Pressure mounts in Relegation playoffs
SENIOR HURLING RELEGATION SEMI-FINALS
By Shane Brophy
Saturday 30th September
Clonoulty/Rossmore v JK Brackens at The Ragg @ 3.30pm
A strange position for Clonoulty/Rossmore to be in having played in and lost a county quarter final but still find themselves in a relegation battle after they finished bottom on their group.
That mentality shift will need work up against a Brackens side that have found their best form in both codes in recent week, coinciding with the return of Paddy Cadell.
Verdict: JK Brackens
Sunday 1st October
Kilruane MacDonaghs v Upperchurch/Drombane in Dolla @ 1.00pm
This pairing was a county semi-final last year which Kilruane MacDonaghs won comfortably enough but twelve months on, it is a relegation scrap. Upperchurch are most unlucky to find themselves in this situation having been edged into fourth spot in their group on score difference.
The extra time and penalty shootout football quarter final win last Sunday will drain them which should aid Kilruane who will come in fresh, but their mentality will be key in getting the result they need. Verdict: Kilruane MacDonaghs
PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING RELEGATION FINAL
By Liam Hogan
Saturday, 30th September
Portroe v Newport in Nenagh @ 1.30pm.
Having lost to Sean Treacys in the semi-final, Portroe find themselves in a relegation final as they hope to avoid the drop to Intermediate level where they were perched until their county final success in 1990.
Their form this year has been less than satisfactory which hasn’t been helped by injuries to Kevin O’Halloran and Robbie Byrne while the absence of AJ Willis and Ruadhan Mulrooney has really hit them very hard in attack.
Of the two semi-final pairings, Portroe had the hardest draw against Sean Treacys who might feel they could have survived a relegation battle at least.
Their opponents Newport have diced with relegation for the last two years but were never involved in a final. Similar to Portroe, they have not played well all through the season and the loss to Moyne-Templetuohy in the semi-final was another blow to their confidence.
The Newport attack is limited and the dependency on Colin Floyd is too much.
Yet, they have the better pick and there is one good game in them, and they should prevail although it will not be without a stiff Portroe test as they rarely go down without a fight. Verdict: Newport
INTERMEDIATE HURLING RELEGATION FINAL
By Shane Brophy
Saturday 30th September
Kiladangan v Upperchurch/Drombane in Templederry @ 3.30pm
Junior hurling beckons for the loser of this intermediate relegation final. If it is Kiladangan, it will be back-to-back relegations for a side that played in a premier intermediate quarter final just two years ago.
Meanwhile, Upperchurch/Drombane only won the junior ‘A’ championship last year but have found the step-up in grade tough. Verdict: Kiladangan