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

INTERMEDIATE

FRIDAY, JULY 28th - Group 1 - Round 1

Arravale Rovers V Carrick Davins in Fethard @ 7.30pm

Arravale have played well recently, despite being without Johnny Ryan for much of their year to date. They face a Carrick Davins side who did well in defeat to Kilsheelan Kilcash in the South, but they will struggle to stay up this year.

Verdict: Arravale Rovers

Group 4 - Round 1

Skeheenarinky V Ballybacon Grange in Clonmel @ 7.30pm

Skeheenarinky were the surprise package at this grade in 2022, and have been in good form in the South. James Barry will be a good addition after his transfer from Upperchurch Drombane.

They face a Ballybacon Grange team who continue to defy the odds and are favourites once again for relegation.

Verdict: Skeheenarinky

SATURDAY, JULY 29th

Group 2 - Round 1

Golden Kilfeacle V Cappawhite in Dundrum @ 1.30pm

Golden Kilfeacle will be boosted by the recent return of the new kid on the block Ben Currivan, while they will have to plan without Niall Heffernan who is away in Australia this year.

Cappawhite have a West title in the bag, and with Dara McCarthy in terrific form inside with the dangerous Willie Barry, they will be confident of a second win of the year against this opponent.

Verdict: Cappawhite

Group 3 - Round 1

Boherlahan Dualla V Kilsheelan Kilcash in Cahir @ 2.30pm

In the Kehoe brothers Mark and Barry, Kilsheelan have two very good forwards in form. Paul Maher is expected to return to bolster their efforts but they will earn it against a Boherlahan Dualla team fresh after a Mid championship win with the help of newly recruited brothers Brian Óg and Ger O’Dwyer.

Verdict: Kilsheelan Kilcash

Group 2 - Round 1

Kiladangan V Ballingarry in Templemore @ 5pm

These two have had some intriguing battles in recent years including a penalty shootout. Ballingarry won a Division 3 league title and have looked decent with Dylan Walsh looking dangerous.

Kiladangan have been hampered by suspensions to first team players which has stripped them slightly, but they are still a tough prospect at this level.

Verdict: Ballingarry

Group 4 - Round 1

Upperchurch Drombane V Borrisokane in Moneygall @ 5pm

Borrisokane will be so disappointed with their North final loss to Moneygall, having played so well in the semi-final.

Upperchurch Drombane took a hammering in their Mid loss to Boherlahan Dualla, and without James Barry, they look vulnerable.

Verdict: Borrisokane

SUNDAY, JULY 30th - Group 3 - Round 1

Shannon Rovers V Moneygall in Nenagh @ 11.45am

A repeat of their extra-time North semi-final clash a few weeks ago. Moneygall were expected to win that game with ease, but never reached their level.

They righted that in the final obliteration of Borrisokane last weekend, and won’t underestimate a Shannon Rovers team who are shorn of numbers through injury and starters from last year.

Verdict: Moneygall

Group 1 - Round 1

Drom & Inch V Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams in Holycross @ 5.30pm

Knockavilla are without a big number of regulars for various reasons, with the Horgan brothers suspended, and Lorcan Carr and Eddie Daly out too.

Drom & Inch put up a good show against Boherlahan Dualla in the Mid final last weekend, but are missing a real quality scoring forward.

Verdict: Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams