Kanturk and Sarsfields renew rivalry in County Hurling League

SARSFIELDS begin the defence of their Red FM County Senior Hurling League Division 1 title on a visit to Kanturk on Sunday.

The clash revives memories of an exciting clash between the sides in last summer County Premier SHC opener that ended in a draw in Fermoy.

Ultimately it took a late Daniel Kearney point for Sarsfields to pull off the great escape, fortunes fluctuated over the course of the hour, hot favourites Sars’ relieved to escape with a share of the spoils. Not for the first time, Kanturk possessed a super display of commitment to come ever so close to pulling off a shock.

Hurling furiously with a display that bristled with energy and determination, Kanturk upset the rhythm of the then Division 1 League winners Sarsfields. Indeed if Kanturk had converted a couple of late efforts, they would have enjoyed a win.

However, as the contest ebbed and flowed, the teams deadlocked on 13 occasions, a draw emerged a fair result. Of course the outcome threw a competitive group wide open, Sars improved sufficiently against reigning county champions St Finbarrs and Newtownshandrum to go all the way and clinch the outright championship.

For their part, Kanturk were left empty handed but reserved another big performance when relegating Glen Rovers in a playoff. A new season beckons, a first day out, expect a few cobwebs yet the outcome of Sars and Kanturk will deliver on both sides current form.

Hurling League due to commence

Weather permitting, the Twohigs Supervalu Duhallow Junior A Hurling League will commence this weekend. Much of the football programme went ahead last week but inclement weather may impact with pitch inspections due ahead of the weekend.

First into the fray are Dromtariffe and Castlemagner, Dromtariffe have enjoyed three championship titles todate in the current decade though their lone league accolade surfaced in 2019. For Castlemagner part, it goes back to 1960 for divisional league honours.

Freemount face up to Millstreet, Freemount won the County Junior B Hurling Championship in 2022, their previous Duhallow JAHL was all of 20 years ago in 2004. Millstreet’s best days have surfaced in the league on outright wins in 2007 and 2021.

Newmarket are the reigning kingpins in both league and championship, possessing a strong panel, they will be difficult to dislodge. This weekend opponents Kilbrin won five league titles in the last decade, they will be keen to better a couple of runner up places in recent years.