Feast of hurling action this weekend

Hurling will be the focus of attention this weekend with finals across all the grades at adult and under-age scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

The showpiece is Sunday's eagerly-awaited Jubilee Cup decider between five-in-a-row-chasing Kiltale and surprise contenders Trim at Pairc Tailteann, 3.30pm.

Clann na nGael clubman Bernard Heaney will officiate what could be a fine spectacle with Kiltale going for five-in-a-row while Trim will be aiming to win their first title since 2001.

This is the first year of the graded SHC and Trim emerged from Group B in the runner-up position behind Longwood to claim one of the two quarter-final berths.

Without any doubt, Kiltale will be expected to sweep aside the challenge of Trim who, if they manage to halt their neighbours drive for five, will again find themselves in the B group for 2019 as only the winning team (Longwood) achieved promotion with former SHC kingpins Kilmessan making the drop.

"I don't think the fact that we haven't won since 2001 brings any added pressure to this group of players. None of these lads had any association with the team in 2001, so they are not dwelling on 17 years ago, they are focused on what they want to achieve for themselves," commented Trim manager Neil Cole.

For Cole it will be a busy schedule as he is also the manager of the Trim minor team and is on the JHC panel as well.

Kiltale should retain their crown, but the Trim players have already caused a major shock by disposing of Kildalkey in the semi-final while Kiltale negotiated Ratoath.

Kiltale manager David Troy is adopting a cautious approach and is well aware of the threat that Trim will pose.

"This is not the first time Trim have got on a roll like this and when you look at the two teams on paper, there is nothing between them," he suggested.

"I think it is going to be a cracking game, I'm really looking forward to the game," he added.

The curtainraiser will see Trim tackle Killyon / Longwood in the MHC final at 1pm.

Former Meath hurling manager John Davis will be the guest of honour and will perform the ceremonial throw-in for the SHC final.

The 1993 All-Ireland SHC B-winning Meath players will be introduced to the crowd also to mark the 25th anniversary of that victory over London at Ruislip. Admission €20.

Saturday will also feature four hurling finals with the main event set for Pairc Tailteann at 3.45pm when Gaeil Colmcille will tackle Na Fianna for the IHC title. 
Na Fianna will be bidding to make amends for last year's replay final defeat by Navan O'Mahonys and they have to be considered seriously for the title.
"Last year's defeat will spur us on a bit, but on the day you have to perform and get over the line, you have to stay focused, we can learn from the past, but this is another year, a different game," stated Na Fianna manager Ger Slevin as he sounded a word of caution for his players.

His Gaeil Colmcille counterpart John Morris is not too concerned that his team lost to Na Fianna(0-13 to 0-15)  in the qualifying phase of the 

IHC.

"We played very well at the start of that game, they just had that little bit more experience, Barry Slevin was the difference between the teams in the last 10 minutes, but I don't think that will have any bearing on this year's final," he suggested. 

Prior to that Trim will face Ratoath in the JHC decider and Cole is likely to feature for Trim in that encounter.

Trim will host two Minor Shield finals on Saturda.

Navan O'Mahonys will take on Na Fianna for the MHC Div 2 Shield and the combination of Drumree/Kilmessan will tackle Kildalkey for the MHC Div 1 Shield title.

See the Meath Chronicle this week for previews on the senior and intermediate finals.