HURLING: Mid Tipperary hurling championship draws throw up some cracking games

Some brilliant games are in store in the Mid Tipperary senior hurling championship this year as the quarter final draws mean some of the best teams in Tipperary will knock each other out of the competition at the first hurdle. Upperchurch Drombane fared best in the draws with a bye straight into the semi final stage of the competition. 

The quarter final draws see 2021 county champions Loughmore Castleiney taking on neighbouring parish Drom Inch. Bolstered by the Tipp senior hurling captain Noel McGrath as well as his brothers Brian and John, Loughmore will once again be favourites in many peoples eyes to win the division. They play a rejuvenated Drom Inch side that will have two important leaders in Seamus Callanan and John Campion. The game is sure to be decided in the last five minutes and it is one that will draw the crowds from across the county.

The town sides battle each other in the second quarter final with reigning champions JK Brackens looking to freetaker Lyndon Fairbrother and talisman Paddy Cadell as well as his younger brother Conor to drive them to back the back titles. The boys from Cardens wild domain will have their work cut out against the Padraic Maher managed Sarsfields that will boast the Stakelum brothers as well as Paddy Creedon and Ronan Maher in their ranks. Another mouthwatering tussle is in store there.

Moycarkey Borris under Kilkenny native Eddie Brennan will be many peoples dark horses for the division. Rhys Shelly is one of the best goalkeepers in the country and will be a big influence on their style of play this year with his pin point puckouts.  A big crowd will travel to see them take on the Bryan O'Mara and Cathal Barrett led Holycross who have many quality players that are on the verge of stepping up to senior hurling following a number of successful teams at teenage age grades. 

All three quarter finals will be close and Upperchurch will watch on from the wings to see who will emerge.

In the Premier Intermediate championship Gortnahoe will be favourites to make the grade and they play Moyne in their first knockout game while the Thurles Sarsfields second team will take on the Cian O'Dwyer led Clonakenny who have really stepped up well through the grades in recent years. No easy games at all in the division. The draws in full are below: 

Mid Championship Draws:

Senior QF's:
Loughmore Castleiney v Drom Inch
JK Brackens v Thurles Sarsfields
Moycarkey Borris v Holycross Ballycahill
Upperchurch bye

Premier Intermediate SF's:
Gortnahoe Glengoole v Moyne Templetuohy
Thurles Sarsfields v Clonakenny