Relegation beckons for losing side
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Hurling Relegation Final
Glenmore vs James Stephens
Tomorrow, 2pm, Thomastown
Referee: Owen Beehan
There are no more second chances. This is the final roll of the dice for both Glenmore and James Stephens as they meet to see who will keep their seat at the top table of hurling on Noreside. Thomastown will host this clash tomorrow (throw-in 2pm) and it’s hard to predict the outcome, given the season to date for both teams.
I wouldn’t imagine that Brian Cody envisaged managing his club in this season’s relegation decider when The Village began their league campaign in early August. Their first action of the season saw them tackle senior new boys, Thomastown and they went down to a 6-point defeat, losing both Niall Brassil and Niall Delaney to red cards in Bennettsbridge. Round two saw Cody take his charges to St John’s Park to face Dicksboro, but again they came up short, this time by two points, again, the city side didn’t raise a green flag, while their opponents did so, twice.
When you lose two on the bounce, you don’t want to make it three, but that’s exactly what happened to James Stephens in the third round of games. Danesfort was the setting as Bennettsbridge squared up to The Village, and while Cody’s side started well, the loss of the influential Niall Brassil to an ever-growing injury list saw them concede now fewer than five majors and eighteen points to Tim Dooley’s outfit. Round four saw The Sash inflict another defeat on James Stephens, and this defeat probably exposed the problems for the manager. Cian Kenny and Luke Scanlon helped their side into an eight-point lead at the break, but capitulated in the second period to fall to a 6-point defeat. The Village did manage to record a win, in their final group game, oddly, against tomorrow’s opponents Glenmore.
With just the one win from five games, The Village found themselves playing Shamrocks Ballyhale in the relegation semi-final and while they put in possibly their best shift of the season to date, shipping another four majors in a 9-point defeat.
Tomorrow’s opponents, Glenmore know that they will have to put in an all-round performance, and possibly a season’s best to avoid slipping out of the senior ranks. They got off to a bad start, when losing to Bennettsbridge at Inistioge, losing out by 16-points. Worryingly, the Páirc na Ratha side again looked overwhelmed in round 2, going down by 8 points in a loss to Tullaroan who bagged four majors in their win. Round three saw Glenmore get off the mark, claiming a point in a hard-earned draw with Dicksboro. They built on this with a surprising win over Thomastown next time out, a much-improved performance saw them get over the line by the bare minimum in Piltown. They finished off the group stage with a five-point loss against The Village, so they will know what lies ahead in Thomastown tomorrow.
Finishing second bottom of the group, meant Glenmore took on Erin’s Own in a relegation semi-final at Pairc Sheamuis Stiophan. While many predicted it would be the Comer men that would slip away this season, they stood tall and ran up an impressive 5-14 to defy the odds to condemn Glenmore to the relegation decider.
The loss of intercounty goalkeeper Eoin Murphy was a big blow to Maurice Aylward’s side and the manager will look to the other members of Clan Murphy, Alan and Shane to lead the way tomorrow. The likes of Ian Byrne, Billy Reid and Ger Aylward will be key to any chances Glenmore have of fighting off the dreaded drop and these players will need to deliver in Thomastown.
The Village have been heavily reliant on Cian Kenny’s contributions during their disappointing campaign, and the All-Star nominee will be keen to rise to the occasion once again in this crunch decider. Injuries have proved really disruptive for Brian Cody’s outfit and he will hope to have some of his key players available this weekend. Luke Scanlon, Eoin Guilfoyle and Niall Mullins will need to be on top of their game and can trouble Glenmore, while goalkeeper Gavin Costigan will look to stand firm against a lively opposition attack.
This clash is massive, the stakes seriously high. Both Glenmore and James Stephens demand senior status, only one can prevail. Thomastown could be set for a real battle tomorrow.
