PREVIEWS: So much intrigue ahead of hurling quarter-final weekend in Tipperary

Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Finals

Thurles Sarsfields vs Drom & Inch

Smiles were etched across the neutral supporters' face when this fixture was pulled out of the hat last Sunday evening, and it has all the makings of another classic as these bitter rivals face off on Sunday.

Two teams teams who are so familiar with one another will write a new chapter in this rivalry, and there’s no doubting that Thurles will want to get one over Drom after the drubbing they received in the round-robin in last year’s championship.
Drom goaled their way to a comprehensive seven-point win that day, but a lot of water has gone under the bridge in the meantime.

Sarsfields have put in a few impressive showings since their early stumble against Kiladangan in their first group game, and could even afford to leave Paddy Creedon off the starting team due to a disciplinary issue, and still look formidable in the win over Nenagh Éire Óg.

Seanie Butler bedded in nicely instead of Creedon, while the appearance of Eoin Purcell off the bench proved to be vital, with the left-hander hitting three vital points.

Drom ended their group campaign on a low note with a big loss to JK Brackens, but that was coloured by the fact that qualification was already assured.

However, they will have to be quick to start here as they will face a battle hardened Sarsfields team, who are most dangerous, especially when the tails are up.

Paddy Creedon will be an option this time around for Sarsfields, while the form of Ronan Maher is where the foundation of the Thurles performances are coming, and this is what Drom will need to address.

Like so many games this year, this one is hard to call but it seems as though Padraic Maher has stumbled upon a formula to get the most out of these Sars’s players.

Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields

Loughmore Castleiney vs Roscrea

This is one of the novel pairings of the round as I can’t recall these teams facing off in the county championship in recent times.

Loughmore cantered through their group without much fuss and haven’t needed to get into their top gear as of yet, with most believing there is plenty more in the tank to come from them.

In the McGrath’s they have match winners but more than that, they have the experience and where-with-all to win tight games and will be hoping to start upping their performance levels now.

Roscrea are firmly in bonus territory having played very well in their group campaign to finish second and qualify for this stage, playing some super running hurling with their fitness and cohesion a real hallmark of their efforts to date.

There will be nothing to lose for Roscrea in this game and they will be relishing a cut at many people’s favourites for county honours.

However, with Ciaran Connolly set to be fit and the expected shift through the gears of Loughmore which usually comes in knockout championship, the mid-men should win this one with a bit to spare.

Verdict: Loughmore Castleiney

Kiladangan vs Holycross Ballycahill

There are side stories aplenty in this quarter-final clash with Holycross Ballycahill manager Gary Byrne living and hurling for Kiladangan junior level, and has no fewer than four sons playing for the north Tipp club!

Holycross coach Micheal Ryan is also married into the Kiladangan parish and has children playing underage for their quarter-final opponents, so there will be plenty of familiarity on the sidelines at least.

The same can’t be said of the onfield meetings as these teams would seldom cross paths, especially in recent years, but all the form and ability would point to a Kiladangan win here.

Like Roscrea, Holycross are in bonus territory and are appearing in their first quarter-final since 2004, and will be throwing off the shackles to have a cut at one of the firm favourites for county honours.

The loss the last day out against Templderry Kenyons will have tempered any notions for Holycross, and they will need big performances from Darragh Woods, Cathal Barrett, and Bryan O’Mara to have any chance here.

Kiladangan are a team with so much experience and have a few minor injury concerns as Willie Connors and James Quigley are carrying injuries, but are expected to take part.
All in all, if Kiladangan play somewhere close to their potential, it should be a comfortable evening for last year’s finalists.

Verdict: Kiladangan

Toomevara vs Clonoulty Rossmore

Clonoulty Rossmore will be hoping to cause more headaches for the top brass in the Tipperary CCC as they will be hope to delay their flirtations with relegation by another few weeks as they face Toomevara this Sunday.

These teams have met quite regularly in the last five years, with Clonoulty beating Toome in the north sides last semi-final appearance back in 2018 before going on to win the final, but Toome have had the edge in their last two meetings, winning the 2019 and 2021 group clashes between the sides by less than a score on each occasion.

Clonoulty produced a good performance to beat Mullinahone in the preliminary quarter-final last weekend, with a few positional and personnel changes working to good effect.

Robert Doyle will need another scoring performance to have Clonoulty close here, as they have struggled for scores, and they will come up against the meanest defence in the group stages in Toomevara.

The Greyhounds topped their group with three wins and have been building nicely, and have had a very settled-looking team all year, and with the McCarthy’s and Jack Delaney in top form, they will be slight favourites.

Again, this will likely be a score either way for the winner, but Toome have managed to find a consistency of performance they have lacked in recent years and they might just shade this one by the minimum.

Verdict: Toomevara