Preview – Castlelyons v Youghal – Saturday 28.4.18 @ 7.45pm in K 2018-04-25 19:03:00

Well folks summer is with us again or is it! It’s championship time again and all roads lead to Killeagh for the first round of the county premier intermediate hurling championship versus Youghal at 7.45pm this Saturday with the local man Ger Scully from Killeagh an Reitóir. The last time these teams met back in October 2013 in the County Intermediate Final Youghal stole it in the dying moments of added time, so we look forward to a cracker again this time. Our lads have trained well all year and are having a good league campaign. Of course, we are down two mighty young men who won All Ireland intermediate medals with Cork and represented their county at U21, namely Colm Barry and Anthony Spillane. Both lads are recovering from serious injuries and we wish them well as recovery can be a lonely road. Also, we are missing younger stars Jamie and Keith O Leary through injury who have played intermediate championship in 2016. Our outfit that played Youghal in 2013 are much changed as thirteen of that panel of 26 are no longer involved which is a big turnover of players for a rural club. While Colm and Anthony are injured, Timmy McCarthy and Barry Fitzgerald have called time and several quality hurlers have emigrated or relocated to Dublin and elsewhere. It is a tribute to the Juvenile Club who continue to develop younger lads fit to hurl at this level.

Youghal who have had the facility of training right through the bad weather in Pilmore Park and on the beach will come to this game with a high degree of fitness. Richie Cunningham is an excellent goalie and John Grace a strong proven full back. Lee Desmond has returned to hurling again this year and a man with a mighty paw he is excelling at centre back. Cork star Bill Cooper will be partnered by the strong running Andrew Joyce in the middle while Alan Frahill O Connor provides both supply and room for their star forward Brendan Ring. James O Mahony and Brett Maloney are class forwards also. Just down from senior and with so much experience but quiet in the league this year and although not showing their hand they have had two great result against Ballinhassig and Cloyne recently and will be clear favourites for Saturday night’s game.

Our team for Saturday evening is not announced to date. Jack Barry, vice-captain of UCC is likely to feature in goals but will be pressed by that quality shot stopper Shane O Sullivan. Inter county man Colm Spillane should start at full back with Niall O Leary another intercounty man in the middle of the field. Captain Aidan O Sullivan is leading by example this year and will feature along the back line as will the teak tough Carroll brothers and Robbie Feeney. Eoin Maye is a worker supreme in the forwards and the Fenton’s Alan and Ronan are doing well up front. Overall, we have a good bunch of lads and coach Darren Tobin has worked hard with them as has Mick Spillane and his selectors. Despite Youghal’s strong favouritism tag the game will be close and if we hurl with spirit we could be there at the end. The membership between Adult, Juvenile and Camogie is now at its highest ever so let’s hit Killeagh with colours and bodhrans and roar on the lads. Caisleán Uí Liathán Abú

Castlelyons Main Sponsor: Zeus Packaging Group.




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