Last chance for four clubs
Ferns, Rapps, Shamrocks, GOH all backed into corner
WHILE THE various club hurling championships only commenced last weekend, four clubs are already in the last-chance saloon as they prepare for must-win second round ties in the coming days.
The cut-throat nature of the new-look competition is emphasised by the harsh reality facing Ferns St. Aidan’s and Rapparees, last year’s Pettitt’s Senior semi-finalists.
After both suffered disappointing defeats, they face massive assignments with their future in the championship on the line.
Rapparees have a daunting task in Chadwicks Wexford Park on Friday at 7.30 p.m., meeting the 2018 victors, Naomh Eanna, who will be making their debut in the competition.
And Ferns St. Aidan’s will travel to the same venue on Saturday at 7 p.m., knowing they need to take something from their game with Fethard after Faythe Harriers snatched victory from under their noses last weekend.
Technically, a draw might still suffice for either team if the result of the last group game subsequently went their way, but they certainly won’t be approaching these matches with that type of mindset.
The Senior duo are two of four clubs with the threat of an early end hanging over them after the first round matches, with a couple of Intermediate ‘A’ contenders also in the same boat.
Geraldine O’Hanrahans were one of the most frustrated teams of the weekend, losing to Shelmaliers as a result of a couple of last-gasp goals.
And while they ran Ballygarrett very close in last year’s county final, they won’t be contesting the knockout stages this time around without a favourable result against Tara Rocks in St. Patrick’s Park on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Meanwhile, the prospects look bleak for Shamrocks, who face a tough task against Oulart-The Ballagh after being hammered by Craanford in their first encounter.
Following relegation from the Intermediate grade last year, the Enniscorthy town team will have to produce something special to stay alive, given that their opponents are likely to feature several winners of multiple Senior medals.
This coming weekend will see debut outings in the Senior championship for Cloughbawn, Naomh Eanna, Glynn-Barntown and Fethard respectively, while Taghmon-Camross, Askamore, Adamstown and Blackwater will savour Intermediate action for the first time.
The four sides with Intermediate ‘A’ byes for round one – Our Lady’s Island, Tara Rocks, Duffry Rovers and Oulart-The Ballagh – will also take to the field, along with Marshalstown-Castledockrell,
Horeswood, Davidstown-Courtnacuddy and Glynn-Barntown at Junior level.
The first round games appeared to go off without a hitch, albeit with restricted crowds at all nine venues utilised for the 18 matches in total, from Senior down to Junior ‘B’.
The action started with two Senior games on Friday, with titleholders St. Martin’s seeing off Oulart-The Ballagh in front of the TG4 cameras, while St. Anne’s were too strong for Rathnure.
Shelmaliers and Faythe Harriers made winning starts to their respective groups on Saturday, while the Intermediate points over the weekend went to Crossabeg-Ballymurn, HWH-Bunclody, Buffers Alley and Oylegate-Glenbrien.
The only draw across the top four grades came in Intermediate ‘A’, with Junior titleholders St. Mary’s (Rosslare) sharing the spoils with Gusserane, while Liam
Mellows, Craanford and Shelmaliers secured victories.
The four Junior winners were Rathnure, Rapparees, Monageer-Boolavogue and St. Martin’s, while Clongeen claimed two Junior ‘A’ points on home soil.
Our reporters attended each and every one of the 18 matches, with extensive coverage inside of a bumper weekend of action that didn’t appear likely to happen just a few short months ago.