Experience vital in JHC semi-finals
The JJ Kavanagh & Sons Junior Hurling CHampionship reaches the semi-final stage at Netwatch Cullen Park on Friday evening Photo: Pat Ahern
Last year a strong Ballinkillen side came up against what turned out to be a better Bagenalstown Gaels team and had to settle for second best in the county final. This year you couldn’t say Ballinkillen are going all out to make amends but Tony Meaney admits that winning this championship is on their minds.
“You would love to win any title,” the Ballinkillen manager says.
“We have a combination of some lads going up to senior ranks which is always a positive in the club to see people going forward. A few long time injuries probably stifled us at the start of the year but we are in good shape,” the Ballinkillen manager says.
He has a lot of respect for the opposition who beat them in the group stages.
“Carlow Town are a good side. We were a point up at half-time and they basically took over in the second half. They are very impressive. A couple of older lads in Brian Delaney and Barry English are playing very well. We will be up against it.”
Delaney is coaching Carlow Town and is playing as well.
“I am 48,” he says.
“John Cleary is 49 and Barry is definitely mid-forties. You go down and we have six lads who are minors. There is a great mix of players."
The club are trying to hold onto some of these younger players and allowing them to play at the grade so that they don’t become over-loaded too soon. Delaney says the club is in good nick and is progressing nicely.
“Four years ago, we didn’t have a junior team. Three years ago we got to the Shield Final. Two years ago we got to the Shield final. Last year we got to the Junior A semi-final. Now we are there again and this year we hope to go at least one better and get to the final.” This promises to be a battle royal. Both sides are stick and ball players. The skill levels are high. As junior finals go, it promises to be a classic. Both sides could do with the win.
Ballinkillen won four games in the group. Carlow Town’s seven wins out of seven indicates they will prevail here.
Carlow Town.
Two clubs who are hurling to their finger-tips meet in the second of the Junior Championship semi-finals at Netwatch on Friday. In the not so recent past both these sides have won junior finals but those titles are hard to come by.
Pat Fenlon is looking after St Mullins this year and while he loves to win he knows there is something bigger at play here.
Some of the over 35s such as Mark Ryan, Chris Kavanagh, Michael Fenlon and Thomas Coady have done it all at every level in the club.
“Most of these lads want to hurl for enjoyment before they give it up. These lads are involved with hurling in the club and have always been,” he says.
Michael Kealy, the Rangers manager, speaks in a similar vein.
“It is fantastic to field three adult teams and to be in the knock-out stages of all competitions. It is a great achievement for the club and shows the amount of work going in particularly at underage,” he says.
Some of the younger players such as Jack Foley and Jack Cummins are learning to ply their trade at the lower level before moving up.
“From a junior point of view it is great to field some of the stars of the past. Eddie and John Coady, David Phelan and Richie Kelly who all played in an All-Ireland final in 2-13 are back playing junior. Whether they will be playing or not, they are all involved. It is great to have that experience around the place,” notes Kealy.
From a neutral point of view, previous results suggest Rangers will progress but matches between these two sides are hard to predict. They take on a life of their own. It will be all on the day. The Borris based side look to be in the better position.
Mount Leinster Rangers
