Kilkenny SHC Preview- Big clashes in store as club action goes up another level

It’s set to be a bumper weekend of club action in Kilkenny with the St Canice's Credit Union Senior quarter-finals down for decision.

The top eight clubs in the county will do battle in a bid to make the semi-finals.

There is no easing into the action either with Thomastown and Shamrocks meeting in a huge derby clash in John Locke Park on Saturday at 1.30pm.

While Thomastown adapted to life at senior level very much at their ease when winning the first three league games, their form has taken a bit of a nosedive and they’ve now lost three on the bounce including the shield final to Mullinavat.

Traditionally though, you’d take any form from that game with a bit of a pinch of salt and Thomastown eyes were very much on this game as they rested a number of stars including John Donnelly who was one of the standout performers during the league.

It’s a game the intermediate winners will really relish and they definitely have the ammunition to hurt the Ballyhale side.

As well as John Donnelly, there’s class all over the field including the likes of Robbie Donnelly, Luke Connellan, Peter McDonald and Zach Bay Hammond and if they catch fire, they will be in with a decent shout of causing a mild upset.

This will give us a first real indication of how far away Thomastown are from the main contenders.

Shamrocks will very much be on high alert and fresh from a high profile first round victory over James Stephens, they will be tough opponents to conquer.

With TJ Reid, Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody’s influence been added to by the likes of Niall Shortall stepping up to the mark, last year’s beaten finalists have put a disappointing league campaign behind them.

With so much aces to fire and in so many places, it’s hard to look beyond the Shamrocks who should do enough to advance by a couple of points.

After a brief break in the schedule, all eyes will then turn to Canon Kearns Park where Tullaroan and Bennettsbridge clash at 4.30pm.

If their clash from last year’s championship is anything to go by, this is a game not to be missed.

Outside of the Shamrocks, these are arguably the two main pretenders to O’Loughlin Gaels senior crown and whoever comes out on top will fancy their chances of making County Final day.

Liam Blanchfield ran riot when scoring 4-2 when the teams met in 2023 and the Bridge will be hoping their main man in attack can have a similar impact on this occasion.

Tullaroan weren’t quite themselves last term however and you can expect Ken Coogan’s outfit to put in a much improved showing.

If Tullaroan can get a handle on the Blanchfield’s which is a lot more easier said than done of course and they can get enough supply of ball to Shane Walsh, Gearoid Dunne and Mossy Keoghan then they may have enough in the tank to overturn the 2023 result but of all the weekend’s games, this is one that could go all the way to extra-time and as we seen last week don’t rule out penalties.

The third of the quarter-finals involving Mullinavat and Erin’s Own provides a huge opportunity for one of the clubs.

Ever since their promotion to senior level, the ’Vat have become accustomed to competing at this level of the competition but taking the next step has been the issue for the South Kilkenny outfit.

Colm O’Byrne’s side may never have a better opportunity to make the semi-final breakthrough and they will be eager to grasp it with both hands.

The ’Vat and ’Comer met in the opening round of the league with Mullinavat running out convincing winners but it’s fair to say that Erin’s Own will be a much different proposition on this occasion.

A sensational comeback that saw them defeat Glenmore in a relegation semi-final a fortnight ago will give them a huge jolt of confidence as they travel to Nowlan Park in a bit of bonus territory if we are truthful.

Kilkenny stars Conor Delaney and Conor Fogarty will look to shut down the threat of John Walsh who has lit up the year thus far for Mullinavat.

Mullinavat are far from a one man band though and with an attack that includes players like Ger Malone and Oisin Knox, they are determined to get over their quarter-final hoodoo.

Last, but by no means least, in the senior hurling programme is the meeting of city neighbours O’Loughlin Gaels and Dicksboro.

O’Loughlins come into this game as the raging hot championship favourites and based on their league form, they look an even more polished outfit than the one that proved too good for everyone in Kilkenny in 2023.

This game comes with a massive health warning for the county champions however as Dicksboro are very much coming into this under the radar and with the talent at their disposal, they are more than capable of upsetting the apple cart.

It’s only this time last year that they went into quarter-final weekend looking like the team to beat before their season came to an end at the hands of the Shamrocks.

The Palmerstown outfit have plenty to prove in the continued absence of Tom Kenny and Andy Gaffney but with Cork senior selector Donal O’Rourke still on board, they will certainly have a plan to dethrone the champions.

O’Loughlins will know what’s coming and there will likely not be much between the teams but with Kilkenny players Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler and Paddy Deegan manning the defence and an improving forward unit at their disposal, they should keep their title hopes intact come the final whistle.

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