All to play for in search of hurling league semi-final places
IT’S a crunch few days to the Twohigs Super Valu Junior A Hurling League with the preliminary series set for an exciting climax and a number of key games will determine all four positions to the knockout berths.
With eight teams involved, currently 7 remain in the hunt for next week’s semi finals. And such is the competitive nature of the league, the concluding position may not be filled until next Wednesday evening, the last game in the preliminary series sees holders Newmarket face Freemount.
Indeed Newmarket may well require a result from that tussle to remain involved if they harbour hopes on reaching the knockout phase. However Freemount are likely to be in the shake up too if they were to register back to back wins over the weekend. And with a number of viable contenders doubly involved, the picture will be much clearer by Sunday evening on the merits of contenders.
The current placings in the League table read Kilbrin (6 games played) 10 points, Banteer (5) 8 pts, Tullylease (6) 8 pts, Dromtariffe (5) 6 pts, Newmarket (6) 6pts, Castlemagner(5) 4 pts, Freemount (4) 2 pts, Millstreet (5) 0 point.
Kilbrin have booked a semi-final place leaving Banteer, Tullylease, Dromtariffe, Newmarket, Castlemagner and Freemount jostle for the three remaining positions.
Some big games on Friday evening see Tullylease home to Banteer. Tullylease crept right back into the reckoning following a win over Newmarket, likewise Banteer recovered after their unbeaten run was halted by Kilbrin to record a narrow win over Dromtariffe.
It makes for an interesting tussle where a draw would be good enough for both sides to advance.
Dromtariffe welcome Castlemagner, a win is a must for the latter who may be depleted owing to injuries. For Dromtariffe, they were somewhat unlucky against Banteer and they may shade the issue.
Freemount entertain Millstreet, surely the former on a mission to reverse a recent championship defeat. Millstreet are out of the equation for league progression, that should be good enough for a Freemount win.
If they do so, Freemount would take encouragement into Sunday’s tussle against Castlemagner. For either party, nothing more than two wins will suffice over the weekend to extend their involvement.
Two interesting games on Sunday morning sees Dromtariffe home to leaders Kilbrin. Results on Friday evening may well determine Dromtariffe’s position yet Kilbrin are sure to provide a competitive test. Elsewhere, the formbook points to a Banteer win away at Millstreet. By Sunday night, results from 27 of the 28 games will be determined yet the composition of the four teams for the semi finals may wait to Wednesday evening on the meeting of Freemount and Newmarket.
Freemount require two wins from the weekend to remain in contention whilst football involvement sees Newmarket wait to mid week to play their concluding hurling game. Its been an indifferent campaign for holders Newmarket, three wins from 6 starts recorded.
A win is a must here for Newmarket as it may also be for Freemount thus a competitive battle is on the cards.
From the Ducon Cup, Knocknagree and Boherbue are almost assured of semi final berths. Elsewhere Cullen and Dromtarriffe are in contention with Castlemagner chasing wins to bring them into the reckoning.
The state of play in the Ducon Cup reads Knocknagree (7 games played) 12 points, Boherbue(6) 9 pts, Dromtariffe(6) 6 pts, Cullen(5) 5 pts, Castlemagner (5) 2pts, Lyre (7) 2 pts.
Two upcoming ties involving Boherbue will shed light on matters, on Friday, they are home to Cullen and welcome Dromtariffe on Tuesday.