HAVING been critical of both the County and Divisional Boards at the valuable weekends lost to the domestic championships during the county senior hurlers odyssey, it’s only right and proper that credit is now handed on as they relentlessly pursue the recovery of much of that lost ground.
Substantial progress was made in sorting out the remaining semi final place in the senior hurling title race last weekend, and barring unwanted draws, we should know the penultimate round line up by All-Ireland final weekend.
Last Sunday saw the departure of Tallow when they went under to Roanmore in a lively Fraher Field joust, but credit brave, battling, Ballyduff who had three points to spare (0-17 to 3-5) over Portlaw to remain very much in contention for that coveted place in the last four.
The Gods were also on their side when the subsequent draw was made with Ballyduff Lower pitted against Roanmore this weekend and the men from the West waiting in the wings to take on the winners for that remaining semi final place.
That game, always providing we get a result this weekend in the Ballyduff Lower/Roanmore tie, will go ahead at Fraher Field most likely on Saturday week.
LIGHTENING STARTS
In senior football there was a decisive seven point (2-12 to 0-11) victory for Ardmore over Kill last weekend, but no such joy for Lismore who had to give best to Tramore on a 4-10 to 1-10 scoreline. A lightening start, which saw Tramore go six points clear inside as many minutes left, Lismore with too much leeway to make up, and they were finally killed off by a brace of second half goals clinically taken by the seasiders sharpest forward, Lee Quilty.
The westerners did manage an injury time goal from a Brendan Landers penalty, but it was the classic case of ‘too little too late’, and they now find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle with Kilmacthomas and Kill.
Agood start proved decisive too for Ardmore in their defeat of Kill. They raced into a 2-5 to 0-1 lead inside seventeen minutes with the goals coming from Gary North and John Conway, and Kill were already heading out of the title race.
To their eternal credit, they more than held their own for the remainder of the game, but the damage had already been done and the seasiders were safely through to a meeting this weekend with St. Saviour’s.
WEEKEND ACTION
The senior football championship dominates the weekend action with three crunch games down for decision, one on Saturday evening and a Fraher Field doubleheader on the Sunday.
Kilrossanty are in the last chance saloon against Tramore on Saturday at Walsh Park (6.30), and they are going to have to step up appreciably on their dismal showing last time out against Stradbally to entertain any kind of realistic chance of surviving.
Tramore had nine points to spare over Lismore last weekend to give credence to their title prospects, and they will be fancying their chances more than a little in this one. That said, Kilrossanty can so very often become a law unto themselves in championship combat, and if any team can leave recent dismal form behind them it is they. Rule them out at your peril!
ARDMORE, RATHGORMACK FANCIED
Sunday evening’s Fraher Field doubleheader should, if the form book holds true, see Ardmore and Rathgormack advance their title chances with respective victories over St. Saviour’s and Ballinacourty.
Ardmore are certain to be in good nick for their clash with Saviours (5.30), and while still struggling just a little to regain last year’s performance level, they would appear to have far too much in the tank against an opposition that has been visibly struggling to maintain a foothold in the title race. A confident vote goes to Ardmore.
Equally it would seem on the face of it that Ballinacourty will struggle to keep the Rathgormack challenge in check. ‘Courty have been decimated by absentees for a variety of reasons and the situation is unlikely to improve before this weekend. Barring an upset of major proportions it has to be Rathgormack to prevail. This one has a 6.50 throw in.
WESTERN BOARD PROGRAMME
The Western Board is also on full throttle this weekend with four games (a brace of doubleheaders) in the intermediate football championship taking pride of place.
On Saturday evening Emmetts and Ballinameela, the respective 2000 and 2001 county junior champions, go head to head at Fraher Field (5.45), followed by the meeting of championship favourites Clashmore and Sliabh gCua.
The Emmetts/Ballinameela game is a difficult one to forecast, but whatever the outcome a lively game is genuinely in prospect. I have a sneaking fancy for Emmetts, but a Ballinameela victory won’t occasion much more than a tingle of mild surprise.
The meeting of Clashmore and Sliabh gCua could be a real humdinger, and while the mantle of favouritism will deservedly rest on Clashmore’s shoulders, it’s far from a certainty that they will overcome the Touraneena opposition.
The Sunday afternoon programme at Fraher Field sees Brickey Rangers taking on Shamrocks (1.45) followed by the showdown between Geraldines and Ballyduff. It’s virtually a toss up in both games, and while this pundit gives the nod to the Brickeys and the Gers, it’s far from certain that I’ll be proved correct.
JFC SEMI FINALS
Both semi finals in the ‘A’ junior football championship will also command considerable attention this weekend with Fraher Field the venue on Friday evening for the renewal of rivalry between Dungarvan and Old Parish (7 0 clock), and twenty four hours later Kilgobinet take on Tallow at Cappoquin.
Old Parish had an impressive six points to spare against Modeligo last weekend, and they will be favourites to continue on their winning way against Dungarvan’s second string. However the Blues will parade many experienced players, including David Burke and Dermot O’Callaghan, stars of the club’s three in a row senior championship victories at the start of the last decade, and they will mount a very strong challenge in this one.
In Sunday’s second semi final at the Cappoquin venue (7 0 clock), Kilgobinet will not only be favoured to account for Tallow but are already the strong fancy of many to go on and annex both the divisional and county titles.
They have strung together a very useful side this year, and while Tallow would need to be treated with respect it will be a surprise of considerable substance if the favourites don’t justify that tag.
The indicators then point to an Old Parish/Kilgobinet final, although I’m certain both Dungarvan and Tallow will have something rather positive to say about that.
J.H. SEMI FINALISTS CONFIRMED
Lain their game at Cappoquin, with the 3-14 to 1-11 scoreline leaving no room for argument about the merits of their victory.
Dungarvan were always in the driving seat as they hammered out a 5-7 to 1-8 victory over Cappoquin; Kilgobinet kept their hopes of a junior championship double very much alive when seeing off Brickey Rangers by 2-11 to 0-6, but probably the most impressive winners of all were Geraldines who inflicted a crushing 4-13 to 2-6 defeat on neighbours Ballinameela.
This was the Gers at their most rampaging best, and you would have to say that of the four quarter finals winners they looked a decisive cut above the other three. Mind you they’ve flattered to deceive in the past, but there’s no doubt that if they can maintain this level of performance they will be the team all of the other three title contenders will have to beat.
ABBEYSIDE CROWNED M.H. CHAMPIONS
The first divisional champions of the year were crowned at Fraher Field last Wednesday evening when Abbeyside captured the Western minor hurling ‘A’ title by virtue of a stirring 2-9 to 2-6 victory over Lismore.
This was a game worthy to grace a decider, and while Lismore fought the good fight with John Heneghan their brightest star, nothing can detract from what was a richly deserved Abbeyside victory over the sixty minutes.
There may have been only a puck of the ball separating the sides at the end, but anything other than an Abbeyside victory would have been a travesty. They had many heroes on the night but pride of place will surely goal to two goal Patrick Hurney whose brace of strikes were so crucially important to his side at the end.
If Hurney was the scorer in chief for the Villagers, his Lismore counterpart was the superb John Heneghan. A quality hurler this fellow, ending the game with a personal tally of 2-2 and both a pity and an injustice that he should end up on the losing side.
Abbeyside then are worthy champions of the West and they can now prepare for a county final showdown with the eastern kingpins, Ballygunner. The Gunners may have caused a surprise or two en route to their victory over Clonea in last week’s divisional final, but they are through to this county decider on merit alone and will present the most formidable of opponents for the Villagers. Its one that has the makings of a battle royal.
LATE EILEEN CULLINAN
Sadly I have to record the passing last weekend of a lady whose family has been an integral part of the GAA scene in the division and the county for more years than I would care to remember.
Eileen Cullinan passed peacefully away at her home in Ring last Thursday, at a comparatively early age but after an illness borne with considerable courage and above all admirable dignity. She was a member of the Murray family, of Ballintaylor, which has been intrinsically linked with the Brickey Rangers club since its foundation.
Eileen lived in the United States for many years, but it was always her burning wish to return home. Sadly she experienced failing health for sometime and finally succumbed to her illness last week and was laid to rest in St. Mary’s parish cemetery in Dungarvan last Saturday.
A lady of immense standing, it was for those of us who knew her a genuine pleasure, indeed a privilege. To her husband Brendan, her sons David and Brendan, daughter Ellen, her brother Patsy Murray, sisters Mairead and Siobhain, and her many other relatives the sympathy of the column is extended. Go ndeine Dia trocaire ar a hanam dilis.
