Banteer face up to Tullylease in JAHC

TULLYLEASE tackle last season runners up Banteer in the Kanturk Co-Op Mart Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship first round tie at Newmarket this Friday evening.

When the pair met last season, a storming second half performance helped Banteer steer clear to an unpredicted 20 point triumph. There was little doubt regarding the merits of the victors once Banteer stamped their authority on the proceedings, ascending to the top that bordered close to perfection.

From an impressive Banteer performance, they offered the far greater intensity, the better balanced and more accomplished outfit chalked up a 2-28 tally.

In contrast, Tullylease having added to an enjoyable opening half, struggled for fluency on the restart and seldom came near the form that snatched a dramatic win over Freemount after a replay in the previous round.

Indeed, Tullylease were limited to just a single point during the second half, Banteer completely in charge and they held a plethora of scores to prove their dominance.

The 2016 campaign saw a roller coaster run by Banteer, coming up short to Kilbrin in the opening round but they were back in business following a comprehensive victories over holders Castlemagner, Tullylease and Millstreet.

That placed Banteer in a decider against bogey side Kilbrin, again Banteer flattered to deceived on falling well short of their best to incur a hefty defeat. To date, the current season is promising for Banteer, unbeaten in the league to a side that looks to the guidance of Martin and Damien Kearney, Brendan Withers, Denis Roche and James Twohig.

Likewise Tullylease sampled mix joy from last season, their highlight surely the manner of a recovery in a replay against Freemount. It appeared Tullylease had been let down by poor shooting to fall behind by five points at the end of regulation time.

However Tullylease finished at a gallop,goals netted by Aidan O’Gorman and Stephen Stokes in addition points from Shane Hehir sealed a dramatic victory but it proved to be a false dawn on a subsequent defeat to Banteer.

Some encouraging form from the current league, Tullylease enter this contest on the foot of a good win over Millstreet. Spearheading their drive will be Eamon Hannigan, Padraig Denn, Hehir, Markie Sheehy and O’Gorman.

It makes for an interesting tussle, with both sides having an awful lot to prove after some indifferent performances in this championship over recent years, a competitive affair is on the cards with Banteer fancied to hold the edge.