Newcomers Dromtariffe and Castlemagner set for Junior hurling championship clash
THE Kanturk Co-Op Mart Junior A Hurling Championship opens this weekend where ultimately by the end of the summer, the holders of the John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup will be known.
Reigning champions Kilbrin regained the trophy last season from neighbours Castlemagner who had basked in glory for the first time in 55 years. Kilbrin can avail of a first round bye as the opening round throws up some rousing tussles.
The pick of the crop is the clash of newcomers Dromtariffe and Castlemagner in Banteer on Saturday. Both sides have prospered from gaining silverware at Co. Junior B level, Castlemagner progressing to land a divisional JAHC title in 2015.
League form is pretty encouraging for Castlemagner, evident from a good win over Kilbrin. No doubt Castlemagner will be keen to make a firm stance on looking to the guidance of David O’Mahony, Matt O’Sullivan, Bryan Barry and Conor Murphy yet an unfortunate injury rules out the experienced Jack Cott.
Dromtariffe take the welcome leap to A ranks having performed in the A league grade over recent years. Boosted by a first time divisional U21 hurling title and county Junior B league and championship honours last season, Dromtariffe progress is helped on parading a young side that’s building up experience.
Central to Dromtariffe’s game are Mikie O’Gorman, Kevin Cremin, Jack Murphy, Seán Howard and Daniel O’Keeffe.
Adding to the intrigue of the contest are former Meelin greats Thomas Mahony and Neilly Forrest will patrol the sidelines on guiding their respective charges. It makes for an intriguing contest, both sides in form, injuries will dampen Castlemagner’s cause and Dromtariffe may possess the artillery to shade matters.
Meanwhile Freemount clash with Millstreet at Kilbrin on Sunday with the prospect of a wide open contest.
Freemount came ever so close last season to halting the progress of Kilbrin, only to falter in the latter stages of two games played. From 2017, form is mixed in the league yet Freemount are pretty formidable opponents on looking to the encouragement of the Ballentynes’, Jason and Alan along with Denis Curtin, Dean Collins, Aidan O’Flynn and newcomer Ian Guiney is transferred from Meelin. To bring plenty of experience.
Not much is known on Millstreet, a disappointing league campaign coupled with injury and Co. intermediate football involvement hampered their preparations.
However with Mark Ellis, Ger McCarthy, Paul Sheehan, Beirtheart O’Connor, Michael Vaughan if fit and Stephen Barrett on board ,Millstreet usually raise their game for the championship.
Expect little between the sides yet by virtue of better preparation and a more balanced line up, the initiative appears to rest with Freemount.