Senior Hurling Championship Begins Sunday!

Next Sunday sees the debut of the newly formed Offaly Hurling Club who take on the Barley House Wolves in the first round of the junior hurling championship.  It will be a great occasion for hurling in the region.  The addition of Offaly, and of the new Providence Hurling club, brings the number of Hurling clubs in the New England region to 10.  In many ways it is fitting that they meet the first of the regional clubs, the Barley House Wolves, whose unique story of comradeship and healing is well known.  Best of luck to the new clubs in their maiden season, may it be the first of many.

There are two senior hurling games on the card for Sunday also.  Fr. Tom’s take on Galway in the first round.  It is a long standing rivalry between the two clubs in this area, each having a traditional draw from Galway at home, and even having brothers in each separate camp.  Tom’s had a fairly impressive first Sheehan Cup outing against Barley House Wolves, while for Galway it is the first outing of the season.  Getting the early two points is important with settling a club for the rest of the season as nobody wants to be battling for third place in late July and August.

Wexford meet Tipperary in the second game.  Tipp are defending senior hurling champions and Cronan Dempsey and Co. will be looking to get off to a good start in their defence of the title.  Tipperary have made some good additions to the forward line, Liam Moloney and Mark Kavanagh looked particulary good last week.    Wexford have traditionally been strong on the home based front with the likes of Kilkenny men Eoghan Kavanagh and Tom Maloney serving the club well over the years, and have picked up some additional help with the addition of Rory Sludds and Dan Sweatland.   Wexford just about had the upper hand in last week’s Sheehan Cup semi-final, and with championship points at stake Sunday a treat is surely in store for hurling fans.

Defending Senior Football Champions Donegal

The Senior Football championship continues with Galway, who looked impressive in their first outing take on a Wolfe Tones club that have continued to beef up their home based ranks.  Both teams are looking to add a second win.  Kevin Cummins looked impressive form for Galway, and Meathman, Fionn Ferguson (nephew of the famous Terry Ferguson who played for Meath in the 1980’s and 90’s) looks to be a great addition to the forward line for the Brighton team.  Wolfe Tones also had a solid win in their first game out.  With Ian Whelan in the middle of the field, and Shea Tennyson and Jerry Troy in the forward line, as well as former Louth and International series footballer Paddy Keenan, the Tones will be hard to beat.

The final game of the day sees Donegal face the Shannon Blues.  Donegal looked powerful in their opening game.  Louthman, Brian Donnelly, returns to the team for the season in the middle of the field and Buncrana native John Campbell at corner forward will prove to be a tough assignment for any corner back.  The Blues will be looking to improve on their first outing where Galway handed them a loss.  Corner forward Paudie McCormack proved to the main threat for the Blues, however they will be looking for ways to prevent Donegal from racking up an early tally as Galway did in the last game.

Schedule

Sunday June 12

11:30 Junior Hurling:  Offaly v Barley House Wolves

1:00 Senior Hurling:  Galway v Fr. Tom Burke’s

2:30 Senior Football:  Galway v Wolfe Tones

3:45 Senior Hurling:  Wexford v Tipperary

5:00 Senior Football:  Donegal v Shannon Blues 

Field B

12:00 Junior A Football:  Cork v Connemara Gaels