Dundalk focus sights on big breakthrough
CAOLAN Rafferty knows all about the long hard slog to make a breakthrough at an individual level, and he will be critical to Dundalk’s bid for their first All Ireland title in the AIG Barton Shield semi-finals today.
Now a decorated international, Rafferty had to fight hard to make the Irish team, and after claiming his maiden senior championship victory at the South of Ireland this year, he’s the man that Dundalk will be looking to for inspiration in the blue riband foursomes event.
He was partnered by Eoin Murphy, a Boys international in 2017 and 2018, in Dundalk’s Leinster final victory against Enniscorthy and they have no shortage of good memories this year with the younger man on Rafferty’s bag at Lahinch in July.
They face a tough task against Kinsale, who are
chasing a double in Thurles as their AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield side also triumphed in Munster this.
And while they will be without international John Murphy, the St Andrews Links Trophy winner who has returned to college in the US, Kinsale still have a strong side with Munster interprovincial Cathal Butler in their ranks.
The 21-year old partnered 20-year old Eric Rumley in the Munster final against Castletroy while Keith Fitzpatrick combined well with Gary Ward.
The winners of the DundalkKinsale clash with face Clandeboye or Athenry and neither will be easy to beat.
Clandeboye has won four All-Ireland titles at this level, most recently in 2013 at Royal Tara, and they emerged from Ulster once more, defeating a strong Lurgan side by one hole in the final.
Connacht champions Athenry have a young and strong side with teenager Allan Hill playing for Connacht at the Men’s Interprovincial Championship in August.
However, he will be without stablemate David Kitt who is travelling to Argentina to represent Ireland at the Youth Olympics.