Determined Dunderry on course to chop down 'Wood

Resilient, passionate, hungry and experienced are all adjectives that can be used to describe both Dunderry and Longwood and the pair meet in the semi-final of the SHC B on Sunday in Devenish Park at 12pm. There is something quite mysterious and alluring about how the tight-knit Longwood hurlers operate.

They don’t show their cards in every contest and there are times where they put in performances worthy of being written off but that is a dangerous action to take.

At this level they are always going to be there or thereabouts and in the old format, they have contested the last two deciders of the SHC B and they won the title in 2024.

Dunderry have a never-say-die attitude and the way they battled back from a seven-point deficit against the holders of the Kit Mitchell Cup last time out was impressive.

Of course, there will be a new champion crowned this year and whoever wins this semi-final will likely be underdogs against a talented Kilskyre/Moylagh outfit. That won’t bother either of these two sides too much though.

Last time out against the current favourites, Longwood were without the services of their stalwart Damien Healy and his lack of presence was felt in that contest.

They lost that game, but their opponents this weekend did them a favour with that win over Killyon and it transpired that Longwood had done just enough to qualify.

Tommy Leavy’s side won’t be in such a favourable mood this weekend and if Dunderry perform at their peak, they will be hard to beat. Verdict - Dunderry.