By Kevin Regan
There’s Quarter Final action aplenty across Kilkenny this weekend as we edge closer towards the latter stages of the Senior Championship.
Here’s a look at all four Senior Quarter Finals.
Rower Inistioge V St Martins – Saturday 8th October 2.30pm, Bennettsbridge.
St Martins reached the League Final this year and staged a remarkable recovery against Ballyhale Shamrocks in that decider to salvage extra time. It ultimately ended in a five point defeat but it was an encouraging performance nonetheless.
The Rower Inistioge have had two really tough battles with Danesfort and it took extra time in last weeks replay to get over that hurdle.
I feel that St Martins will be a little bit fresher having had that extra week to play with and they may just shade this one.
Verdict: St Martins
Ballyhale Shamrocks V Mullinavat – Saturday 8th October 4.30pm, Thomastown
As Mentioned above, Ballyhale took League Honors and on the other hand Mullinavat had to battle their way past Bennettsbridge at the second attempt.
This is a real traditional local derby and as often is the case form generally goes out the window!
That extra game can be a help or a hinderance depending on how quickly a team can recover.
There will be skin flying in this one and Mullinavat are quite confident of causing an upset, particularly with Michael Fennelly now absent for Ballyhale, but I think the Shamrocks will do the business.
Verdict: Ballyhale Shamrocks
James Stephens V O’Loughlin Gaels- Sunday 9th October 2pm, Nowlan Park
This has the potential to be the game of the weekend.
O Loughlin Gaels played Dicksboro in a game which counted for very little a fortnight ago, while James Stephens upped the ante in the second half of their clash with Erins Own to run out comfortable winners.
The Village are a team that have underachieved in recent years and the return of Brian Cody as a selector seems to have given them a little bit of bite which was evident in that clash with Castlecomer out in Ballyragget.
This could well be a shootout with class forwards present on both sides so you would have to think that whoever tightens up that bit better will win this one.
I’m going with James Stephens here.
Verdict: James Stephens
Clara V Dicksboro- Sunday 9th October 3.45pm, Nowlan Park
A meeting of Maroon!
This is a fixture which Dicksboro probably didn’t want but at the same time it could be real banana skin for a Clara side who only recently have got the wheels back on the wagon.
The fact that Clara’s form has been indifferent so far will give Dicksboro some hope, but I feel that Clara will be out to make a real statement in this one.
Some people tend to forget that Clara are the reigning Senior Champions, although its only a short few years since Dicksboro contested a final themselves.
In the heel of the hunt I think Clara will have enough to prevail.
Verdict Clara
We Have Live Reports Of Sunday’s Double Header at Nowlan Park on our Kilkenny Frequency from 2pm onwards and we will keep you posted across all codes on Saturday and Sunday Scoreline from 2-6 and Weekend Sports Roundup on Saturday and Sunday from 6-6.30