find a free lag to secure a match draw, and the group are finely balanced with Brackens and Loughmore two points away, while Kiladangan are top with three and Éire Óg bottom with a.
Éire Óg put in a good performance against Kiladangan but couldn’t find the scores to push them towards the end of the game, and with Loughmore laying down a lot more score bite they should find the answers here.
Verdict: Loughmore/Castliney
Click it >arrow> Where ‘Next’ button to view Premier Intermediate Championship previews and predictions.
