PREVIEWS: Massive weekend of club hurling throws up fascinating ties

Saturday, September 24:

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter-Finals

Cashel King Cormacs V Burgess in Borris-Ileigh 2.00

Cashel have picked up some very good form since their first round struggles against Clonakenny, with some impressive performances over Portroe and Carrick Swans. Ger Browne has stepped up big time, while Ross Bonnar, Devon Ryan, and Nathan Ryan have been playing well.

Burgess resurrected their year in the final round group win over St Marys, and a few purple patches against Clonakenny in the stadium gave them a well deserved spot in the last eight, but if they are to upset Cashel here, they will need a more consistent 60 minutes to do so.

Verdict: Cashel King Cormacs

Gortnahoe Glengoole V Portroe in Borris-Ileigh 3.45

Gortnahoe are on a fantastic run of form at the moment, but they are coming up against a very sticky and difficult challenge in the form of Portroe this weekend.

The mid men have been the surprise package of the championship, and with Keane Hayes and Ronan Teehan in attack, they have two forwards with real potency. 

Portroe are a team who thrive in tight matches and knockout hurling is made for their mentality, and they have players in brilliant form themselves with AJ Willis and Ruadhan Mulrooney scoring heavily from play, while Kevin O’Halloran has been top quality in midfield.

I rarely back against Portroe in a tight match, so they might just squeeze through here.

Verdict: Portroe

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Relegation Semi-Final

Kiladangan V Newport in Dolla 2.30

An all north affair in the first of these relegation semi’s sees Kiladangan fighting for their life against Newport.

Kiladangan have been up and down this year, with their early season form being tempered by the unavailability of some players in the first team, but the return of Ruairi Gleeson against Silvermines the last day was a big addition and they came very close to a win.

Newport were poor themselves in the defeat to Sean Treacys in Semple Stadium a few weeks ago, and a late salvo of goals couldn’t salvage their season in a match where they were second best all day, so this is far from a foregone conclusion.

You can expect to see Conor O’Mahony from the throw in here, and his influence should inspire the others around him to up their game to do the business.

Verdict: Newport

Sunday, September 25:

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter-Finals

Roscrea V Thurles Sarsfields in Toomevara 1.00

Roscrea come into this one as firm favourites after a solid group campaign in their first year at this level. The form of Jason Gilmartin, Shane Fletcher, and Darragh Tynan has been a springboard for them, and with Alan Tynan getting sharper, they look the real deal.

Nobody should underestimate this Thurles team though, and if they get their tails up early they will take real beating in this one.

Verdict: Roscrea

St Marys v Silvermines in Holycross 1.00

St Marys had the luxury of resting players in their last round game against Burgess, and have impressed so far.

They have a nice blend of youth and experience and are facing a Jason Forde led Silvermines team, who have had to dig deep at various stages. 

You would imagine that Marys will deploy Seamus Kennedy to tag Forde, and if he does curtail the prolific forward, the Clonmel team should bring home the win.

Verdict: St Marys

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Relegation Semi-Finals

Ballina V Carrick Swans in The Ragg 1.00

A position neither of these sides would have felt they would be in at the start of the year, yet here they face off to stay in the grade for next year. 

Ballina have been a coming team in Tipperary for some years now, but they still seem to be struggling to bring through the underage talent they have, while also getting the most out of their main players.

Swans, on the other hand, are in the middle of a dismal year, and despite coming so close against Silvermines in the preliminary round, they will be wary of it getting worse, especially without Gavin O’Halloran.

Verdict: Carrick Swans