Kilkenny Senior Hurling League set for Super Saturday conclusion
All six games take place at the same time with plenty to still be decided around the county
The group stages of the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League comes to an end this weekend when all 12 clubs battle it out for final positions ahead of the knockout championship in two weeks time.
The only thing certain as things stand is that Shamrocks Ballyhale are into a first senior league final in a decade. And, regardless of their result this weekend, Bennettsbridge are set to finish in the bottom two - but apart from that it is very much all to play for when the two groups commence for action.
Group A
The first group looks very competitive ahead of the final day with Thomastown and Graigue Ballycallan battling it out for league and shield final spots repsectively. Similarly Clara and Mullinvat face off to avoid relegation at the other end of the table.
Thomastown sit top of the standings on score difference as things stand ahead of a local derby meeting away with near neighbours Bennettsbridge. The Bridge have lost all four of their games thus far but they would love to end the league with a success over Thomastown even if the ‘Town will go into the game as big favourites. Noel Doherty’s men have put up some huge scores in the league to date and with the Donnelly’s very much to the fore and new players in the form of Ben Nevin and Daithi Barron have also showed well as the club looks to repeat the heroics of 2024 and a league final spot would be a decent start to the campaign.
At the other end of the table, there’s a huge meeting between Clara and Mullinavat in Dunnamaggin with the losers set for a battle against relegation while a round 1 championsip clash and safety awaits the winners. Both teams sit on one win and a draw as things stand with the two sides seeing off Benenttsbridge and a championship like meeting is anticipated.
It’s a tough one to call on paper, but backed by a decent display against Glenmore where they really should have taken home the win, the Glynn’s, David Barcoe and Chris Bolger amongst others have the ability to get Clara over the line.
The final game in the group is between Graigue Ballycallan and Glenmore with the South Kilkenny side looking all but safe so many eyes will be on Graigue Ballycallan with the Aaron McEvoy inspired side battling it out with Thomastown for that final place with a 14-point scoring difference seperating the teams as things stand.
Group B
With Shamrocks already into a league final after four wins from four, there are two shooutouts in the group with a Shield Final spot at stake as well as championship safety.
Dicksboro and Erin’s Own both currently sit on two points and they meet this Saturday knowing anything other than a win could leave them in bother with the final standings. Even a win wouldn’t fully assure either of their championship status, as a Danesfort win over an already qualified Shamrocks would bring head to head and score difference into it. With ‘Comer and the ‘Boro having defeated Danesfort already, the winners of that tie look to be in pole position to stay up.
The other big contest is between O’Loughlin Gaels and Tullaroan with a shield final spot and an automatic place in the championship quarter-finals up for grabs. Tullaroan only in need of a draw to confirm second spot. Second spot in the group would also allow the clubs to bypass the likes of a Thomastown or Shamrocks Ballyhale to at least a semi-final, so a victory would be very much appreciated.