Quarter final encounters down for decision on Noreside
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Finals
UPMC Nowlan Park will host this weekend’s last eight clashes in the St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship with all sides knowing that this could be their ‘last dance’ for the club season. Unfortunately for them, Tullaroan and Erins Own will be interested spectators having departed the scene at the first-round stage while Graigue Ballycallan and Lisdowney’s focus will be on the relegation final that they will contest next weekend.
When the draw was made for the quarter final games, many eyes were drawn to the clash of the current county champions Thomastown and Shamrocks Ballyhale and the meeting of Glenmore and Dicksboro. The remaining two fixtures will see Mullinavat face-off against Bennettsbridge while league champions O’Loughlin Gaels take on Clara. With all games at the headquarters of Kilkenny hurling, big crowds will be expected in the Marble City over the next two days.
Glenmore vs Dicksboro
These two sides get the last eight action underway tomorrow, and it’s a game that could go either way. If you go on group stage form, it would be hard to see past Seamy Dollard’s Glenmore charges who won four of their five games, the defeat coming at the hands of The Loughs. This saw the Pairc na Ratha men qualified for the Shield Final, where they lost out on penalties to those entertaining Vegas Boys. There is previous form between the quarterfinalists this season. The sides met in Mooncoin and for long periods of that game, the Palmerstown outfit looked destined to claim victory, but the men from the Glen snatched the points a late Robbie Fitzgerald score. As usual Clan Murphy’s influence on the team will be crucial, as will the performances of Ian Byrne, Billy Reid and Cathal Beirne. Eamon Jackman’s ‘Boro side have been hampered by injury all seaon, and they will need the likes of Cillian Hackett, Padraic Moylan, Timmy Clifford and Cillian Buckley to stand tall.
Mullinavat vs Bennettsbridge
Having finished the group stages in second place, behind Thomastown, Colm O’Byrne’s Mullinavat then defended their Shield title with an exciting win on penalties, and in true Vegas Boys style, they won’t fear the ‘Bridge tomorrow. Captain Brian Phelan has been in superb form, along with Ian Byrne, while Tom Aylward, John Walsh and Ger Malone will give all for the Vat. Brian Lannon will have prepared his Bridge team to expect the usual swashbuckling challenge from Mullinavat. There’s no doubting that having the trio of Blanchfield’s available will be a huge boost to the hoops, as will the form of the impressive Hughes duo, James and Bill. Bennettsbridge half back line could be key in this encounter, while the strength from the bench may just give them the edge.
Thomastown vs Shamrocks Ballyhale
This is the one that gets the adrenaline going. Hurling fans across Noreside and beyond will have a keen interest in this fixture. The defending Tom Walsh holders taking on the 20 times Kilkenny champions in a clash fit for a final. Noel Doherty and his management team will know that this is a different Shamrocks team that they face under the guidance of Henry Shefflin. Thomastown are the only unbeaten side at senior level this season, and this is the mark of champions. Rising star, Colm Treacy has been catching the eye, while Naoise Dempsey and the Connellan’s have been hurling well. Like the Bridge, the half back line is key to much of what is good about the county champions with Eddie Donnelly in the centre, flanked by Brian Staunton and the athletic Zach Bay Hammond it’s a trio of Donnelly’s in advance of the No. 6 that have helped propel Doherty’s troops to the summit. Robbie is deadly accurate from dead balls, while Stephen and intercounty captain John spearhead the forward division.
Things appear to be improving down at Páirc Na Seamróg since the return to the helm of Henry Shefflin. Having such a legend back in charge has clearly forced the Shamrocks squad to up their game and this looks evident in the season to date. It’s not perfect by any means yet, but Henry looks to have made them more competitive and given the quality at this disposal, that could spell danger for other teams in the race for the Tom Walsh Cup. The return of Ronan Corcoran and Brian Cody brings more class and power to the line-up, while having had a full pre-season under his belt has certainly helped Joey Holden. The form of TJ Reid, Eoin Cody and Niall Shortall has been good to see, while the return from injury for Adrian Mullen could be a real ace in the pack for the nine times All-Ireland club champions. The trait of a powerful half back line is true in South Kilkenny also, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran and Evan Shefflin providing serious quality for the Holden Plant Rentals sponsored side.
O’Loughlin Gaels vs Clara
The last of the quarter-final action sees 2023 champions O’Loughlin Gaels take on Clara at headquarters. The maroon clad side found themselves in a relegation semifinal but battled past winless Lisdowney to set-up a ‘free hit’ against this season’s league winners. The record shows one win from 5 games for the Carlow Road based side, but that doesn’t tell the full story as they have very competitive in many games this season. Clara pushed the ‘Town all the way in Gorwan last month, losing out by just 3 points. They will definitely battle to the long whistle, but they have more than just battlers, they have quality stickmen in maroon also. Paul Cody and Chris Bolger have experience and talent to hurt many teams, while Conor Hoyne will punish indiscipline from the placed ball. The speedy U20 start Rory Glynn will cause problems for any defender, While Shane Staunton and Jack Langton will anchor the defensive spine.
Brian Hogan’s charges topped their group but lost their unbeaten record in their round 5 defeat Bennettsbridge. With the experienced former skipper, Mark Bergin back in the fold and former Kerry star Fionan Mackessy impressing, The St Jonh’s Park side will be keen to get their hands back on the Tom Walsh Cup. Messrs, Lawlor, Butler Deegan and Molloy are regular fixtures in the Kilkenny stripes and possess the talent to trouble most sides, but it is one of the younger players, Luke Hogan that has been in sensational form this season, bagging goals galore and causing chaos in opposition defences. So far, the absence of injured star, David Fogarty hasn’t hampered the Loughs too badly, as the strength in depth gives the new U20 Kilkenny assistant manager plenty of options. The likes of Conor Kelly, Cian Loy and Jack Nolan will have big parts to play if Brian Hogan’s side are to claim another senior county title, while Owen Wall is the perfect foil for target man Luke Hogan.
