Muskerry will carry favourites tag for clash with Duhallow

COUNTY SHC DIVISIONAL / COLLEGES SECTION ROUND 1

DUHALLOW face an examination of their credentials on taking on Muskerry in the opening round to the County Senior Hurling Championship (Divisional/Colleges section) at the Pairc Ui Chaoimh 4G on Tuesday night.

Questions hung over the involvement of Duhallow last season following Kanturk’s upgrading to senior ranks. However with plenty of interest, Duhallow fielded a young side that were committed to be involved and delivered a creditable showing only to come up short to Avondhu.

For 2019, a team management Steven Lynch, Noel O’Callaghan and John Cremin are working off a 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.

Returning to the line up this season are Mark Ellis (Millstreet), Donal Hannon (Newmarket), Conor O’Callaghan (Dromtariffe), Stephen O’Reilly (Kilbrin), Eamon Brosnan (Meelin) and Brendan Withers (Banteer).

Opponents Muskerry can draw on a host of good players from Premier and intermediate clubs that will include county and Munster Junior champions Cloughduv, Not the best of campaigns last season, a depleted Avondhu faltered to champions Imokilly first time out.

Still Muskerry will be expected to parade a strong line up that will include Seán O’Donoughue (Inniscarra), John Mullins, Kevin Hallissey (Éire Óg), Paul Ring (Aghabullogue) and the Verling brothers (Cloughdubh). And with the majority of the Muskerry 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,

Muskerry will probally wear the mantle of favourites.