Make or break weekend in County Senior Hurling Championship for many

One week after qualifying for our fourth Munster senior hurling final in a row, we face into another big weekend of hurling, this time on the club scene.

For many clubs, this is going to be the weekend that the result of their game coupled with that of others could mean that when the knockout stages of the competition are played in a few weeks time, they are either in or out of the championship and in the case of some, could be trying to fight off relegation to the intermediate ranks for next years competitions.

Games as always are fixed for Walsh Park and Fraher Field. But for hurling supporters, there is some bad news in so far as while there are six games to be played this weekend, there is just one double header to take place this weekend.

This could well mean that an already cash strapped county board will loose out on some extra revenue, even if what would be taken up would be small in comparison to what is needed to run the boards affairs each year, as supporters are unlikely to return to two or more games over the weekend.

Why we do not have three double headers this weekend, I do not know, nor have I made any attempt to find out, but I am sure there is a perfectly good reason.

Two games take place on Friday evening, one each at Fraher Field and at Walsh Park.

Last years beaten finalist Tallow take on Mount Sion in Fraher Field. While the Bride-siders after three games are in the quarter final places, this could all well change over the next two rounds of league games in the competition. Mount Sion in their three games played have failed to collect a single points and if there loosing streak was to continue beyond this weekend, they could well end up in a second relegation battle since 2009.

Ballygunner and Passage meet in Walsh Park in what is a must win game for both sides and as a result could draw the biggest attendance to a venue in the county this weekend. Ballygunner to date have won just one of their three games and are bottom of group one. Passage has faired slightly better recording one win and one draw in their three games.

A defeat for Passage would not be the end of the world for them as they will have one more game to ensure that they are in the last eight of the competition, but for Ballygunner, a defeat could mean that they not only miss out on a place in the last eight of the competition but they would end up fighting relegation which for many would be almost unthinkable.

Saturday evening sees a double header fought out at Fraher Field.

Fourmilewater and Dunhill clash in the first game and on paper, many will see just the one outcome to this game. Fourmilewater have three wins from three games played in the competition to date and have qualified for the quarter finals already. With players like Shane Walsh, Liam Lawlor, Brian Wall, the O’Gorman brothers and Jamie Barron all who have played for different inter country teams in recent years to pick from, it hard to see them not win, but expect Dunhill to put it up to them.

The second game of Saturday evening sees Lismore take on Abbeyside. Both sides are going well this year. Lismore head their group, but Abbeyside are not behind and could move ahead of Lismore this weekend if they were to win. Lismore will be looking to Maurice Shanahan for much of their inspiration in this game and will enter the game as favourites, but if Abbeyside are able to get a full 60 minutes out of Gary Hurney after his recent injury, they could make life very difficult for the side from the far-west.

Two games are to take place on Sunday.

Roanmore and De La Salle clash at Walsh Park and could attract a good attendance. Both sides have lost one game in this year’s championship, both coincidently against Fourmilewater. De La Salle are one of the favourites to win this years championship. They have some excellent young players coming through their ranks and some outstanding more experienced players as well. They will fancy their chances of winning this game but Roanmore especially if Gavin O’Brien is at his very best could make it a very difficult game for De La Salle and as we all know, when two neighbouring sides clash, especially at this level, anything can happen.

The final game of the weekend sees Dungarvan take on Ballyduff Upper at Fraher Field. Both sides go into this game needing a win. The winner should reach the knockout stages of the championship, but the loosing side could well miss out on a place in the last eight and maybe end up fighting relegation.

League Tables

Group One. Lismore	3	2	0	1	66	57	9	5
Dungarvan	3	1	1	1	54	50	4	3
Abbeyside	3	1	1	1	53	54	-1	3
Passage	3	1	1	1	59	62	-3	3
Ballyduff Upper	3	1	2	0	44	48	-4	2
Ballygunner	3	1	2	0	39	44	-5	2

 Group Two

Fourmilewater	3	3	0	0	60	35	25	6
De La Salle	3	2	1	0	70	43	27	4
Roanmore	3	1	1	1	41	54	-13	3
Tallow	3	1	1	1	47	64	-17	3
Dunhill	3	1	2	0	54	59	-5	2
Mount Sion	3	0	3	0	50	67	-17	0