PREVIEW: Round two games in Tipp hurling championship crucial to several clubs

GROUP 1

Toomevara V Drom & Inch

This game has all the makings of a do-or-die clash after defeats for both sides in the opening rounds.

Toomevara put in their worst 30 minutes in the first half against Borris-Ileigh, which ultimately cost them despite a late fightback.

Jake Ryan tore his hamstring in that game and will be a big loss to their defence, but they will be hoping that the improvement in the second half will carry into this game.

Drom were equally lacking in their first half loss to Kilruane MacDonaghs, conceding soft goals but they should have Jamie Moloney and three from the start this time, while Maidhc Fitzpatrick could also feature from throw-in. This is a derby and with so much at stake, there will be big tension.

Verdict: Toomevara

Borris-Ileigh V Kilruane MacDonaghs

Surprise winners to many considering the form going into their first rounds, but these two teams know how to get the job done when they are up against it.

Kilruane were magnificent in large spells against Drom and the return of Willie Cleary and Aaron Morgan made a huge difference, with Kian O’Kelly leading the way up front.

Borris built their win around defensive solidity with Dan McCormack and Colm Boyle impressive, but they will be shorn of a goal threat that they cannot do without after JD Devaney received a straight red card against Toomevara.

Verdict: Kilruane MacDonaghs

Group 2

Moycarkey Borris V Thurles Sarsfields

Moycarkey Borris sent out a message of intent in their dismantling of Roscrea in the opening round, and it looks like they are starting to come of age.

You would have expected them to struggle slightly in scoring terms without Kieran Morris in situ in round one, but they were prolific and hell-bent on goals with a massive tally of 3-25.

Thurles Sarsfields mixed the good with the bad as they seemed to take their foot off the pedal in the final quarter against Mullinahone, but they seem to be coming to the boil gradually and will be the favourites for this one.

Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields

Roscrea V Mullinahone

Mullinahone were very competitive against Thurles Sarsfields in round two and look to be organised really well for this year’s campaign.

While they're lacking a big scoring threat up top, they are getting scores from further out the field from Eanna Ryan and Martin Kehoe and that will be a big outlet for them again this time around.

Roscrea put in their worst performance at the senior grade in a long time, and recent turmoil in camp seems to have dislodged the confidence gained from a good year in 2023.

Verdict: Mullinahone

Group 3

Lorrha V Nenagh Éire Óg

A repeat of the north championship quarter-final last month, Lorrha will be hoping they can make more of a game of it this time around.

They were competitive for three-quarters of the loss to Loughmore Castleiney in the first round but faded somewhat coming toward the end of the game which saw the Mid champions cruise home.

Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher could be available for the first time this year though and it should improve their efforts. Nenagh Éire Óg are flattering to deceive once again as they lost out against the head to Holycross the last day.

They just can’t seem to get it right, and they badly missed young Sam O’Farrell in the middle of the loss. Jake Morris continues to fire though and with him in full flight, they should get back on the horse here.

Verdict: Nenagh Éire Óg

Loughmore Castleiney V Holycross Ballycahill

This is shaping up to be the tie of the round with the Mid sides in rude health ahead of this round two clash. Loughmore probably let Lorrha stay in the game for longer than they would have liked, but again, they showed the finishing pedigree to run out easy winners.

Holycross produced a mini upset in beating Nenagh but with the young talent at their disposal, they look to be a live threat even at this stage of their lifespan.

However, Loughmore have the know-how and experience to get the wins and it should hold through here again; if only just.

Verdict: Loughmore

Group 4

Kiladangan V Templederry Kenyons

Kiladangan somehow managed to come out of round one with points in the bag and it is solely down to the experience built up in the last decade. They were second-best for nearly all of the first-round clash with Clonoulty but used every inch of game smarts to snatch a draw.

They have in the past had slow starts like this in the group so it will not worry them in the slightest. Templederry Kenyons had an awful opening day, receiving a massive beating from JK Brackens in what was a horror show for them.

They made a good game of the North semi-final between the teams last month, but you would fear for them.

Verdict: Kiladangan

Clonoulty Rossmore V JK Brackens

JK Brackens put in a near-complete performance in victory in the opening round. They were goal-hungry from an early stage and had a clinical nature to their game which is a huge boost to them; and all this without Andrew Ormond in the ranks.

Clonoulty will be disgusted with themselves after letting an eight-point lead slip late on against Kiladangan, but that aside, they do look impressive and it should make for a quality contest here with a top spot in sight for the victors come full-time.

Verdict: Clonoulty