Avondhu fancied to just about get the better of Carbery

COUNTY SHC DIVISIONAL / COLLEGES SECTION ROUND 1

AVONDHU will get their senior hurling championship campaign off and running next Tuesday night when they make the trip to the city to take on Carbery at Pairc Uí Rinn.

This Round 1 clash may afford the north Cork side a good opportunity to get off to a positive start however the speed at which this section (Divisions/Colleges) means that there is no room for complacency as one slip out in two weeks will lead to an instant exit from the 2019 championship.

Avondhu bowed out at the first time of asking last year when they were easily dismissed by a UCC side that would ultimately go all the way to the County semi-final before they went out to the eventual winners Imokilly.

Avondhu have been starved of players in recent years as the successes of clubs like Ballyhea, Newtownshandrum and last year’s Premier win by Charleville means that the boys in black and amber will be short most of the best players in the area.

Mallow and Fermoy are hardly likely to encourage their stars to play for the divisional side either which will leave a depleted pot to pick from for the dedicated divisional management team.

For Carbery, last year’s first round loss to CIT was a big blow as the divisional side had played quite well against the college side so they will be hoping that all the pre-season efforts put in this season will see them battle past a side with plenty history in this particular competition.

Avondhu really could do with putting in a decent performance in this year’s competition as the smaller, more rural clubs, look to pick up the slack left by the absence of the larger clubs.

Avondhu’s footballers came a cropper earlier this week so this may well be the last chance to see the divisional colours if the result goes against them.

Big game for both sides with Carbery probably heading in as favourites – nothing to pick between the sides however loyalty to the cause has me going for Avondhu by two.