Kilkenny SHC- Mullinavat and Thomastown chase coveted semi-final spots

Mullinavat and Thomastown will both go into this weekend’s championship quarter-finals knowing that a rare place in the top four of Kilkenny hurling is at stake.

The two sides only met a few weeks ago in the league shield final where Mullinavat came out on top but the result of that game will be very much forgotten when they make their championship bow.

In saying that, the shield success rare silverware for Mullinavat who are enjoying a very productive season so far.

“There’s no doubt that we are one of the smaller clubs in terms of playing pool and numbers but we do punch above our weight,” Mullinavat’s Ian Duggan said when speaking of the launch of the championship a few weeks ago.

“We secured our status at senior a few weeks ago and that was absolutely not our only ambition for the season but it’s still an important monkey off the back.

“There are a few teams in senior that have that as their number one goal before going on with their championship ambitions.”

The classy defender also outlined what a tight knit group the South Kilkenny club has at the moment.

“We’ve a core group of players that we’ve had for nearly the last 10 or 12 years and we’ve been lucky to keep them all together.

“One or two have gone away, like some other clubs, but we haven’t had any mass emigration from a players point of view so we are very lucky in that regard.”

Erin’s Own await on Sunday and Mullinavat are keen to seize the opportunity in front of them.

“We’re hopeful of giving the championship a good crack and we have to be optimistic.

“Whoever you draw, there are no easy games so we will just give it our best shot.”

In sharp contrast to Mullinavat who have been hugely competitive in the senior grade over the last decade, this weekend will see Thomastown have their first senior championship clash in many a year on Saturday.

The defending All-Ireland intermediate champions are looking to make the most of the opportunity.

“We struggled for a couple of years to get out of intermediate but we are up at senior now and we are enjoying it,” said team captain Jay Burke.

“The first three rounds in the league went very well for us but we just have to put that behind us now.”

Noel Doherty’s side have taken the step up to the top tier in their stride and their arrival at this level of hurling is well overdue after going close to intermediate glory a number of times before the breakthrough.

“The games are a lot faster and a lot more physical but the standards amongst our group have came up a lot too and lads seem to be enjoying it,” said Burke.

“It’s a big challenge but we are embracing it.”

Thomastown face Shamrocks in a big derby clash this weekend and for Burke, it’s just about getting a performance.

“We are taking it one game at a time and that’s what we said we’d do from the start. There’s no ‘how do you think we’d fare out’ - it’s more going out and looking for a performance and wins would follow after that.

“We didn’t really think too far ahead either but certainly pleased where we are now.”