PREVIEWS: Round 2 of club hurling championship sets up some exciting ties

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Friday August 5:

Kiladangan V Moyne Templetuohy in Roscrea 7.00

A game which looks like it might be a defacto relegation place playoff, there is so much at stake for both sides. Moyne Templetuohy are having a torrid year with results and injuries and they didn’t put up much of a fight against Silvermines. Gearoid O’Connor is still carrying an ankle injury and will likely miss out again, but Paul Maher should be available after his nasty concussion.

Kiladangan will be without Ruairi Gleeson after a straight red against Roscrea, and with the north men scraping the barrel for personnel, Moyne might just dig out the win they need.

Verdict: Moyne Templetuohy

Thurles Sarsfields V Gortnahoe Glengoole in Leahy Park, Cashel 7.00

Two sides who had very positive results against the head the last day out will face off here. Thurles never quite know where they are until the first championship match, but they impressed, particularly in the second half against Ballina, and with John Maher coming on to good effect, he will surely start here.

Gortnahoe Glengoole threw up the surprise of the weekend with their win over Killenaule and they should build huge momentum going forward into this game.

Verdict: Gortnahoe Glengoole

Saturday August 6:

Ballina V Killenaule in Borris-Ileigh 2.00

This is a game which takes on added significance after opening weekend defeats. Ballina collapsed in the second half against Sarsfields and will be disappointed to only get a share of the spoils from the game.

Killenaule though, are in a really crucial period and will need to bounce back after their loss to their near neighbours. This is a tough one to call, but the big players for Killenaule are capable of more.

Verdict: Killenaule

Cashel King Cormacs V Portroe in FBD Semple Stadium 5.30

A big game which has been given equal billing in Thurles this Saturday. Portroe come into the game as the form team in the group, and they look like they will be hard to stop with their ability to win tight games a real feature of their year to date.
Cashel were quite poor for large spells of the Clonakenny win, and there is big room for improvement.

Verdict: Portroe

Sean Treacys V St Marys in Bansha 7.00

Sean Treacys come into this one after a tough battle against Burgess in which a draw was probably the fairest result. They hurled well in spells but will feel they are capable of more as they face into a St Marys side who top the group.

The Clonmel men’s win over Newport will have injected real confidence back into a team who have slowly been reinforced since the south championship.

Verdict: St Marys

Carrick Swans V Clonakenny in Holycross 7.00

A win is a must for these sides heading into this game. Clonakenny will be sick after losing late on to Cashel in a game they had control of for large spells, but they were far too reliant on Cian O’Dwyer for the scores on the day.

Swans will still be upbeat about their title credentials after a very narrow loss to Portroe that could easily have gone their way, but they should get off the mark here.

Verdict: Carrick Swans

Sunday August 7:

Burgess V Newport in Nenagh 2.00

These north sides aren’t particularly familiar with one another, but that will not dampen this game in the slightest. A win is a must at this stage for the sides, and this game will be tough to call with the teams putting in decent performances in round 1.
Newport were unlucky against St Marys to come out on the wrong side of a one point game.

While Burgess will be buoyed by their turnaround from the Treacys result 12 months previous, with Stephen Murray playing his part. This will be close.

Verdict: Draw

Roscrea V Silvermines in Toomevara 3.00

It took penalties to separate these sides in the north championship, which sets this one up nicely.
Roscrea were in no mood for mercy as they hammered Kiladangan with a bog scoring total, as Evan Fitzpatrick and Luke Cashin went to town.

For Silvermines, it really is the Jason Forde show, and with the county star in such form, they always have a chance, but Roscrea should have the better spread of scorers.

Verdict: Roscrea