There are six games in the St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Hurling League this weekend as clubs begin their season in the height of summer.
Ballyhale Shamrocks will be the team to beat once more as they go in search of a remarkable fifth consecutive county championship title in an unprecedented period of dominance on the local front.
Last year’s beaten finalists O’Loughlin Gaels will be amongst the main contenders to bring the Leinster champions’ reign to an end alongside town rivals James Stephens, while Dicksboro will be hoping to make a charge under the stewardship of new manager Michael Walsh.
Newcomers Glenmore have a wave of momentum behind the entire club following a magnificent intermediate campaign in 2021.
Elsewhere, Mullinavat and Clara will attempt to improve on last year’s quarter-final exits and Erin’s Owns will be expecting to easily stave off the threat of relegation after they survived the basement decider with Rower Inistioge.
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Lisdowney and Graigue Ballycallan know a strong start is crucial if they are to avoid a repeat of their appearances in the relegation semi-finals.
The first encounter of the weekend sees O’Loughlin Gaels and Graigue Ballycallan go head-to-head at 12.30pm in John Locke Park on Saturday afternoon.
The other games in Group B pits Dicksboro and Bennettsbridge against each other at 4pm in Clara with James Stephens and Glenmore facing off at 3.30pm in Dr Tierney Park on Sunday afternoon.
Group A opens up with the clash of Erin’s Own and Tullaroan at 7.15pm on Saturday night in Freshford and Mullinavat’s meeting with Lisdowney throws in fifteen minutes earlier at Pairc Sheamuis Stiophan
The tie of the round sees Clara and Ballyhale Shamrocks conclude the opening weekend of action at 1pm in Thomastown on Sunday.
St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Hurling League Round 1 fixtures:
Group A
Mullinavat vs Lisdowney – Saturday, 7pm, Pairc Sheamuis Stiophan
Erin’s Own vs Tullaroan – Saturday, 7.15pm, Pairc Lachtain
Clara vs Ballyhale Shamrocks – Sunday, 1pm, Thomastown
Group B
O’Loughlin Gaels vs Graigue Ballycallan – Saturday, 12.30pm, John Locke Park
Dicksboro vs Bennettsbirdge – Saturday, 4pm, Clara
James Stephens vs Glenmore – Sunday, 3.30pm, Dr Tierney Park
It promises to be an enthralling couple of months for hurling fans across the county and you can hear and read about how it all unfolds on Scoreline.
