SHC group stages reach the final round

SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP 

Mount Leinster Rangers v Bagenalstown Gaels Netwatch Cullen Park, Saturday, 4pm.

Here are two sides who clearly don’t like each other. Rangers do not want to get into any kind of a battle as their opposition are surely going to look to restore a bit of pride in what has been a disappointing championship for them. The Borris side know they have to keep their focus, produce a half-decent performance in preparation for a semi-final the following week.

Verdict: Mount Leinster Rangers
 

Naomh Eoin v St Mullins Netwatch Cullen Park, Saturday, 5.45pm.

St Mullins have the hard work done beating both Mount Leinster Rangers and Ballinkillen to top the group. They cannot be caught as Ballinkillen have played their four games and the reigning champions beat Rangers in the head to head.

Naomh Eoin continue to disappoint. It is hard to see anything but a St Mullins victory here.

INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP 

First named team at home. All games 7.30pm. Friday.

Naomh Eoin bye 

Kildavin-Clonegal v Burren Rangers 

Kildavin-Clonegal lost to Mount Leinster Rangers in a midweek game so this is their last chance to make the knockout stages. This is now basically a knockout tie and the game of most significance across the weekend. The permuations are relatively simple, a draw or better for Burren will almost certainly see them through, while Kildavin-Clongeal need to win. There is an extremely remote possibility that both teams miss out if St Mullins were to record a huge win but more on that below. Burren, with Dylan Townsend, Cathal Healy and Conor Bolger, may have a better-balanced side than their neighbours who can call on the experience of Joe Roberts, Niall Hickey and Padraic Ryan.

Verdict: Burren Rangers 

St Mullins v Mount Leinster Rangers 

St Mullins go into this game with the slimmest of chances of making the knockout stages. First off, they need Kildavin-Clonegal to beat Burren and then they need to beat Rangers by such a large margin that it is verging on the impossible. In that scenario, their -37 score difference would come back to haunt them. It's not like they can even focus on running up a big as they will go into this game as underdogs. Rangers' midweek win over Kildavin-Clonegal means they are already through but they will want to build on that momentum. They should win here even if they are making the short journey to Bahana from Borris.

Verdict: Mount Leinster Rangers 

Carlow Town v Naomh Bríd, 8pm 

Carlow Town looked set to beat Rangers in Borris over the weekend but they collapsed in the final quarter against the home side who hurled really well. They are not in a good place going into this one but their place in the semi-finals is assured.

Verdict: Naomh Bríd 

JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP 

First named team at home. Sunday 12.00pm 

Setanta v Carlow Town 

One would imagine that with the history of the clubs there would be a bit of an edge here. Then again, Carlow Town are all but assured of a semi-final place while their rivals here are still looking to establish themselves at this level. Carlow Town have more to play for.

Verdict: Carlow Town 

Bagenalstown Gaels v Ballinkillen 

Both teams are already through in what is turning out to be a very competitive championship. Possibly they could meet in the semi-final depending on what happens elsewhere. Ballinkillen are best placed to lay a marker here.

Verdict: Ballinkillen 

Mount Leinster Rangers v Burren Rangers Mount Leinster Rangers players will be motivated as they will be looking for starting places in the semi-final. There can only be one result here.

Verdict: Mount Leinster Rangers 

St Mullins v Naomh Bríd 

This is a dead rubber as Carlow Town have beaten both these sides. Even if Carlow Town were to lose both their games this week and St Mullins won both theirs, the Oak Park side still go through as they beat St Mullins in the group stages. Will this game go ahead?

Verdict: St Mullins