Attention turns to Leinster trail for Kilkenny clubs

St Lachtain’s victory over Windgap in last Saturday’s JJ Kavanagh and Sons Junior Hurling Championship Final brought an end to the county championship in Kilkenny but, as is the case with the GAA calendar, eyes will almost immediately switch to the upcoming Leinster campaign.

The Freshford lads will have no doubt enjoyed the last few days but as we pass the midway point of the week, the junior champions will soon switch their attention towards their Leinster Championship opener at home to Drumcullen of Offaly on Sunday afternoon (UPMC Nowlan Park, 1.30pm).

While it’s a very quick eight-day turnaround for St Lachtain’s, it’s very much the opposite for their opponents this weekend.

Drumcullen won’t even arrive to Noreside with silverware in their back pocket as they were beaten by Coolderry’s second team in the Offaly intermediate final over a month ago but with no second teams permitted to advance to provincial competition, the beaten finalists go forward as the Faithful County’s representation.

Losing out to a second team by six points in that county final in Birr means their formline is hard to gauge but given Freshford accounted for James Stephens in similar enough circumstances a few weeks ago they will be strong favourites to advance.

Kilkenny’s other hurling representatives in Thomastown (senior) and Lisdowney (intermediate) will get another week before they begin their provincial campaigns but there is further Leinster action on the local front this Saturday albeit with the bigger ball.

Like Conahy last week, Kilkenny senior football winners Dicksboro will look to put a long spell of inactivity behind them as they entertain Kildare intermediate champions Caragh in the Leinster IFC quarter-final at Pairc Lachtain, Freshford where there is also a 1.30pm throw-in.

Caragh who have a couple of Lilywhite senior stars in their ranks will have the advantage of already tasting Leinster action after defeating Meath champions Meath Hill last Saturday.