Kilbrin and Banteer hurling final looks wide open

Banteer v Kilbrin

NEWMARKET houses the attractive meeting of holders Kilbrin and challengers Banteer to an eagerly awaited Kanturk Co-Op Mart Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship Final this Saturday afternoon (2pm throw-in).

No strangers to competition, both sides are well equipped and they have delivered some enthralling tussles and the latest clash promises to provide much of the same. This the 7th meeting of the sides in a final, amazingly Banteer have yet to emerge on top.

For neutrals, hopefully not the repeat to last season’s meeting, that greatly disappointed in a one sided encounter, Kilbrin operated at a higher level, a 10 minute spell during the second quarter proved highly productive on netting three goals. That incisive spell made all the difference, for Banteer, the painful memories of five previous defeats to Kilbrin continued, simply, Banteer held no answers to the superior power of the new champions.

Kilbrin took their initial championship title in 1978 on accounting for Tullylease. The opening battle between Kilbrin and Banteer surfaced in 1989, Kilbrin recording a seven point victory, repeating the feat by three points in the 1992 decider.

And when the sides clashed again in 1999, Kilbrin landed a four point triumph. Subsequently, Kilbrin followed up to better Millstreet (2004), Tullylease (2007 & 2013) Freemount (2011) and Banteer (2012, 2014, 2016) to complete a tally of eleven outright titles.

From this campaign, the formbook took a battering, Banteer emerged worthy winners over Kilbrin in round 2. Still Kilbrin who had availed of a bye to round 1 held a second chance, pitted against Newmarket in the game of the championship todate, Kilbrin breathed life back into their game to record a narow victory.

Pretty straight-forward for Kilbrin thereafter, a blisteing finish helped see off Millstreet before brushing aside the weak challenge of Tullylease in a semi-final.

There is a good shape to the Kilbrin line up, Paudie O’Callaghan brings experience between the posts, with Thomas O’Reilly, Wesley Corkery, Daniel Sheahan and William Egan holding stability and experience to defence. From the centre, Garret Linehan and Shane Crowley may form the midfield pairing. And in attack, Kilbrin possess forwards such as Eoin Sheahan, Stephen O’Reilly and William Heffernan capable of winning games.

Banteer hold seven outright titles on the roll of honour, surfacing to land a first win in 1938 followed by another recorded from 1952. That laid the groundwork for a marvellous three in a row from 1955-56. A number of barren years followed before Banter got the measure of Meelin in 1995 and Freemount in their last title gathered from 2006.

Since 2006, Banteer have reached five finals only to incur a double defeat to Meelin and three losses to Kilbrin.

Banteer enjoyed the satisfaction of a good win over Tullylease first time out. On the overall 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.

Banteer absorbed a late Kilbrin surge to claim a fully deserved victory in round 2. Apart from brief spells, the victors always looked to be more determined and keen to erase previous disappointments.

The winning run continued into the semi-final, Banteer’s experience all too much for newcomers Dromtariffe. In tough conditions, a blistering start laid the platform for Banteer’s return to a decider.

The Banteer line up features ‘keeper Kevin Roche, one of the most dependable in the business, defensively, the Kearney brothers, Brendan Weathers and Richard O’Connor feature, David Murphy and Colm Coughlan may link up at midfield while Banteer will look to the enterprise of Kevin Tarrant, Tadgh Sexton and Denis Roche in attack.

For Banteer, the painful memories of six previous defeats to Kilbrin exist, they don’t need reminding that they have operated second best in finals to their great opponent. Losing finals is a shattering experience, those reversals are sure to rouse Banteer for a terrific effort yet the tendancy is to believe that the balance and experience of Kilbrin is coming right into form may be good enough to retain a hold of the John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup.