Will it be Trim or Kiltale who take a giant step towards the knockout stages?

From six to four and by the end of today, another side could be on the verge of exiting.  Yes, the race for the Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear, Trim Senior Hurling Championship is hotting up, with some of the runners having fallen as we enter the final game of the penultimate round.

Na Fianna had already exited the race but on Saturday evening, Kildalkey became the second side to exit as they lost out to Ratoath by four points in Kiltale.

Come half five this evening, the loser of Trim and Kiltale will be clinging on ahead of the final round of games in two weeks time.

Tickets for the games are available via the link:  Club Hurling Championship Tickets

Off the back of winning the JLD Access Division 1 Hurling League, Kiltale came into the Championship in sparkling form but they know that a defeat to Trim today could spell the death knell for their ambitions of claiming another Jubilee Cup as it would give Trim the head to head advantage over them should they end up in a tie for points at the conclusion of the round robin stage.

And that is a live possibility as Kiltale take on a Na Fianna side in two weeks that are currently pointless while Trim face a Ratoath side who will need a positive result if they themselves are to keep alive their ambitions of completing a famous three-in-a row.

Such is the cut throat nature of the newly formatted Championship structure, and how supporters are loving it this year.

There is a very strong spine to the defence of Kiltale with the peerless Shane McGann in goals, Iarla Hughes at full back and the wily James Kelly now operating at the heart of the defensive effort at six.

Philip Garvey is named at left half back but the suspicion lingers that he could well be designated to pick up James Murray wherever he roams in what would be a huge physical battle were it to come to pass.

Trim still remain without the services of James Toher and while in his absence the defence still remains solid, the real strength of the side lies in their attack.  David Murtagh is an excellent link player in the half forward line as is George Douglas on the opposite flank and inside the trio of Alan Douglas, Mikey Cole and Kyle Ennis are all potential match winners.

That said, there is no shortage of talent in the Kiltale attack either and the O’Sullivan brothers Mark and Hugh combined for nine points from play the last day out against Ratoath.  Ross Ryan was scoreless that day but it’s very seldom that he doesn’t score for two games in a row and the suspicion lingers that he could have a big showing today.

This match is likely to go the distance and a draw would leave both sides tied with Ratoath on five points, two behind table toppers Kilmessan going into the final round.  Don’t rule it out.

Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear, Trim Senior Hurling Championship Round 4

Trim vs Kiltale.  16:00.  Venue:  Devenish Park, Dunganny

Loman Dempsey Property Consultants Senior B Hurling Championship Round 4

Blackhall Gaels vs Killyon.  13:00.  Venue:  Kiltale

Navan O’Mahony’s vs Kilskyre/Moylagh.  13:00.  Venue:  Grangegodden (Gaeil Colmcille)

Longwood vs Dunderry.  13:00.  Venue:  Boardsmill

K Windows & Doors Junior Hurling Championship Round 3

Na Fianna vs Ratoath.  11:00.  Venue:  Baconstown

Saturday’s Results