Intermediate ‘A’ new boys Rosslare face Gusserane

TWO MATCHES on Saturday, and another two on Sunday, will get the action up and running in the Intermediate ‘A’ hurling championship this coming weekend.

New Ross is the venue for game one in Group B, at 2 p.m. Saturday, with Gusserane facing newly-promoted St. Mary’s (Rosslare).

The newcomers have last year’s county netminder Cian Byrne up from Minor, along with Reece De La Cour and Jack Meyler, but Seán Finan is working abroad.

Successful manager Daithí Hayes returns, with assistance from John Hore, Tavin Broaders, Micheál Fitzgerald and Johnny McDonald.

The experienced Shane Cullen is unavailable for Gusserane, but Martin Fitzharris has returned from Limerick, while Emmet Cullen and Jamie Sheehan are notable additions from Minor and Under-20 respectively.

Aidan O’Connor of Buffers Alley is on their management team along with Graham Wall, Michael Hennessy and James Kinsella.

Liam Mellows will meet St. Patrick’s in Group A in St. Patrick’s Park at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Darragh Murphy has retired, but Dylan Farrell is a newcomer from Minor ranks for the Coolgreany men, whose mentors are Tommy Dixon, Austin Fanning, Darragh Cullen and Stephen O’Rafferty.

Several of last year’s Minors have joined the Pat’s panel, under the tutelage of Seamus Byrne, Trevor Kenny and Diarmuid Devereux Jnr.

St. Patrick’s Park will also host two games Sunday, starting with last year’s runners-up Geraldine O’Hanrahans and Shelmaliers in Group D at 2 p.m.

Jake Byrne, Michael Cullen and Paddy Somers are up from Under-20 ranks for the Barrowsiders, with manager Tommy Kinsella assisted by trainer Kevin Bolger, John Kirwan and John Ronan.

John Byrne is the Shels manager, with the backroom also including Aidan Murphy and John Banville.

Finally, at 6 p.m. Sunday in the Enniscorthy venue,

Shamrocks will meet Craanford in Group C.

Wicklow dual star Leighton Glynn is managing and coaching the Fr. O’Regan’s, with help from Jimmy Whitty, Paudge Doyle and Kevin Byrne.

Their promising young players up from Minor are last year’s Leinster medal winner Joe Conroy, along with Pat Doyle, Aodhán Whitty, Aidan Kavanagh, Pat Kavanagh and Pádraig Tobin.

The long-serving Anthony Wallace of Shamrocks has retired, but he is now a mentor along with Nicky Murphy and Jim Bob Dempsey.

George Wheelock is back from Na Fianna in San Francisco, while Mick Dobbs has also returned from abroad. Aaron Wallace has joined the squad from the Minor ranks, with Daithí Murphy and Floyd Murphy coming up from their Under-20 team.

The four clubs with first round byes are Duffry Rovers (Group A), Our Lady’s Island (Group B), Oulart-The Ballagh (Group C), and Tara Rocks (Group D).