Senior Hurling Championship
Mount Leinster Rangers v St Mullins
Mount Leinster Rangers’ Dara Tobin during last week’s win over Naomh Bríd
Photo: Thomas Nolan Photography
Saturday, Netwatch Cullen Park, 5.00pm
It is hard to see anything but a win for the reigning champions here. The challengers have looked really good for short spells during games but they have been far from consistent. The loss of Marty Kavanagh is massive but if James Doyle is back from honeymoon that would be a confidence boost. Rangers seem to be winning at their ease. Even with weakened squads.
Verdict: Rangers
Ballinkillen v Bagenalstown Gaels
Saturday, Netwatch Cullen Park, 6.45pm
If Bagenalstown win and St Mullins lose then it will all come down to points difference and who gets the short straw by finished fourth and facing Rangers in the semi-final. Both these clubs impressed in the previous round so it could all decide on the day. A head to head win for Bagenalstown might not matter if St Mullins lose to Rangers.
Unless there are a set of unprecedented winning margins, Bagenalstown are all but consigned to fourth place in the group. Both sides will be looking over their shoulders at what is coming behind which might be a distraction here.
Verdict: Ballinkillen.
Naomh Eoin v Naomh Bríd
Saturday, The Training Centre, 6.00pm
This is the deadest of dead rubbers. Players and connections might try and talk it up pointing to the future. It doesn’t matter a whit and deep down everyone knows that too.
Verdict: Naomh Eoin
| Senior Hurling Championship table | |||||||
| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts |
| 1 | Mount Leinster Rangers | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 8 |
| 2 | Ballinkillen | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 6 |
| 3 | Naomh Moling | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 6 |
| 4 | Bagenalstown Gaels | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 4 |
| 5 | Naomh Eoin | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -23 | 0 |
| 6 | Naomh Bríd | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -59 | 0 |
Intermediate Hurling Championship – Round 5
Carlow Town v Mount Leinster Rangers
Carlow Town, Friday, 7.30pm
Rangers have to be flying at the moment. A win over Naomh Eoin at the weekend assured them of a place in the semi-finals and they will want to drive on now and take the top spot. Mathematically Carlow Town can still qualify but only some outrageous results would allow that to happen.
Verdict: Rangers
St Mullins v Ballinkillen
St Mullins, Friday, 7.30pm.
Pride might motivate Ballinkillen but St Mullins will prevail in a canter.
Verdict: St Mullins
Naomh Eoin v Bagenalstown Gaels
Myshall, Friday, 7.30pm.
Bagenalstown Gaels really impressed when coming from behind to beat St Mullins. Alan Whelan pulled the strings for them that night. Naomh Eoin will look to Ciaran Abbey and Declan Nolan for scores and it will be a tight contest. If they keep Whelan quiet the Myshall side will win.
Verdict: Naomh Eoin
| Intermediate Hurling Championship Table | |||||||
| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts |
| 1 | Mount Leinster Rangers | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 66 | 6 |
| 2 | Naomh Eoin | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 6 |
| 3 | Naomh Moling | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 4 | Bagenalstown Gaels | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -4 | 4 |
| 5 | Carlow Town Hurling Club | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -7 | 2 |
| 6 | Ballinkillen | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -83 | 0 |
The Junior Hurling Championship semi-finals also take place this weekend. First up, Burren Rangers play Naomh Bríd at Netwatch Cullen Park on Friday at 7.30pm. Then on Saturday, Mount Leinster Rangers play St Mullins at 3pm, also at Netwatch Cullen Park.
By Kieran Murphy
