Preview- Croke Park opportunity looks to be within reach for Danesfort

It’s the final weekend before Christmas but the top level hurling shows no sign of stopping as Danesfort go in search of a place in the All-Ireland intermediate club final in the new year.

The Kilkenny champions will be in unfamiliar white colours when they take to the field in O’Moore Park in Portlaoise on Sunday for a 2pm start as their opponents Upperchurch Drombane also don the famous black and amber - after a toss between the clubs, the Tipperary side have earned the right to remain in their traditional home strip.

Danesfort will go into the last four clash on a real crest of a wave as they look to return to an All-Ireland decider having previously competed in a final at the junior grade in 2007 where they beat Clooney Gaels of Antrim.

The ’Fort won out on that occasion on a 2-16 to 2-8 scoreline with Richie Hogan proving to be the star of the show with current panelists Paul Murphy, Robbie Walsh and Paddy Hogan also involved 18 years ago.

Kilkenny clubs reaching this level of the competition is no surprise but in contrast Upperchurch Drombane will become the first side from Tipperary to compete in an All-Ireland intermediate semi-final since 2012 when Silvermines reigned supreme in the Munster campaign.

Upperchurch were relegated from the senior grade in the Premier County two years ago but they are now back in the top tier after beating Carrick Swans in the Premier Intermediate Final last October.

The Mid-Tipperary outfit ran out six point winners on the day with Paddy Phelan and Paul Shanahan netting goals in the victory.
The side in black and amber have since gone on a successful provincial run with a pair of wins over Ballinhassig (Cork) and O’Callaghan’s Mills (Clare).

The win over Ballinhassig was significant as Cork clubs have been a traditional powerhouse in this grade but goals from Pat Ryan and Conor Fahey got the Tipperary side over the line in their maiden outing in the province.

While the final scoreline of 3-20 to 0-15 over O’Callaghan Mills in the Munster final suggests everything went their way, the reality is that it was a contest full of controversy.

The Clare champions ended up finishing the game with 12 players, with Jacob Loughnane and Conor Henry being dismissed in the same incident so naturally Upperchurch really benefitted in that regard as they claimed victory in the Gaelic Grounds.

All three goals came along in the final 10 minutes so it’s hard to fully gauge the positive and negatives on Danesfort’s opposition, but coming through the Munster side of the draw means they are bound to cause more than a threat or two.

What Danesfort do have in their favour, however, is a huge bank of experience at county level in their ranks in contrast to their opposition.

While the likes of Luke Shanahan, Pat Ryan and Paddy Phelan have represented Tipp on various underage sides, you’ve to go back to 2019 and their last senior star in James Barry.

Like Barry, Richie Hogan and Paul Murphy have represented Kilkenny with huge distinction in the past and with a new talented crop coming through the ranks, Danesfort look like they have created an almost perfect mix.

With teenagers Fionn Mahony and Aidan Cowley adding a burst of youthful energy and the likes of Sam Hayes, Anthony Ireland Wall, Daire O’Neill, Des Dunne and Cathal Kearney continuing to excel, Adrian Burke’s men will go into Sunday’s encounter with more than a favourite’s chance.

The Leinster final victory over Ratoath will have given the Kilkenny side huge belief and confidence that they can go all the way in the All-Ireland series.

After rather routine victories at the expense of St Mogue’s Fethard (Wexford) and Commercials (Dublin), the clash with the side from the Royal County very much tested the character as they came from six points down to claim a 2-15 to 0-12 success on the scoreboard. The win has garnered plenty of attention after Danesfort talisman Paul Murphy won the trophy that was named after his late father Tommy, but what may have been a little overlooked is how well the club played in the final few minutes.

With Richie Hogan returning for his first piece of action of the year as he netted one of two second half goals, Danesfort certainly appear to have plenty of strength in depth in their ranks.

The team has built a notoriously strong base at the back with Paddy Hogan in goal, captain Diarmaid Phelan at full-back and Paul Murphy donning number six in a classy and experienced central line.

Further up the likes Cathal Kearney and Cathal O’Neill are in a flourishing midfield while the twin threat of Ireland-Wall and Mahony inside is capable of causing any team huge trouble.

Add in Richie Hogan’s influence and Danesfort have many things in their favour.

The weather and pitch conditions come into it, but if they hit their groove, the Kilkenny side have enough to advance.