Worthy challengers line up to test defending champs Newmarket
John Tarrant considers what will be a fiercely contested Duhallow JAHC when the GAA action starts up again after the Coronavirus crisis
AFTER winning the E Tarrant & Sons Skoda Duhallow Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship for the first time in 40 years, the big question surrounding reigning holders Newmarket is: can they further elevate their game to the level required to land back to back divisional titles and move up a notch or two from their decent showings in the county championship from the past two seasons?
A group stage is the agreed format this season within Duhallow, but with ongoing training and game restrictions extended due to the Coronavirus Covidcrisis, there may well be variations to the planned schedules in championships across the board.
That said, they may not be too much of a need to alter the Duhallow JAHC. Seven teams are entered with Banteer, Castlemagner, Kanturk and Kilbrin occupying Group 1, that leaves Dromtariffe, Millstreet and Newmarket battling out in a competitive Group 2.
Last season, Newmarket returned to their second consecutive decider, having been defeated by history makers Dromtariffe in 2018. Truth be told on that occasion, Newmarket had little complaints as their overall performance levels were well down on what supporters had expected.
For Newmarket, the need for patience was paramount yet they responded to erase four decades of disappointment. First time out in 2019, Newmarket shrugged off a determined challenge from Banteer in a closely contested tussle.
That set up a semi-final and a meeting against familiar rivals Dromtariffe, on this occasion, Newmarket looked by far the better side, showing more composure and crucially much better scoring options.
Victory set up an appealing clash against Kilbrin in the decider at Tullylease where Newmarket were men on a definite mission from start to finish, the haunting memory of the previous season’s defeat by Dromtariffe provided Newmarket with a motivation that wasn’t going to be denied.
From a competent all round team performance, Newmarket’s movement was positive, their link play impressive and the work-rate helped dominate the key sectors. A perfect start, a long delivery from Paddy Browne found man of the match Conor O’Keeffe to billow the Kilbrin net.
In fairness, Kilbrin refused to wilt, goals in quick succession trimmed the deficit to five points.
Newmarket weathered the storm on run in with main marksmanship Donal Hannon on target from play and placed balls allowing team captain Alan Ryan lift the John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup.
With silverware secured, Newmarket head into a new decade in an optimistic mindset. Decent outings in the past two county championships allowed Newmarket compete and provide stern tests for ultimate county and provincial winners Cloughduv and Russell Rovers.
The challenge in 2020 is for Newmarket under the guidance of manager Deirdre O’Reilly is to defend their divisional title against creditable opponents before the chance of creating further inroads in the county beckon. Group 2 features familiar opponents in Dromtariffe, hoping to repeat a glorious 2018 when they landed a first time title.
Operating in A ranks for only the second season, Dromtariffe enjoyed a special day to add a new name to the roll of honour.
Here Newmarket were at the receiving end against a sharper and better balanced side where Dromtariffe emerged far stronger in all departments and hurled with a greater fervour.
The burden of champions placed a burden on Dromtariffe’s shoulders last season. Not totally a disappointment, Dromtariffe landed a league title and with John Linehan and John Howard back at the helm, expect a response from Dromtariffe.
Also in the Group is Millstreet, one of the great enigmas from this championship over the years,
without a title since 1962. During the intervening seasons, Millstreet have come close on a few occasions, but inexperience has proved their downfall, and despite credible showings over that time they have suffered final losses to Meelin (1996), Kilbrin (2004) and Freemount (2005).
Should the current Group pairings stand, Millstreet face a tough task to better either Dromtariffe or Newmarket yet Tony McCaul and Michael Walsh will have their charged well versed.
Kilbrin came within touching distance of mounting a successful comeback against Newmarket last season but failed to sustain their effort during the latter stages. The outcome repeated a defeat from 2017 to Banteer, Kilbrin failed to raise to the consistency required from a side that has dominated this championship for the greater part of the last decade.
Taking five titles confirmed their well-being for a long spell though emigration, injuries and unavailability didn’t help their cause during 2019. Plenty of positives for a new campaign, operating on the sideline is coach John Mortell, Kibrin keen to return to winning ways in
Group 1.
Banteer attempt to revive memories of their previous victory from 2017, bringing an end to a miserable record, having lost all six previous finals against Kilbrin, crucially, Banteer battled tenaciously all through an all important hour to secure a spirited triumph and end an eleven year barren run to claim the silverware. A number of long serving stalwarts have retired as Seán Barrett takes up a dual role when the action returns.
Castlemagner enjoyed a phenomenal season in 2015 where they bridged 55 years to regain a title for a proud gaelic games base. Not the best of innings in the subsequent campaigns yet with numbers increasing amongst a young squad, expectations are Castle’ will be a stronger identity this season with plenty of encouragement from new coach Jonathan O’Callaghan.
Also competing in Junior A ranks are Kanturk, the club’s second team have tested opponents in the past. Once Kanturk get some momentum going, they are a match for any side, hardly surprising, many of their starting side are coming from underage success and availing of the experience of playing in the county senior league.
Regarding a starting date, the Duhallow Board will review its programme of fixtures in line with Croke Park directives, which themselves will be influenced by Government and HSE regulations.
From the involvement of seven teams in the JAHC, it’s fair to say there will be no shortage of optimism amongst participating sides once a delayed campaign is given the green light.