Last four action and Junior B Final in store

The action in the Hurling Championships continues to crank up today (Saturday) with five semi-finals and one final down for decision, with a mouth watering triple header of action in store in Páirc Tailteann.

Tickets for all games this weekend in the Club Championships are available here: Club Hurling Championship Tickets

The Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear, SHC Semi-Final meeting of Trim and Kildalkey at 16:45 will be live-streamed by Clubber. This stream can be purchased here:Meath GAA Livestreams (Clubber)

The opening semi-final of the Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear, Trim SHC is a fascinating meeting of Trim and Kildalkey. Trim defeated Kildalkey in the opening round way back on July 13 and despite suffering a Round 4 defeat to Kilmessan, they held on to top the group on score difference over this evening’s opposition and Kilmessan.

One player who missed much of the group stage after picking up a hand injury was centre back James Toher but after returning for the footballers Relegation Playoff win last week, he is back to anchor the defensive effort today. Another player who could make a return to the side, albeit a more dramatic one, is Alan Douglas who is named among the replacements. Douglas has spent the year abroad and has yet to hurl a minute for Trim this year.

There is little doubt that much of the strength in this Trim side lies in their attacking ability and James Murray at centre forward has been shooting the lights out to date. He is flanked by two experienced members of the panel who have missed much of the Championship to date for varying reasons with James Andrews at right half forward and Pa Ryan on the opposite wing of the attack.

Inside, Mikey Cole was firing the goals in for fun in the early rounds but they have since dried up. Can he find a way to turn the taps on again while Josh Harris is one of the new faces in the side on the edge of the square. A scaffolder by trade, he’ll be looking to scale the heights in Páirc Tailteann. The full forward line is completed by Mark Molloy who we are more used to seeing around midfield and it would be a surprise if he was to spend much time in the corner.

13-07-24, 2024 Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear, Trim – Senior Hurling Championship – Group A at Pairc Tailteann. Trim v Kildalkey Photo: Paula Greif 2024 www.sportsaction.ie

The nature of that opening round loss to Trim has stung Kildalkey and been like an open wound all summer. The only thing that would soothe the pain of it would be to turn around in Páirc Tailteann seventy-eight days later and inflict a mortal wound on their opponents Championship aspirations.

They were very impressive at the quarter final stage when dispatching Kiltale but will be all too aware that a level or two will need to be moved up if Trim are to be defeated.

Brian O’Halloran who has been in exceptional form to date, was held scoreless in that game and it would be a shock of seismic proportions if that was to happen for a second game in succession. Evan Fitzgerald missed that game in July but since his return to the side, the player who got Man of the Match in the 2023 County Final has been showcasing all his talents. Another who has been impressive is Brin Kelly at full back who has been as safe as money locked in a Swiss Vault.

But behind him has been a young man who has taken to Senior Hurling like a duck to water. Cam Smyth made his SHC debut in the Round 1 meeting of the sides and has done excellently since that game. He’s likely to come under pressure at times today but everything Cam has shown to date suggests he’ll be well able for it.

13-07-24, 2024 Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear, Trim – Senior Hurling Championship – Group A at Pairc Tailteann Trim v Kildalkey Photo: Paula Greif 2024 www.sportsaction.ie

The middle game on the triple header of action in the county grounds sees Rathmolyon and Navan O’Mahonys meet in the penultimate round of the JM Food Services Intermediate Hurling Championship.

Rathmolyon came through the group stages with a record of four wins and one draw but in the end they were steeped to come away with a draw against Boardsmill in the final round. That late Houdini Act saw them top the group and book straight passage to the last four. Quite whether that break was a good or a bad thing will only become clear over the course of today’s game.

Andrew Dermody dons the Bainisteoir bib for The Village and whatever it is that he does, there are men in Rathmolyon who speak about him in more reverential tones than they do about any member of their families.

As ever they will look to the likes of the Ennis brothers, Simon and Jarlath to lead they way but one of their leading lights to date has been young Sean Howley at centre back. He has been superb throughout the Championship with his ability to read the play being a hallmark of his displays. Joey Christie came off the bench against Boardsmill and took the game by the scruff of the neck as he landed eight points to drag his side back for the draw and is rewarded for that display with a starting spot at top of the right.

O’Mahonys only lost out in the final of this competition after a replay eleven months ago and they exacted a modicum of revenge two weeks ago when taking reigning champions Kildalkey out at the death. Jack Walsh with the sniper like shot to take the champions down deep in stoppage time.

Jack McConnell was superb in that win as he covered every blade of grass in Páirc Tailteann and he had a more than capable accomplice in the midfield exchanges in the form of Paddy Dillon. Both of these will need to replicate those performances today and probably add a bit more to it.

Shane McCarthy didn’t catch fire the last day at full forward and was called ashore during the second half but there is little doubt that he will bounce back to his best and he possesses all the attributes to give the Rathmolyon full back line a tough day a the office today.

The K Windows & Doors sponsored Junior B Hurling Championship Final gets the days action underway at 12:45 and it sees the first of the three Kilmessan sides into action this weekend in what is a remarkable achievement. Two finals and the Senior semi-final will be contested in 27 hours.