Keen JAHC tussle expected between Castlemagner and Freemount

ROUND two to the Kanturk Co-Op Mart Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championships offers exciting tussles over the coming days.

Each side is guaranteed two games where the end of the second round will determine the fate of sides. Any team that wins two games will advance into round 4. A side that wins just 1 game progresses to a third round. Thirdly a team that loses both first and second rounds is eliminated from the championship thus its a make or break week for a number of sides.

That’s the case when Freemount and Castlemagner clash in the opener to a double bill in Kilbrin on Friday evening.

Freemount incurred a defeat to Millstreet first time out, the victors slicker stickwork was very evident in the opening half to forge into a seven points advantage. And while Freemount made a determined effort to get back into the frame through the positive play of Sean O’Mullane, Jason Ballentyne, Sean Fehin and Kieran Broderick; too many errors and inaccurate shooting proved a downfall.

For their part, Castlemagner incurred a two point defeat to Dromtariffe. As the game progressed, Castlemagner established themselves through the effective play of Donal Gayer, David O’Mahony, Conor Murphy and Matt O’Sullivan to enjoy a five point grip at the break.

That momentum failed to be sustained and with the game up for grabs during the latter stages, Castlemagner yielded to a fast finishing Dromtariffe. Injuries and travel will hamper Castlemagner from fielding at full strength yet they might just shade the outcome.

Debutants Dromtariffe encounter fellow first round victors Newmarket in the second game to the Kilbrin double bill.

Having trailed at the break, newcomers Dromtariffe performed with considerable more urgency and industry during the second half against Castlemagner on overturning a five point deficit to lead by six entering the latter stages with Shane McSweeney, Kevin Cremin, Daniel O’Keeffe and Jack Murphy most prominent.

Though conceding two late goals to square up the contest, Dromtariffe delivered the answers in added on time for sharpershooter Seán Howard to post back to back pointed frees to secure the win.

Newmarket packed too much scoring power for Kanturk, an emphatic surge either side of the interval key to the destination of the spoils. In the face of a brave Kanturk onslaught, Newmarket’s game remained totally composed through the workrate of Jamie Hayes, Alan and John Ryan, Jack Guiney and Conor O’Keeffe.

Again, not too much expected between the sides but Dromtariffe’s confidence is sure to be positive after reaching a league final.

The meeting of Kilbrin and Banteer in Kanturk on Sunday revives memories of last season’s decider, Kilbrin easing home comfortable winners.

Banteer enjoyed the satisfaction of a good win over Tullylease first time out. On the overcall run of play, there could be no denying that Banteer deserved success with two goals midway through the opening half laid the foundation for success.

In fairness, Tullylease made a determined bid to rouse a comeback and a productive spell narrowed the arrears to just two points at the close of the third quarter. Still Banteer took up the challenge, their play boosted by the superiority of Martin Kearney, Colm Coughlan, Kevin Tarrant, Damien Kearney and Tadgh Sexton in key departments.

Kilbrin enjoyed a bye in the opening round, relying on a good run in the league to shape up.

And their form is pretty impressive, boosted on a convincing show to sweep past Tullylease in a league semi final where Daniel Sheahan, Stephen O’Reilly, Shane Crowley, Evan Murphy and Eoin Sheahan stood out.

Though Banteer are expected to field a stronger line up than paraded against Dromtariffe in the league semi final, Kilbrin wear the mantle of favourites to succeed.