Injuries mount as Kilcormac-Killoughey enter Leinster club campaign with optimism

WITH the Offaly Senior Hurling Championship in the bag, Kilcormac-Killoughey will be very aware of the opportunity that awaits them now but they face a very tricky opener to their Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship campaign next Sunday.

A trip to Wexford to face the local champions is never an easy assignment and with injury problems mounting, it represents a real banana skin for Kilcormac-Killoughey.

Gorey side Naomh Eanna have had a long wait since they captured their second Wexford Senior Hurling Championship title way back in August, defeating Oylegate-Glenbrien in the final.

That break could work either way for them. They could be mad for action and explode in Wexford Park or they could be sluggish, stuck to the ground and not able to get going- they were well beaten by flying Waterford side Ballygunnar in a recent challenge. It is likely to be somewhere in the middle of these two extremes but Kilcormac-Killoughey will be very much aware of how difficult it will be to survive this one.

Despite being away from home, Kilcormac-Killoughey are the favourites but they won't be taking one bit of notice of what the bookmakers or anyone else says.

Firstly Naomh Eanna represent very dangerous opposition. They have an outstanding attacker in Conor McDonald and their team also includes midfielder, Charlie McGuckin, a son of Offaly 1994 All-Ireland medal winners corner back, Shane McGuckin – the St Rynagh's man has been a vet based in Gorey since the early 1990s and transferred to the local club in 1998, winning an Intermediate Hurling Championship medal with Naomh Eanna in 2001.

His son has since graduated to the Wexford senior hurling panel and his performance will have a big bearing on the outcome, especially as K-K will be missing a midfielder in Cathal Kiely – Kiely was hospitalised after their county final demolition of Shinrone following a late belt and his physicality and athleticism will be really missed from the midfield zone.

K-K manager Shane Hand has other problems. Panel member Peter Geraghty is definitely out and while his role was as an impact sub in the semi-final and final, his experience and ability to pick off scores is a big loss.

Wing back Enda Grogan and full forward James Gorman are also on the doubtful list as is emerging defender Ter Guinan – Guinan didn't play in the Offaly championship but would be an obvious solution if Grogan is ruled out.

K-K will be doing everything in their power to get Grogan and Gorman fit. They are two of their most experienced players and at this time of year, that is invaluable.

There is a real opportunity for K-K to make progress. They were extremely impressive in the county final win over Shinrone but have really dominated the championship from start to finish.

They have a couple of players in the Winter of their long career and they won't get many more opportunities to win a Leinster club medal while they have some very exciting young talent emerging.

Brecon Kavanagh and Adam Screeney brought a lot to the table for K-K in their first year on the senior team this year and they have a handful of others ready to make that jump next year. It is a very exciting time for Kilcormac-Killoughey and the future promises many riches but you just never know what way things will work out.

Opportunities have to be taken as they arise and while K-K will not be looking once inch further than Sunday's game, they have the potential to be playing for a few weeks yet. Conditions at this time of year, heavier pitches and the possibility of rainfall and strong winds means that games are a lottery.

That is very much the case with this one. We just don't know what way the ball will roll for Kilcormac-Killoughey. They could lose on Sunday or they could add a second provincial title to their collection – with O'Loughlin Gaels having ended Ballyhale Shamrocks' reign in Kilkenny, a few sides will now be dreaming of glory.

Naomh Eanna are among those sides and K-K will be approaching them with complete respect. It will be fiercely fought and hard won but K-K certainly have the players and the form to book a place in the semi-finals against the winners of O'Loughlin Gaels and Carlow's Mount Leinster Rangers.