Kilbrin and Banteer renew rivalry in league semi-final

BANTEER and Kilbrin cross paths in a semi-final to the Kanturk Credit Union Duhallow Junior A Hurling League in Castlemagner on Sunday.

This is a repeat of a JAHC decider three weeks earlier with Kilbrin emerging clearcut winners by eight points. At key stages, there was much to admire in the stickwork and energy of Kilbrin’s hurling with three goals in the second quarter deciding the outcome.

After a few close encounters between the pair earlier in the decade, Kilbrin appear to be holding the upperhand. In last season’s league final, again Kilbrin put together a convincing display to claim a clear 1-18 to 0-11 victory.

Those margins are in sharp contrast to previous meetings between the pair in in previous league knockout fare. Indeed the clash evokes memories of wins by Banteer in back to back league deciders yet when the sides met in championship finals, the outcomes were reversed in favour of Kilbrin,

From 2012, it took two and a half hours to separate the pair where in a replay, Banteer eased their way past Kilbrin. It compensated for a dramatic Banteer defeat by Kilbrin earlier in the championship, winning by a two point margin.

From 2013 a resolute 13-man Banteer weathered a late Kilbrin comeback to retain their League title. In another engaging decider, the reigning holders took the early initiative, built into a three point lead at the interval and extending it to lead by a comfortable eight point margin at the three quarter stage. Subsequently, Banteer were able to live off that investment after losing two defenders in the closing 10 minutes.

However in the past three years, Kilbrin have gained a commanding upperhand. That was illustrated in the recent JAHC decider, Kilbrin regaining the honours and for good measure, they got over a county quarter final obstacle provided by Kilbree to secure a semi-final date with Mayfield.

Banteer need no reminding of some disappointing returns from recent outings and that may instill a desire for a major effort. However Kilbrin are the form team and they are fancied to progress to a meeting against Newmarket. HOLDERS Robert Emmets and Millstreet clash in the second Duhallow U-21 HC semi-final in Dromtariffe on Sunday. Emmets shaded Kanturk in the opening hurdle, the Newmarket and Lismire combination owed much to the strong play of Cathal Browne, Michael Cottrell and Conor O’Keeffe with Barry O’Connor and Donal Hannon in fine shooting form.

Meanwhile Millstreet chalked up a big score against Croke Rovers with Beirtheart O’Connor, Paul O’Connor, Tomás Sheehan, Darren Kiely and Tomás Walsh effective operators. Sure to give it a good try, the tendancy is to believe that champions Emmets possess the greater balance to succeed and book a place against Dromtariffe in the decider.

Two semi-finals to the Junior B Football Championship Group 2 command interest with interesting duels promised.

Dromtariffe come up againt Glenlara in Banteer on Saturday, the prospect of a close contest. From their previous assignment, Dromtariffe gathered the upperhand on Boherbue, the positive play of Dan Mann, Paddy Daly and Pat Dennehy key to the side.

Glenlara claimed a narrow win over Freemount with Joe Collins, Tim Collins, the Fitzpatricks central to their game.

Given the going form to date, there is little to separate the pair but Dromtariffe may be capable of shading matters to what’s sure to be another close encounter.

St. Johns face up to Lismire with a fine margin expected to divide the sides. Ever so close to landing the Group 1 honours only to incur a two point defeat to Newmarket, St. John’s look to make amends.

Their team is centred around the O’Keeffe brothers, the Barretts, Micheál Buckley and Shane Kelleher.

Lismire gathered morale boosting win over Rockchapel the positive play of Mark Field, Peadar Cronin, Damien Finn, Padraig and Stephen Jones inspired confidence.

But at the end of the hour, it will be the team that will make the most of their domination that can advance to the decider against Dromtariffe or Glenlara. On this occasion, St. John’s with an incentive may appear good enough to succeed.