The best hurling games across Ireland this weekend

Niall McIntyre

The county championships are hotting up all over now.

The men’s All-Irelands are over and the club game is taking over for the next few months. The club lads have been waiting patiently and training hard since April and they’ve been gearing up for these games for months.

The county lads have all slotted back in now and it’s time for them to get things going with the club and it’s time for the club lads to put up their hands for the county panels.

There were some competitive club hurling games all over the country last weekend. The Tipperary senior hurling championship came to life with Drom and Inch beating Thurles Sarsfields, setting up a three way play off over ten days as a result.

Things were also interesting in Kilkenny with the fancied Mullinavat brought down a peg by Dicksboro while Ballyhale Shamrocks showed they’re not going away anytime soon.

Portumna were beaten in Galway, as were Cappataggle while the reigning champions Liam Mellows drew with Tommy Larkins.

It’s time to look at this weekend’s games. We’ve picked out the headline games from the hurling counties around the country with our selections in bold.

Tipperary club hurling

The Mid final and North Tipperary semi final are the only two senior games taking place in the county this weekend. Both winners advance to the quarter final of the county championships.

Mid Tipperary final (Sunday, 3.00)

Loughmore-Castleiney 2/1 V Thurles Sarsfields 4/9

The Sars are bidding for a fifth successive Dan Breen this year but their loss to Drom last week in the county shows that chinks may be emerging in their armour. Loughmore, on the other hand, have been flawless. John and Noel McGrath have been flying it and they’re tipped to upset the odds here.

Verdict: Loughmore-Castleiney win

North Tipperary semi final (Saturday, 5.00)

Nenagh Éire Óg 8/13 v Kiladangan 6/4

Should be a real dinger of a game. The only reason we’re siding with the Dangan is the price. These are two evenly matched teams but Kiladangan seemed to have had the golden touch in recent times and the return of Willie Connors from America will be a huge boost for them.

Verdict: Kiladangan win

Kilkenny club hurling (All Saturday at 5.00)

Round five of the always competitive Kilkenny SHC takes place this weekend. Here are the pick of the games. The rest of the fixtures are available here.

Danesfort 4/6 V Erin’s Own 11/8

Richie Hogan and Paul Murphy’s club should be buoyed by their one point derby win over Bennetsbridge last week, and they’re tipped to take it in this bottom of the table clash.

Verdict: Danesfort win

St Canices Senior Hurling League
What a finish for our boys, heart and belief. pic.twitter.com/hvWjgxgBUx

— Danesfort GAA & Camogie Club (@DanesfortCLG) September 1, 2018

Mullinavat 1/2 V St Patrick’s Ballyragget 7/4

Mullinavat had been cantering through this championship up to last week when reigning champions Dicksboro brought them down to earth. They’ll be eager to bounce back and should do just that against Ballyragget, who have been up and down in their debut senior season.

Verdict: Mullinavat win

Best of luck to the lads in their final @StCanicesCU @KilkennyCLG SHL round 5 clash with @stpatsbally at @JohnLockesGAA at 5pm on Saturday 8/Sept next.
Once again the club would encourage as many supporters as possible to attend and support the lads.https://t.co/71eXmwY9cQ… pic.twitter.com/QL9RqzLl6P

— Mullinavat GAA (@GAAMullinavat) September 4, 2018

James Stephen’s 8/15 V Clara 13/8

It’s a dead rubber for Clara who’s main aim will be to avoid injuries for their relegation play-off in two weeks time. A win for the Village will send them straight through to the quarters. That should be enough for them.

Verdict: James Stephen’s win

Wexford club hurling

It’s round five of the Wexford SHC this weekend. Here are the fixtures.

Oulart the Ballagh 1/3 V Rathnure 12/5

The Wexford kingpins won’t go down without a fight and they’re in dire need for the two points. They were unlucky last time out against Gorey but they should bounce back here.