Saturday's Round 1 Hurling Championship Team News

After stepping up a gear on Friday evening when there were two games scheduled, the hurling championship action cranks up another few notches on Saturday when there are two Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear, Trim SHC games and two further JM Food Services IHC fixtures down for decision.

There is though one game postponed as the JM Food Services Intermediate Hurling Championship Group A opening round clash of St. Peter’s Dunboyne and Gaeil Colmcille is now off. The Competitions Control Committee (CCC) will issue details of the refixture in the coming days.

Páirc Tailteann hosts a double header of action in the Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear, Trim SHC with a game apiece across Groups A and B.

The second game of the double header sees reigning champions Kildalkey coming up against the 2022 champions Trim in a fascinating encounter. Trim were defeated in the LMES Ltd. Division 1 League Final almost two weeks ago and they will be eager to lay down a marker against the standard bearers. Kyle Ennis, Meath Minor captain last year, is an exciting addititon to their attacking ranks and he gets the nod to start after his impressive showing as a replacement in that League decider. He is joined in the new look inside line by Josh Harris and Mikey Cole, with James Murray leading the attack from centre forward.

There is a settled look to the Kildalkey side which is once more captained by that ever reliable corner back, David Conneely. Reigning Hurler of the Year Brendan McKeon occupies the other corner back berth, with David Harmon at centre back. Mark Healy and Brian O’Halloran form an effective midfield pairing and much will depend on Paddy Conneely and Nicky Potterton up front.

The opening game on the double header sees Longwood and Blackhall Gaels meet in what is a repeat of their Round 2 meeting almost twelve months ago when Blackhall Gaels came out on top by 2-19 to 1-11 in Kiltale.

Blackhall Gaels have an exceptional midfield pairing of team captain Stephen Morris and Shane Whitty and if they can exert dominance around the middle third then it will be a major step towards securing the two points. Mickey Burke continues to be a key player for Longwood and while he is named at top of the right, it would be no surprise to see him given a roving role, with Anthony Healy likely to shoulder a lot of the scoring responsibility.

The two JM Food Services IHC games which go ahead are the Group A meeting of Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Navan O’Mahonys which is a repeat of their semi-final meeting last September which O’Mahonys won by five points. Darragh O’Sullivan is absent for the ‘Moors and this is a significant blow but they picked up an impressive win in the last round of the League which leaves them well placed for this encounter.

The other fixture sees newly promoted St. Patrick’s meeting season Intermediate side Rathmolyon in Ratoath and it could prove to be a baptism of fire for the East Meath side against the Andrew Dermody managed team.

All of today’s games are all ticket and tickets are available here: Tickets