New look Duhallow face Avondhu in opening round of County SHC

DUHALLOW face an examination of their credentials in taking on Avondhu in the opening round to the County Senior Hurling Championship(Divisional/Colleges section) in Mourneabbey on this Thursday night.

Questions hung over the involvement of Duhallow late last season following Kanturk’s upgrading to senior ranks. However with plenty of interest, Duhallow are committed to be involved, team management Jim O’Sullivan and Noel O’Callaghan assisted by Steven Lynch and Donal Mannix.

Showing plenty of resolve in recent years, Duhallow had made progress though hampered by club fixtures. Two seasons ago, Duhallow overcame Carrigdhoun before incurring narrow defeats to Blackrock and Bishopstown. From 2017, Duhallow began on a promisingly note, getting the nod over Youghal, that placed Duhallow in a tough round 2 against Sarsfields, the latter pulled away for a comfortable win.

Another chance awaited Duhallow, surviving a late charge from Bride Rovers. Early in the second half, Duhallow looked well placed to secure a win to lead by five points yet entering the closing stages, the operation became an exercise in survival after Rovers drew level thanks to an opportunist goal.

Crucially Duhallow wrestled back control and late points from Kilbrin players Stephen O’Reilly and Shane Crowley decided the outcome to an entertaining contest. That placed Duhallow into Round 4, again club fixtures on the same weekend proved a major handicap against a physically strong Erins Own.

A team management are working off a committed panel yet weather conditions has severely restricted preparations. And with the domestic hurling league season deferred, no game has been played todate and this lack of competitive fare will hinder hopes of progress.

Last season, exciting talent such as Jack Murphy, Séan Howard, Stephen O’Reilly and Matt O’Sullivan delivered creditable performances. Returning to the line up this season are Donal Hannon (Newmarket), Conor O’Callaghan (Dromtariffe), Garret Linehan (Kilbrin), T J Brosnan (Meelin) and Kevin Roche (Banteer) though the experienced Mark Ellis is a loss owing to injury.

Opponents Avondhu can draw on a host of good players from Premier and intermediate clubs such as Mallow, Fermoy, Kilworth and Charleville. Not the best of campaigns last season, a depleted Avondhu faltered to Carbery first time out, an improvement surfaced yet another defeat in Round 2 to Bride Rovers.

With Diarmuid Riordan, Jonathan Lenihan and Jerry Ryan elevated into a selection committee will ensure a strong Avondhu outfit will take to the field. And with many of their players enjoying competitive action, that will provide a degree of sharpness.

An intriguing contest lay in prospect between the two neighbouring divisions, no second chance here for the losers and that points to a competitive battle. On paper, given the drawbacks to Duhallow preparations, Avondhu will wear the mantle of favourites.