Any word on starting date for Hurling Championship?? How are clubs shaping up in the League for Championship? Usual Title challengers for year ahead, Kiltale, Kilmessan and Kildalkey.
Killyon notably going well in league, as are Kilmessan from the games / results I have seen. The start of the championship is usually around the June Bank Holiday weekend, but this depends on how the Meath hurlers do. Looking at their draw, they should account for Wicklow so that guarantees them a quarter final at the very least (16th of May) I would imagine the weekend of the 6th & 7th will be the first round of championship games, unless Meath Reach Christy Ring Final.
Usual contenders are Kiltale Kilmessan and Kildalkey, with Killyon having an easy draw, they will be at the business end of the championship also. The other group is considerably harder, with 5 of the 6 teams having genuine aspirations of qualifying for the knock out stages. From the group of death Kiltale and Kilmessan will qualify, and then I think Dunboyne or Longwood. Trim are missing Colm Doyle this year and may suffer from the dreaded 'Second Year Syndrome'. Boardsmill will be no push overs but may be resigned to a relegation play off.
A very interesting prospect from Group B, the so called weaker group, is that every team will hope to Qualify. Kildalkey and Killyon will battle it out for a direct route to the Semi Final in the tie of the first round. Dunderry Navan Rathmolyan and Blackhall will all feel there is a quarter final birth awaiting them, particularly if they can turn over Kildalkey or Killyon at some stage.
Na Fianna will be red hot favourites for the intermediate title, having being relegated last year, and will have the services of Pat O Halloran to call on. Drumree Wolfe Tones and Ratoath the pick of the remaining teams.