O’Dorney see off Crotta in Stack Park replay

COUNTY SHC ROUND 2A Causeway v St Brendans Saturday, July 9 Abbeydorney 7pm

THIS game is undoubtedly the tie of the weekend. Two teams who met just a couple of weeks ago in a county final – the 2015 league final – coming face to face again with a spot in the semi-final on the line.

Causeway won that game relatively comfortably, but St Brendans had reason to believe they didn’t hit the heights they’re capable of that evening. If that was, in fact, the case then they’ve the prefect chance to prove it.

Their facile victory over Ballyheigue in the first round probably does them few favours. Causeway, meanwhile, had to overcome a determined challenge from Lixnaw to reach this point. Advantage Causeway then? Possibly.

Still one gets the feeling that St Brendans’ know-how could see them through. It’ll be tight though.

Verdict: St Brendans

Abbeydorney v Kilmoyley Sunday, July 10 Austin Stack Park, 2.45pm

THE reigning champions are the warmest of favourites to secure a semi-final berth at the hands of Abbeydorney on Sunday afternoon.

Against Ballyduff in the first round they showed they’d lost none of the competitive edge that saw them claim their twenty third title last September. Jordan Brick seems to have come of age too and secured three points from play in that early afternoon fixture in Abbeydorney a fortnight ago. Old worries about a reliance on a handful of players for scores easing all the time.

Abbeydorney do have the advantage of an extra game going into this game. They were mightily impressive last Sunday evening in seeing off Crotta O’Neills and with PJ Keane, Michael O’Leary and James O’Connor scoring freely should have what it takes to challenge Kilmoyley. Even if, in the end, the champs should win.

Verdict: Kilmoyley

Photo by Domnick Walsh / Eye Focus Brian O’Leary, Abbeydorney and Sean Weir, Crotta O’Neills in action during the first round of the county senior hurling championship