Drumree expected to sustain impressive winning ways

After an exciting round of action on opening weekend, the race to climb to a higher level continues for the IHC and IHC B contenders this week, with Drumree the biggest winners from round one aiming to maintain their fine form.

IHC

Drumree v Donaghmore/Ashbourne

These two sides have very similar profiles in the IHC. They are two competitive sides that have fallen short in recent years at the business end of the championship. Both sides made winning starts to their IHC campaign and a win for either team will put them in a fantastic position to secure qualification to the knock-out stages.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne are a tidy outfit with some skilful young hurlers. Louis McIvor is still be quite young, but he has a very bright future ahead of him. Drumree will be full of confidence after they tunned St Peter’s in the opening round. It will be a tight encounter kin Batterstown on Friday evening (7.30pm), but their outings in round one suggest that Drumree might just edge this one. Prediction: Drumree.

Gaeil Colmcille v St Peter’s

St Peter’s are a team with very talented hurlers, so they would have been bitterly disappointed with their display in the opening round against Drumree. Class is permanent though and with the likes of Jason Gleeson and Sean Quigley within the ranks, it should not take long for the Dunboyne outfit to bounce back.

From that perspective, this clash in Kiltale on Saturday at 4.30pm with the perceived weakest team in the IHC is probably coming at a good time for Noel McMahon’s charges and they should be too strong for Gaeil Colmcille. Prediction: St Peter’s.

Clann na nGael v Rathmolyon

It was always going to be difficult to get a read on how competitive Clann na nGael were going to be pre-championship. They made no impact really on the SHC last year and their league form left a lot to be desired. However, they only lost out their opening round clash against Donaghmore/Ashbourne by the tightest of margins in defeat proved that they will be no pushovers in this campaign.

On Saturday in Dunganny (7pm) though, a tough task faces Gary Mangan's side as the HL Div 2 champions Rathmolyon currently look like the stand-out team in the IHC. Prediction: Rathmolyon.

IHC B

Kiltale v Wolfe Tones

Wolfe Tones off the back of their draw with Boardsmill should have enough to beat a Kiltale side who were no match for Trim in round one Throw in will be at 7.30pm in Paddy O'Brien Park Navan on Friday evening. Prediction: Wolfe Tones.

Kilmessan v Trim

In this second string clash, there will be no love lost between the two most successful clubs in Meath hurling, however the Reds should prove too strong for the newly promoted Kilmessan at Rathmolyon on Friday, 7.30pm. Prediction: Kilmessan.

Boardsmill v Kildalkey

This is probably the most competitive clash of this round. To their credit, Kildalkey were impressive in their win over Kilmessan but Boardsmill should still have too much in reserve in Dunganny on Saturday (4.30pm) and should come away with the win. Prediction: Boardsmill.