Kilskyre/Moylagh to maintain momentum
Often in the past the Intermediate champions have found the leap to senior hurling a struggle, but Kilskyre/Moylagh showed that they are right at home in the higher grade and the fact that they are now operating at Senior B level should help their progress even further as they bid to maintain their push to sit at the very top table.
Dunderry v Kilskyre/Moylagh
Kilskyre/Moylagh impressed with a win over Killyon in round one. Tom Gilsenan’s side are a team on the rise with some fantastic young talent coming of age in the likes of Darren O’Higgins and the Shine brothers, Tom and Daire. Stalwarts like Seanie Geraghty and Willie McGrath provide great experience and they are more than capable of competing highly at this level.
Dunderry made a strong start to their campaign with a win over Michael Verney’s Blackhall Gaels. They also have some fine talent within their ranks and in particular the Leavy brothers, Mark and Conor impressed when they lined out with Johnny Greville’s Meath this year.
Tommy Leavy’s side pulled off the shock of the championship last year when they beat Kilmessan in the group stage so they are more than capable of causing an upset but Kilskyre/Moylagh, off the back of last year's successful IHC campaign and an impressive outing in round one, already seem to be gathering momentum and should be too strong at Grangegodden on Sunday, 2pm. Prediction: Kilskyre/Moylagh.
Longwood v Blackhall Gaels
It is not often that Longwood show their cards early. In fact last year they were terrible in the group stages of the old structure before they went on an impressive run all the way to the SHC B decider.
This year Longwood wasted no time in setting out their stall and were impressive in their round one victory over Navan O’Mahony’s. Mickey Burke’s evergreen influence may have subsided but with the likes of Sean Coloe and Damien Healy within their ranks, Longwood aren’t lacking in experience.
Michael Verney gets a fantastic tune out of Blackhall Gaels and the Offaly native has done a remarkable job during his tenure in charge. There is a ceiling on what they are capable of achieving at this level but they are not to be overlooked either.
Shane Whitty and Dermot Carty are joint captains and those two in particular have been fantastic servants for the team.
These two teams have had several meetings over the last couple of years and it always transpires to be an entertaining encounter but on this occasion, Longwood may prove to be too strong for the men in blue and yellow hoops when they meet in Rathmolyon on Sunday at 2pm. Prediction: Longwood.
Killyon v Navan O’Mahonys
Both Killyon and Navan O’Mahonys suffered defeats in round one and both will see this as an opportunity to get back on track.
Killyon are the current holders of the Kit Mitchell Cup and given the fact that Kit Mitchell was himself a Killyon man there is an added incentive for the team managed by David Mitchell to go back-to-back. However, they need to get off the mark at Dunganny on Sunday (2pm) to put themselves back into a strong position for qualifying.
Navan O’Mahonys had some strong league form heading into the championship, albeit Div 3 form, but their second-half performance against Longwood is cause for concern.
They only scored four points after the interval having led by two at the break. Only a one-point return from their full-forward line in that game is also worrying from the perspective of the Brews Hill side as they aim to get back on track.
Navan O’Mahonys are more than capable of competing at this level but the expectation is that the champions will bounce back with a victory. Prediction: Killyon.