​​​​​​​Contrasting emotions and styles ahead of 118th North Senior Final
KILADANGAN v KILRUANE MACDONAGHS
MacDonagh Park, Nenagh
Sunday 16th September
Throw-in @ 2.30pm (E.T.)
Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess)
North Senior Hurling finals don't need much selling and this Sunday's 118th instalment should be no different between neighbours Kiladangan and Kilruane MacDonaghs.
For the second time in the years, the sides meet in the final with Kiladangan claiming glory in 2016, 2-18 to 1-17, but was more comfortable than the final margin suggests.
Back then, reaching a first final in 26 years was a big thing for Kilruane and they had the added pressure of trying to win it on home soil in Cloughjordan due to the 1916 commemorations.
While Kiladangan were deserving winners on the day, Kilruane will feel the occasion got to them a little as they never really got into a rhythm good enough to claim a 19th North title.
Two years on, they are a side that look more mature with added quality but so too do Kiladangan who have a squad that is the envy of everyone in the division. But it will be tested, particularly in attack where Darragh Egan limped out of the semi-final replay win over Nenagh with a calf strain and depending on its severity, is unlikely to be risked with a knockout County quarter finals coming down the road.
The lack of a knockout element is probably why Kiladangan have agreed to play the North Minor 'A' Hurling final against Toomevara on Friday, despite Bryan McLoughney being likely to start in both games. The livewire corner forward has been a huge addition to their attack this year, from play and frees, and was rested last Saturday against Nenagh following a busy recent schedule with the minors and may well be held back again.
But then again, Kiladangan have options to bring off the bench, including Billy Seymour who hit 1-1 as a sub in the semi-final replay while they are also hopeful that Dan O'Meara might be able to play having sat out the Nenagh game through injury.
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