By Kevin Regan
After almost a month of a break the Carlow Senior Hurling Championship resumes this coming Sunday with County Final places up for grabs.
First up is the meeting of Erins Own and Mount Leinster Rangers at 2.30pm and that’s followed by Naomh Eoin V St Mullins at 4pm and both those games are in Netwatch Cullen Park.
Erins Own V Mount Leinster Rangers
Sunday 2nd October -2.30pm Netwatch Cullen Park
Mount Leinster Rangers have been the form team in this years championship, there’s no question about that. Erins Own struggled initially but got to where they wanted to be with wins over Naomh Brid and Ballinkillen, two games that they were expected to win.
The sides met in the 2009 and 2012 SHC finals with Erins Own still regretful on what might have been in the 2009 final, while 2012 was a tactical disaster.
The Bagenalstown lads didn’t become bad hurlers overnight and while Football may be where the buzz is this year, some people forget that Erins Own were in fact Leinster League Champions.
Rangers have looked a much better team than what they were 12 months ago and they really mean business this year after losing last years decider to rivals St Mullins.
It’s hard to see anything other than a Mount Leinster Rangers victory here.
Verdict: MLR
St Mullins V Naomh Eoin
Sunday 2nd October- 4pm Netwatch Cullen Park
Now this one could be tasty!
Naomh Eoin have had a peculiar season in that they started off the year by reaching a Kilkenny League Final, dispatching Mount Leinster Rangers on route, all while missing Shane Kavanagh and Eoin Nolan to name but a few.
Their Championship got off to a poor start with a loss to Ballinkillen, but wins over Naomh Brid and Erins Own have earned them their place in the semi finals.
St Mullins have their sights set on a coveted Three in a row and have won all bar one of their games so far without really hitting top form.
They will need to do just that on Sunday because Naomh Eoin will come out all guns blazing in an attempt to prove their doubters wrong.
In Carlow it’s all about hitting form at the right time and a battle hardened lead up to the semi should stand to Naomh Eoin, but I still expect St Mullins to just about shade it.
Verdict: St Mullins
We Will Have Full Live Commentary Of Both Games on Our Carlow Frequency from 2.30pm Sunday With thanks to Cleere Life and Pensions. Pensions, Investments, Life Cover and Savings, contact Cleere Life and Pensions 9 Dean Street Kilkenny or visit Cleerelife.ie
