Hurling semi-finals this Saturday
This Saturday will see the Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Finals taking place in Athleague.
Champions Oran will be hoping to continue their title defence while Four Roads will be eager to reclaim the title, although Pádraig Pearses and Athleague may have something to say about that!
Seamus Duke looks ahead to what promise to be two cracking semi-finals…
Kepak Roscommon SHC Semi-Finals on Saturday in Athleague
Oran v Pádraig Pearses at 5 pm
The champions will be under pressure to get to another final but it will be a difficult task against Pearses, especially as Oran are short a few players through injury. Pearses have been consistent rather than spectacular so far in this championship. They have excellent performers in Tomas Seale, Daniel Glynn, Shane Naughton, Paul Dolan and Oisin Kelly and they have a nice blend of younger and older players.
Oran will be depending on the likes of Jerry Fallon, Shane McDermott, Gearoid Keenan, Eamonn Kenny and Mike Dwyer. The formbook would point to Pearses but Oran have been training hard in recent weeks and they might just edge it by a point or two.
Prediction: Oran
Four Roads v Athleague at 6.30 pm
These old rivals clash in the second match and there is enough evidence on recent form that Athleague might have a chance here. Seamus Qualter’s charges are certainly improving and they will be looking to the likes of Eamon Flanagan, Gary and Robbie Fallon, David Delaney, Eamon Bannon and Cormac Kelly to lead them in what is sure to be a very keenly contested encounter.
Four Roads have reached this stage without any fuss and they are anxious to reclaim the title. Micheal Kelly, Shane Curley, Mark McLoughlin, Johnny Coyne, Johnny Moran, Conor Coyle, David Dolan and Jamie Lawlor have loads of experience at this level. It should be a close game but it is impossible to oppose Four Roads.
Prediction: Four Roads
