Junior hurling championship opens this weekend
THE E Tarrant and Sons Junior A Hurling Championship opens this week where ultimately by the end of the campaign, the eventual outcome will determine can anyone halt Banteer’s current hold of the John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup.
Last season, Banteer regained their title in the aftermath of a few barren seasons by overcoming Kilbrin in the decider. With eight teams in the 2018 race, all participants will hope for a promising start.
For the second consecutive year, Dromtariffe meet Castlemagner in Kilbrin on this Thursday evening. Both sides have prospered from gaining silverware at Co. Junior B level, Castlemagner progressing to land a divisional JAHC title in 2015.
League form was disappointing for Castlemagner from this season, no doubt, they will be keen to make a firm stance on looking to the guidance of David O’Mahony, Matt O’Sullivan, Jack Cott and Conor Murphy .
In 2017, Dromtariffe took the welcome leap to A ranks having performed in the A league grade over recent years. Boosted by back to back divisional U21 hurling titles, Dromtariffe’s progress is helped on parading a young side that’s building up experience though they will be disappointed on falling to Banteer in the recent league semi final.
Central to Dromtariffe’s game are Mikie O’Gorman, Kevin Cremin, Jack Murphy, Seán Howard and Daniel O’Keeffe. It makes for an interesting clash, Dromtariffe enjoying better returns are capable of landing the spoils.
At Tullylease on Sunday, Newmarket cross swords with Kanturk for the fourth season in a row with the former surfacing to land victories on all previous meetings. Last time out, Newmarket packed too much scoring power, an emphatic surge either side of the interval that left Kanturk trudging wearily.
In fairness to a second string Kanturk, they had competed admirably during the opening 20 minutes, providing Newmarket with a searching test of their mettle. However a surge either side of the interval that yielded a trio of goals within 10 minutes reflected Newmarket’s all round superiority.
A productive season todate for Newmarket with Gavin Forde, Donal Hannon, Kevin O’Sullivan and Ryan O’Keeffe to the fore. Travel and injuries may impact on both sides from fielding at full strength.
By virtue of better preparation and a more balanced line up, the initiative appears to rest with Newmarket.
For many the top of the bill to the opening round is the familiar pairing of Freemount and Kilbrin in the second game to the Tullylease double bill. Some terrific tussles have emerged, in 2015, Freemount upset the odds to down reigning champions Kilbrin in a thrilling opening round.
Tagged as underdogs going into that game, Freemount served up a marvellous display in a fast, high scoring encounter, the winners first touch always better in a sharp edge to their game.
The sides renewed rivalry the following season where it took a replay to divide the pair in a quarter-final. Having got out of jail in the drawn encounter eight days previously, Kilbrin delivered an improved showing yet it took a lengthy spell to confirm their superiority. Ultimately a fancied Kilbrin emerged worthy winners after outscoring Freemount 0-10 to 0-1 during the closing quarter.
That said, Kilbrin didn’t have it all their own way earlier, the sides deadlocked on 10 occasions. I
Of course, Kilbrin relented their title last season, showing glimpses of their old form in the league with Thomas O’Reilly, Eoin Sheahan, Daniel O’Sullivan and Stephen O’Reilly prominent. Freemount haven’t been as conspicuous yet they can take encouragement from the efforts of Mike Curtin. Dean Collins, Aidan O’Flynn and Ian Guiney.
On going form, Kilbrin will enter the fray as favourites though Freemount are a bit of a bogey and well capable of turning the formbooks on its head.
FIXTURES
Dromtariffe v Castlemagner, Kilbrin 8pm
FRIDAY, JUNE 22
Nevin Cup JBFL2
Lyre v Rockchapel, Banteer 8pm
County U-21 ‘B’ FC
Duarigle Gls v Na Piarsaigh, Carrigadrohid 7pm
SUNDAY, JUNE 24
E Tarrant & Sons JAHC
Newmarket v Kanturk, Tullylease 2pm Kilbrin v Freemount, Tullylease 4pm Nevin Cup JBFL1
Boherbue v Dromtariffe, Boherbue 2pm
TUESDAY, JUNE 26
Nevin Cup JBFL3
St. Johns v Lismire, Station Road 8pm
FRIDAY, JUNE 29
E Tarrant & Sons JAFC
Cullen v Knocknagree, Boherbue 7.30pm Kanturk v Lyre, Castlemagner 7.30pm,
Nevin Cup JBFL1
St. Johns v Castlemagner, Station Road 8pm
Singleton Cup JBHL
Meelin v Freemount, Meelin 8pm
SATURDAY, JUNE 30
Ducon Cup Final
Boherbue v Dromtariffe, Millstreet 8pm Nevin Cup JBFL1
Kilbrin v Cullen, Kilbrin 8pm
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 Singleton Cup JBHL
Newmarket v Meelin & Kilbrin v Banteer
FRIDAY, JULY 6
E Tarrant & Sons JAFC
If Dromtariffe v Kanturk TBC
SATURDAY, JULY 7
E Tarrant & Sons JAFC
Boherbue v Castlemagner, Newmarket 7.30pm
MONDAY, JULY 9
U-21 ‘A’ HC
Dromtariffe v Robert Emmets U-21 ‘B’ HC
Banteer v Millstreet, Croke Rovers v St. Marks