Kiltale and Na Fianna will renew rivalries in a crucial SHC clash in Trim this Saturday.

Jostling for positions to ramp up a notch

Image 1 of 2
Kiltale and Na Fianna will renew rivalries in a crucial SHC clash in Trim this Saturday. John Quirke

Image 2 of 2
Pairc Tailteann on Sunday will be the place to be when Kildalkey and Ratoath face off in the SHC again. John Quirke

Fergal Lynch

Published: Fri 4 Aug 2023, 1:16 PM

The starting grid for the knockout stages of the SHC is already beginning to take shape and after this weekend's round three of fixtures the route to Jubilee Cup success will get a little clearer.

Of course nothing will be definitively decided, but with the top two in Group A advancing to the semi-finals Trim and Kildalkey will be hoping to maintain their tag as the only unbeaten sides in the group.

SHC

GROUP A

Killyon v Trim: With a wedding in their camp this weekend Trim will bid to make it three from three when they get this latest round of fixtures underway in Longwood on Thursday evening. For many of the Trim players this will be their third big championship game in 10 days, but Killyon might struggle to take advantage of any possible fatigue.

Verdict - Trim.

Na Fianna v Kiltale: If Kiltale are to maintain their hopes of pushing for a place directly to the semi-finals they cannot afford any more slip-ups. For Na Fianna the importance of this game is a little more urgent as another defeat will almost certainly leave them out of the running altogether. Na Fianna put up a decent showing against Trim last time out, but with Mark Slevin out with a knee injury and Kiltale showing glimpses of a return to their best against Ratoath the Grange men look the ones most likely to succeed in Trim on Saturday at 6.30pm.

Verdict - Kiltale.

Kildalkey v Ratoath: Following a less than convincing opening round win over Killyon, Ratoath then lost out to Kiltale in round two and know that another slip up or two will put their place in the knockout stages in jeopardy. However, no matter how hard they try they are likely to find a resurgent and impressive Kildalkey too hot to handle at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday (4pm).

Verdict - Kildalkey.

GROUP B

Kilmessan v Blackhall Gaels: This is an absolutely huge game in Kiltale on Friday (7.30pm). With only two teams to progress to the last six Blackhall Gaels remain unbeaten, but Kilmessan bounced back after their opening round loss to Clann na nGael to see off Dunderry and give themselves hope. The winner of their game will take a giant leap towards that quarter-final spot and it looks as if Blackhall Gaels might just have a little too much for a Kilmessan side that is blooding a lot of young exciting talent.

Verdict - Blackhall Gaels.

Clann na nGael v Longwood: This is last chance saloon for Longwood in Kildalkey on Friday if they are to harbour any ambitions of making the knockout stages. A third defeat will leave them out of the running and they couldn't have asked for a tougher game to try to get their bid back on track. Clann na nGael are two wins from two and look like the best side in Group B, expect them to back that up here. Verdict - Clann na nGael.

Dunderry v St Peter's: It is never easy for intermediate champions when they step up to senior hurling and Dunderry are certainly feeling that pain. A heartbreaking loss to Blackhall Gaels in the opening round looks to have deflated them and after their heavy loss to Kilmessan last time out they will find St Peter's a tough nut to crack in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday (2.15pm). A win for the Dunboyne puts them back in the frame, so expect them to be smiling.

Verdict - St Peter's.

IHC

GROUP A

Boardsmill v Kildalkey: Kildalkey have a scoring difference of +46 from their two games - and this is their second team. Boardsmill were held to a draw by Drumree last time out and they might find the class of this talent-laden Kildalkey side too hot to handle on Friday in Rathmolyon.

Verdict - Kildalkey.

Drumree v Rathmolyon: Undoubtedly the tie of the round on Saturday in Batterstown. Rathmolyon need to win to main their push for a top four finish. Drumree have three points from their two games and a win here would edge them towards the semi-final, but a hungry Rathmolyon might have other ideas. Verdict - Rathmolyon.

Navan O'Mahonys v Gaeil Colmcille: Both sides have lost to Kildalkey, O'Mahonys by 20 points and Gaeil Colmcille by 26 points. Whoever loses this one in Athboy on Sunday will be out of the reckoning for a quarter-final and expect that to be the decimated Kells men.

Verdict - Navan O'Mahonys

GROUP B

St Peter's v Trim: This could be the key game in determining who joins Kilskyre/Moylagh in the knockout stages. Trim have a hectic schedule, whereas St Peter's don't have too many dual players. That might swing things the Dunboyne men's way in Dunshaughlin on Saturday. Verdict - St Peter's.

Wolfe Tones v Donaghmore/Ashbourne: Donaghmore/Ashbourne are an emerging force on the hurling front and they are more than capable of winning in Ratoath on Saturday. Such a scenario was unlikely a couple of years ago, but the Moores are improving.

Verdict - Donaghmore/Ashbourne.

Kilskyre/Moylagh v Kilmessan: One way traffic in Dunderry on Saturday. Kilmessan were beaten by 36 points last time out, and it might be more of the same here.

Verdict - Kilskyre/Moylagh.

JHC

St Patrick's v Kildalkey: Clash of the top two. Using their respective wins over Ratoath as a guide it the Stamullen men who get the nod.

Verdict - St Patrick's.

Killyon v Drumree: Killyon managed a win over St Patrick's first time out and that will sustain their belief. Verdict - Killyon.

Kiltale v Ratoath: Hard to see anything other than a second win for Kiltale and a third loss for Ratoath.

Verdict - Ratoath.