Blackhall Gaels and Longwood will renew rivalries for a place in the SHC B final.

B Specials aiming to march on

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Blackhall Gaels and Longwood will renew rivalries for a place in the SHC B final. Paula Greif

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Injury hit Killyon will take on Navan O’Mahonys in the SHC B semi-final. David Mullen

Fergal Lynch

Published: Fri 3 Oct 2025, 6:00 PM

PREVIEWS

While the inevitable top four continue their quest for Jubilee Cup glory the best of the rest will maintain their mission for a consolation prize as the SHC B and IHC B semi-finals take centre stage in Dunganny across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There is also the not so small matter of Clann na nGael and Dunderry doing battle in a bid to preserve their senior status, albeit in name only as next year's hurling championships are likely to be restructured which will see only the genuine contenders entered into the race for the Jubilee Cup.

SHC B SEMI-FINALS

The first of the SHC B semi-finals double-header at Dunganny on Saturday will pit the defending champions Longwood against the side that defeated them in the final round of games in Group A, Blackhall Gaels.

That contest was an entertaining game with Blackhall Gaels claiming the spoils by 3-19 to 4-13, but in reality it was a nothing game with both sides out of contention for place in the SHC A quarter-finals and Longwood missing the suspended brothers Damien and Anthony Healy.

The Healys returned for the 2-15 to 1-10 SHC B quarter-final win over Dunderry and their presence will make them favourites for this semi-final.

However, Longwood are not just a two man team and the impact of players like Mickey Burke, Ryan Moore and Sean Coloe make them very strong at this level.

Blackhall Gaels also have their threats in Shane Whitty, Stephen Morris, Dermot Carty and Paul Kelly. Under the guidance of former Birr and Offaly player Michael Verney Blackhall have played some attractive hurling and if they hit their straps they could spring a surprise in this one.

Verdict - Blackhall Gaels.

It took Navan O'Mahonys until the SHC B quarter-final against Clann na nGael to register their first win since their return to the senior grade after winning the IHC in 2024.

That 2-22 to 1-15 win over the Athboy/Rathcairn side was something of a surprise, but it is sure to be the perfect confidence booster ahead of this semi-final clash with Killyon.

While O'Mahonys failed to manage a win in the group stages of the SHC they went close on a couple of occasions, securing a draw against Dunderry and pushing Trim to the pin of their collar. The 1-8 to 0-15 loss to Killyon in their closing group game was probably O'Mahonys most disappointing performance so they will be keen to right those wrongs.

Jack Walsh has been the Brews Hill side's leading light, but others like Tom Condon, Dermot McKenna, Cormac Keyes, Ben McEntagart and Jack McConnell have also been key players.

Killyon have been injury hit for the last couple rounds. Keith Keoghan, James Connolly and David Raleigh have been huge losses, but the Hill of Down side will hope to have them back in contention for this semi-final.

If that trio are fit, then added to the obvious abilities of Paddy Coyne, Dylan Farrell and Justin Coyne Killyon will have a massive chance. If those players remain out then they will struggle.

It's a tough one to call. With everyone fit it has to be Killyon, but if they are short two or three then O'Mahonys might capitalise. Expect Killyon to do everything they can to get their best players on the pitch.

Verdict - Killyon.

SHC RELEGATION

Remarkably neither of the two sides that find themselves in the relegation final actually finished bottom of their respective groups, but that matters little as Clann na nGael and Dunderry must now face off in Dunganny on Friday night.

With a new championship structure allegedly on the way for hurling neither of these two are likely to find themselves in senior for much longer, but bragging rights will be on offer with Clann na nGael expected to have the edge with Joe Ennis getting the better of Evan Nolan in a shootout between two excellent players.

Verdict - Clann na nGael.

IHC B SEMI-FINALS

The first of the weekend's IHC B semi-finals pits two second teams against each other with Kilmessan's second string expected to ride the crest of the wave created by their senior team and get the better of a depleted Kildalkey in Dunganny on Friday evening.

Boardsmill will underline their credentials as IHC B favourites with a comfortable victory over a Wolfe Tones side that only managed one win in their group, but who did show improvement against St Patrick's.

Verdicts - Kilmessan and Boardsmill.