CLUB HURLING PREVIEWS: Plenty of close ties expected as county club action returns

What a weekend of hurling action to come, starting this Friday, as every club in the county will start their championship campaigns with fresh optimism, with intermediate, premier intermediate and senior games taking place over the three days of the weekend.
See below for all the first round match-ups, line-ups and predictions for this weekend’s fare.

SENIOR

FRIDAY, JULY 28th - Group 2 - Round 1

Kilruane MacDonaghs V Toomevara in Nenagh @ 7.30pm

County champions Kilruane MacDonaghs begin the defence of their crown against familiar opposition in the opening round of Group 2.

They will be without the services of target man Kian O’Kelly for the first game at least, as he is yet to return from San Francisco.

They failed to hit their best form in the north semi-final loss to Borris-Ileigh but will be delighted to have Craig Morgan back hurling.

Toomevara for their lot have been hit big time with players picking up injuries or travelling abroad, with Alan Ryan and Jason Ryan moving abroad, while a long-term injury to Kenny Ryan has stifled his involvement.

Mark McCarthy will be a big loss as he serves a one-match suspension picked up in the quarter-final clash last year. The sides played out a close county quarter-final last year in Thurles, and this game will be no different.

Verdict: Draw

Roscrea V Moycarkey Borris in Templemore @ 7.30pm

This represents a game in which both sides can ill afford to start slow as the third and fourth seeds clash in the other game of Group 2.

Roscrea are fresh from promotion but had a timely reminder of the level they need to match in defeat to Kiladangan in the North championship.

They have a very young squad and will be looking to Alan Tynan to push them forward after a good campaign with Tipperary this year.

Moycarkey are without last year’s captain Pat Molloy through injury but will feel they are not far off getting to the knockout phase.

Verdict: Moycarkey Borris

SATURDAY, JULY 29th - Group 1 - Round 1

Drom & Inch V Nenagh Éire Óg in Templemore @ 6.45pm

Two teams who had very different divisional campaigns and performances. Nenagh are coming into this game fresh from a second successive North title, while Drom & Inch were way below their best in their defeat to Loughmore Castleiney.

However, Nenagh will be without the in-form Jake Morris for this game, after suffering a nasty injury in a clash with James Quigley which has left him with a fractured eye socket.

They are playing well defensively though, despite the loss of Conor McCarthy, with Paddy Murphy getting a new lease of life in the half-back line.

Drom were very impressive in last year’s campaign and with the only mainstay of the team missing in the form of Johnny Ryan, they will have a settled team, and if they can get their gander up early, the loss of Jake Morris could be terminal for Nenagh.

Verdict: Drom & Inch

Group 3 - Round 1

Templederry Kenyons V Loughmore Castleiney in Borris-Ileigh @ 6.45pm

Templederry Kenyons will be hoping to improve on their relegation appearance last year, but they face a tough task in their opening game.

There is no doubting the Kenyons have attacking talent in Sean Ryan, Adrian Ryan, Gearoid Ryan, and Éanna Murray amongst others, but they are far too prone to concede heavy totals at the other end, which will be a concern; conceding heavily against Nenagh. They are pretty much at full strength apart from the loss of Brian Stapleton who is abroad.

Loughmore were impressive in dismantling Drom & Inch but were poor in their loss to Upperchurch Drombane. They are unlikely to have the services of Ciaran Connolly who picked up a knock in the loss the last day out, but with the scoring power they have, they should win this without much trouble.

Verdict: Loughmore Castleiney

SUNDAY, JULY 30th - Group 4 - Round 1

Borris-Ileigh V Clonoulty Rossmore in FBD Semple Stadium @ 12pm

The group of death throws up the games of the weekend, and wins will be like gold dust in this group. As usual, Clonoulty Rossmore have a preliminary quarter-final in the bag after breezing to another West title a few weeks ago.

Borris-Ileigh will be concerned with their lack of punch in the loss to Kiladangan recently, and look to be short of numbers this year with Niall Kenny in particular a big loss to them.

Paddy and Ray McCormack only featured as late subs against Kiladangan, so a few weeks of training for them will be important.

Clonoulty though, look really good on paper and on form, and that should hold true here.

Verdict: Clonoulty Rossmore

Thurles Sarsfields V Kiladangan in FBD Semple Stadium @ 1.30pm

Another clash of top-tier senior clubs on Sunday in Thurles. Sarsfields won their 47th Mid title last weekend and will be in good fettle here.

They have serious strength in depth as Denis Maher, Tommy Doyle, and Paddy Creedon were all introduced in the Mid final last Saturday.

Kiladangan will have Tadhg Gallagher and Decky McGrath back after suspension, while Bryan McLoughney will be sharper with a week’s training under his belt after returning as a substitute against Nenagh. This will be close.

Verdict: Draw

Group 1 - Round 1

Mullinahone V JK Brackens in Littleton @ 12.30pm

A must-win match you would think for these teams if they have aspirations to get out of the group. Brackens are without Paddy Cadell still with his long-term injury, and his leadership will be sorely missed.

Mullinahone have had mixed bags in the last few years and were far too close to relegation for their own comfort last year.

It is hard to pick a winner here as the teams have had checkered form based on the league and divisional action, but the pace and athleticism might just tip it in the Templemore men’s direction.

Verdict: JK Brackens

Group 3 - Round 1

Holycross Ballycahill V Upperchurch Drombane in Cashel @ 1.15pm

The final senior clash of the weekend sees two Mid rivals face off. Upperchurch are a team on the up and the addition of Paddy Phelan to a team that had a fantastic 2022 will only improve their chances, but they will need to shake off another disappointing Mid final loss to Thurles Sarsfields last weekend.

Holycross are being touted to come good with the flurry of underage talent ready to step up in the next few years, but they still seem to be short of scoring forwards.

Should Upperchurch Drombane not carry any baggage from the Sars loss, they will have too much for Holycross.

Verdict: Upperchurch Drombane