Exciting fare promised in Under-21 football championship
DEFENDING champions Newmarket begin their quest for a four in a row of Duhallow U21 A Football Championship titles on a meeting against Boherbue in Knocknagree on Friday night.
For the campaign ahead, ten teams are involved in the top level. From five first round games, five winners winners will be joined in the quarter finals by two victors from back door games in addition to a defeated team that receives a bye from round 1.
The opening tussle will see Boherbue present a formidable challenge to the reigning holders under the guidance of Jerry O'Connor and Denis McCarthy.
Newmarket's three in a row came about with some testing assignments within Duhallow. However, out in the county, Newmarket credited themselves well climaxing on a runner up place to St Finbarrs in the 2008 county final. The bulk of those teams have passed but with the likes of John Ryan and John Lane on board, Newmarket will be difficult to dislodge.
The appealing clash of Kanturk and Millstreet takes place in Kiskeam on Friday night where both sides will look to emerging talent as future development. Kanturk fell to Newmarket in the last two campaigns but victory in the divisional JAFC will instil confidence in a side built around county players Lorcan McLoughlin and Aidan Walsh.
Millstreet look to promising talent that emerged at minor level, fronted by Mark Ellis and Darren Sheehan though though they will lack the experience of their opponents.
Dromtariffe host Kiskeam offers an interesting encounter. The home side look to the guiding focus of Shane Murphy and Johnny O'Sullivan. Kiskeam are sure to offer a competitive challenge in a side centring on Daniel Fitzgerald and Mike Casey.
Cullen home to Knocknagree whets the appetite in a local derby tussle. Knocknagree put together a battling showing in two meetings against Newmarket last season and seek out a positive return from Pat Dennehy and Matthew Daly. For their part, Cullen attempt to create inroads. Dermot Hickey and Jerry O'Connor are competent players with plenty of junior experience.
Lyre face visiting Kilbrin whee again, little is expected to separate the sides. Daniel Murphy and Rory O'Connor enjoyed spells with the Duhallow u20 side as did the versatile William Egan with Kilbrin.
The pairings for the back door games sees the losers of Dromtariffe and Kiskeam face the loser to the loser of the Kiskeam and Lyre tie. Whoever loses between Millstreet and Kanturk can avail of a meeting against Cullen or Knocknagree. Boherbue and Newmarket will both advance to the quarter final.
A game in the 9 aside C grade sees Rockchapel home to Ballydesmond on Saturday.
