Who will stay standing?
By Shane Brophy
SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday 24th September
Group 3 - JK Brackens v Loughmore-Castleiney in Semple Stadium @ 7.30pm.
A winner takes all clash which only adds greater spice to this local rivalry where the sides played out a draw in last Saturday's senior football championship clash. A draw will be enough for Loughmore-Castleiney to progress on score difference and on paper they look to have most of the aces, and have been added to by the return of Liam McGrath who is back after two years away. Loughmore-Castleiney hammered Brackens in the Mid championship in August but this will be much closer, but the result may not be different. Verdict: Loughmore-Castleiney
Saturday 25th September
Group 1 - Drom & Inch v Eire Og Annacarty in Cashel @ 5.00pm.
It is win or bust for Drom & Inch after successive defeats. However, a win coupled with a thirteen point swing in terms of their current score difference with Upperchurch/Drombane would see Drom advance to the quarter finals.
Eire Og Annacarty have a massive opportunity of their own to get back to a quarter final where a draw might be good enough and their never say die spirit, could be enough to see them get the results they need to go in their favour. Verdict: Draw
Group 1 - Thurles Sarsfields v Upperchurch/Drombane in Templemore @ 5.00pm.
Thurles Sarsfields will be expected to secure the point they need to confirm their place in the last eight as group winners and on form they should get both on offer. However, Upperchurch won't fear the challenge and know that they will need to win to stay in the championship, and depending on score difference, a narrow defeat might be enough so expect them to be playing right to the end. Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields
Group 2 - Clonoulty/Rossmore v Holycross/Ballycahill in Boherlahan @ 1.30pm.
Separate by the Clodiagh river, these two are great rivals, even if they only meet occasionally. They drew in the group stage last year and another close encounter is expected where Clonoulty/Rossmore can take a big step towards qualifying with a win. However, desite losing their first two games, Holycross can still make the quarter finals if they win by four points, coupled with a defeat for Mullinahone. Verdict: Clonoulty/Rossmore
Group 2 - Mullinahone v Toomevara in Semple Stadium @ 1.30pm.
With two wins from two, Toomevara should be going into this game relatively comfortable, however, they know a five point defeat, coupled with a Clonoulty win, will see them miss out on the quarter finals. However, their performances so far have suggested they are unlikely to let the game get away from them as they take on a Mullinahone side that have plenty of experience for these games, including Eoin Kelly. Verdict: Toomevara
Sunday 26th September
Group 3 - Kiladangan v Moycarkey-Borris in Templemore @ 3.00pm.
A competitive challenge game in all but name as Kiladangan are already guaranteed as group winners and Moycarkey heading into the relegation playoffs. However, both sides will get many benefits from it, including Kiladangan who, depending on how their senior 'B' team get on, may get to blood some of those players who could be needed in the quarter finals and beyond. Verdict: Kiladangan
Group 4 - Borris-Ileigh v Nenagh Eire Og in Semple Stadium @ 3.45pm.
The tie of the round and a winner takes all affair, although a draw will do for Borris-Ileigh. Despite being North rivals, it is four years since the sides met in championship fare so they will be relatively unfamiliar with eachother, however, they will know eachothers strengths and weaknesses very well. Nenagh have been conceding heavily and will need to tighten up defensively and will hope Daire Quinn recovers from a rib injury. Borris-Ileigh will be without the suspended Tommy Ryan while Dan McCormack should be available after limping out of the defeat to Kilruane. Verdict: Borris-Ileigh
Group 4 - Kilruane MacDonaghs v Roscrea in Toomevara @ 5.00pm.
A game with nothing at stake but should still be hugely competitive. Kilruane will be without the injured Niall O'Meara who damaged ankle ligaments two weeks ago, while Cian Darcy will also be missing through suspension. Roscrea are heading for the relegation playoffs and after a largely positive showing against Nenagh last time out, would like to head there on a positive note and at full strength they might just get the win. Verdict: Roscrea
SEAMUS O RIAIN CUP
Saturday 25th September
Group 1 - Carrick Swan v Kiladangan at The Ragg @ 1.30pm.
A winner takes all affair to join Thurles Sarsfields in progressing, although a draw would do for Kiladangan. Avoiding finishing bottom was a bonus in itself for Kiladangan as they will have a third consecutive campaign to look forward to next year, but they will have eyes on going higher. However, the Swan should be buoyed following their come from behind win over Burgess. Verdict: Carrick Swan
Group 2 - Clonakenny v Newport in Nenagh @ 5.00pm.
Both sides are in the hunt to reach the quarter finals. Newport’s fate is in their own hands and a second successive win over Clonakenny would achieve it and if they repeat the level of performance against Silvermines, they should achieve it. However, Clonakenny will see this as a great chance of making the quarter finals, should they better Silvermines’ result, and they’ll need their defence to be strong against a lively Newport attack. Verdict: Newport
Group 2 - Silvermines v Templederry Kenyons in Toomevara @ 5.00pm.
Templederry are already assured a place in the quarter finals as group winners so they can afford to give their panel a run out in this encounter if they wish. However, they will be keen to keep the momentum they have generated in their last two games. They will be strongly favoured to get a win over their neighbours Silvermines who were out of sorts against Newport, but they have a chance of still making a quarter final but avoiding finishing bottom might be the more realistic of their aims and bettering Clonakenny’s result. Verdict: Templederry Kenyons
Sunday 26th September
Group 1 - Burgess v Thurles Sarsfields in Dolla @ 3.00pm.
A game with nothing at stake with Thurles already through as impressive group winners while Burgess are preparing for a relegation battle in what has been a difficult campaign, beset by injuries. Coming out of this with a positive performance will be their main aim ahead of their battle to save their O Riain Cup status. Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields
Group 3 - Ballina v Sean Treacys in Newport @ 12.00pm.
Both sides have different aims to play for. Ballina need a win to escape the relegation playoff at Sean Treacy’s expense, while a Treacy’s win could see them into a quarter final on score difference should Killenaule lose to Gortnahoe. The West sides’ form has been slightly better while Ballina again have flattered to deceive despite having a talented team. Verdict: Draw
Group 3 - Gortnahoe/Glengoole v Killenaule in Littleton @ 12.00pm.
Gortnahoe/Glengoole have been the surprise package of the championship so far as the intermediate champions have taken to the higher grade seamlessly and already through to the quarter finals, their aim here will be to top the group. This is a local derby we rarely see between two cross-divisional teams so there should be an edge to it and in the end both sides might just get the results they need. Verdict: Draw
Group 4 - Cashel King Cormacs v Lorrha in Moneygall @ 12.00pm.
After reaching the final last year, Lorrha are staring at being involved in a relegation battle after successive defeats. However, they know a five-point win over Cashel will lift them from off the trapdoor and after that, it could be enough to reach the quarter finals depending on how Portroe get on. However, the loss of Ciaran Haugh with an arm injury is a big blow, already on top of Patrick Maher. A Cashel win might not be enough for them to progress in an extremely tight group. Verdict: Cashel King Cormacs
Group 4 - St Mary's v Portroe in Borrisoleigh @ 12.00pm.
St Mary’s have been impressive with two wins from two but still need at least another point to guarantee a quarter final berth, as a defeat here, coupled with a Cashel win would see the group decided on score difference. Off the back of the win over Lorrha, Portroe will fancy their chances and have a goal threat. Verdict: St Mary’s
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Sunday 26th September
Group 1 - Borrisokane v Drom & Inch in Dolla @ 5.30pm.
A winner takes all affair although Borris need the two points, but Drom’s second team have been strong so far. Verdict: Borrisokane
Cappawhite v Moyne-Templetuohy in Clonoulty @ 5.30pm.
Moyne-Templetuohy have already qualified while Cappa are heading for relegation, bar they win the county title as West champions. Verdict: Moyne-Templetuohy
Group 2 - Ballybacon/Grange v Moneygall in Holycross @ 5.00pm.
A win for Moneygall should see them into the last eight and they should get it. Verdict: Moneygall
Carrick Davins v Knockavilla Kickhams in Cahir @ 5.00pm.
Kickhams have been one of the most impressive teams so far and should make it three from three. Verdict: Knockavilla Kickhams
Group 3 - Boherlahan-Dualla v Golden-Kilfeacle in New Inn @ 3.00pm.
Golden were one of the favourites but they need a win to try and avoid finishing bottom. Verdict: Golden-Kilfeacle
Kilsheelan/Kilcash v Moyle Rovers in Clonmel Sportsfield @ 3.00pm.
Like Loughmore, Kilsheelan have a strong dual element and it’s not hampering them at the moment. Verdict: Kilsheelan/Kilcash
Group 4 - Arravale Rovers v Ballinahinch in Dundrum @ 12.00pm.
Ballinahinch need just a point to make the quarter finals and should get it. Verdict: Ballinahinch
Ballingarry v Shannon Rovers in Templetuohy @ 12.00pm.
Rovers need a win to have any chance of reaching the last eight. Verdict: Ballingarry