Clash of Newmarket and Kilbrin promises a lot

Kilbrin v Newmarket

KILBRIN and Newmarket go head to head in a first time meeting in the divisional Junior A Hurling Championship showpiece.

With both sides upsetting the odds in their respective semi finals means the pair are well primed for the major challenge ahead. Of course, no matter the outcome, both Newmarket and Kilbrin will continue their journey into the county championship over the next few weeks.

However a divisional title remains a prestigious honour, that typified in the previous 76 stagings where great rivalries developed and new pairings created. Look no further than the 2018 staging, Dromtariffe adding a new name to the roll of honour when overcoming Newmarket in the presence of a full house at Freemount.

Newmarket return to their second consecutive decider having faltered to Dromtariffe last season. It dates back to 1979 since Newmarket last sampled outright glory, the first surfaced in 1934, the start of a four in-a-row with three consecutive victories enjoyed between 1946-48 and 1974-76.

Newmarket’s last divisional crown dates back to 1979 following a win over Tullylease with subsequent runner up placings earned to Lismire (1985) and Dromtariffe (2018).

From the current campaign, Newmarket shrugged off a determined challenge from Banteer in a closely contested tussle. The verdict remained in doubt right up to the latter stages prior to Newmarket chalking up telling scores to claim victory.

That pitted Newmarket against the reigning holders Dromtariffe where Newmarket bounced back from the disappointment of last season to claim a deserved four point triumph by embracing the challenge with confidence and conviction.

The Newmarket line up sees Darragh Kearney between the posts, in defence, Aidan Browne, Kevin O’Sullivan, Paudie Allen and Michael Cottrell are capable of fully marshalling the unit.

Cork Under 20 footballer Seán Meehan will keep his fingers crossed of coming into this game free of injury after helping Kiskeam against Ballincollig in the County SFC, expected to line up with Alan Ryan at midfield.

In attack, Donal Hannon is the main marksman with Conor O’Keeffe and Barry O’Connor capable of finding the range.

Kilbrin took their initial championship title in 1978 on accounting for Tullylease, a number of meetings with Banteer followed, Kilbrin emerging best in 1989, 1992 and 1999.

Subsequently, Kilbrin followed up to better Millstreet (04), Tullylease (07/13) Freemount (11) and Banteer (12/14/16) to complete a tally of eleven outright titles before Banteer ended a dismal record to end some painful days to better Kilbrin in their last divisional final appearance two years ago.

Kilbrin’s opening round victory surfaced over Millstreet, staging a superb comeback to erase a ten point deficit. A four month wait to the semi-final and a depleted side saw Kilbrin as outsiders against Banteer yet they clearly possessed a huge desire to carve out a worthy victory.

Unfortunately, Kilbrin may be down two additional players from the semi final yet they will be heartened by a determined showing. Keeper Eamon O’Riordan performed exceptionally well in the semi final, in front of him, Cillian Buttimer, Thomas O’Reilly, Michael Buckley and Con Carroll will wear the mantle of responsibility in defence, Wesley Corkery will graft at midfield with Stephen O’Reilly ‘s accuracy key in attack, well supported by Shane Crowley, William Heffernan and Niall Field.

Sunday is judgement day for both Kilbrin and Newmarket, the expectations are for a terrific battle lays in prospect. Its well versed, Kilbrin are understrength but rest assured, they will have a right cut at this one in their efforts to add to their five titles won already this decade.

Newmarket had time to devote time and work on the disappointment from last season. Maybe that loss will carry extra motivation to emerge from a fascinating duel and end one of the great famines in Duhallow hurling with the magnificent John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup on offer as prize.