Kiskeam and Castlemagner enter football championship

THE Castlecor Potatoes Duhallo w JAFC returns with two games down for decision on Sunday with Kiskeam and Castlemagner making their seasonal debut in the campaign. With the format involving two groups, the early pacesetters Boherbue and Cullen are not involved yet there will be interest on the fortunes of the other contenders.

A Kiskeam second string face into a clash against Lyre in Dromtariffe where the latter will need to improve significantly from a defeat to defending holders Boherbue. Its fair to say, not the most memorable of outings by a Lyre team, from a repeat to the previous season’s decider, a much changed Lyre were unable to cope with the relentless power and energy unleashed by Boherbue.

This is an opportunity for Lyre to restore confidence as they look to the guidance of Martin Kearney, Kevin Tarrant, Paudie Ryan and Cathal O’Donoughue. For Kiskeam’s part, two outings by their senior side will impact on numbers yet players such as Padraig O’Leary, Sean Lenihan, Mauice Casey and Denis Hallissey bring experience to the table.

Many of the Lyre players have concentrated on hurling over the past two weeks and a win against Castlmagner will instill confidence. No doubt many of the Kiskeam side are part of their senior panel and they stand a decent chance of obtaining a victory.

Likewise hurling commitments have limited Castlemagner preparations for their encounter with Knocknagree at Ballydesmond. Having been involved in back to back hurling games, Castle’s focus on the big ball is just seven days as they look to Donal Gayer, Danny Linehan, Seán Falvey and Timmy Murphy for encouragement.

Knocknagree have availed of an outing only to come up short to Cullen in a close encounter. At the outset, Knocknagree’s second team looked well equipped to create a surprise, beginning at a whirlwind pace with Neil O’Connor, Tom Cooper, Tadgh Long and John O’Keeffe delivering points on the board thanks to a series of productive attacks.

However the concession of a goal against the run of play switched the initiative and hard though, Knocknagree battled to save the day, they simply couldn’t muster up the required response to gain a return.

On current form and preparation, Knocknagree look better equipped to succeed yet Castlemagner will be encouraged by a brave showing against Banteer in hurling.