The clock is ticking and excitement is building ahead of the start of this year’s Club Hurling Championships, which will get under way next Friday, June 30.
There are two matches down for decision in both the Pettitt’s Senior Hurling Championship and The Courtyard Ferns Intermediate Hurling Championship that night. Round 1 action will then continue throughout the weekend, and by Sunday evening, some will be happy, some will be disappointed, but all will already be looking ahead to Round 2.
In the Pettitt’s Senior Hurling Championship, the Friday night action will see Oulart-The Ballagh (making their return to the senior ranks) take on Crossabeg/Ballymurn in Tagoat, while Glynn-Barntown will play Faythe Harriers in Chadwicks Wexford Park (both at 7.45 p.m.).
The other four matches will take place on Saturday as double-headers in Chadwicks Wexford Park and McCauley Park Bellefield. All could be close and exciting, and perhaps the pick of them is the second match in Chadwicks Wexford Park (7.45 p.m.), where reigning champions Ferns St. Aidans will take on Shelmalier – the only club to beat them in last year’s championship.
In The Courtyard Ferns Intermediate Hurling Championship, the Friday night fixtures are Askamore v Tara Rocks in Páirc Uí Siocháin, Gorey (8 p.m.) and a local derby between Buffers Alley and St. Brigid’s Blackwater in Hollymount (7.30 p.m.).
There’s another derby in store on Saturday as Gusserane O’Rahilly’s take on Horeswood (last year’s Intermediate ‘A’ winners). Another fixture to catch the eye that day is St. Mogue’s Fethard v Cloughbawn, as these two clubs will be among many people’s fancies to be at “the business end” of the championship later in the summer.
This year’s Joyces Expert Wexford Intermediate ‘A’ Hurling Championship looks like being competitive as ever. There will be particular interest in the fortunes of Liam Mellows (last year’s runners-up), Ballygarrett (relegated from Intermediate last year), and Davidstown-Courtnacuddy (promoted from Junior).
Liam Mellows start their campaign against St. Martin’s; Ballygarrett take on Duffry Rovers; and Davidstown-Courtnacuddy will face up to St. Mary’s Rosslare.
Meanwhile, all the action in both the Kavanagh Meats – The Traditional Meat Company Junior and Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championships will take place at club grounds rather than neutral venues, as has been the norm in recent years. The fixtures include several intriguing match-ups, and significant local interest is anticipated.
The full line-up of fixtures for all championships is as follows:
Tickets for matches in the Pettit’s Senior Hurling Championship, The Courtyard Ferns Intermediate Hurling Championship and the Joyces Expert Wexford Intermediate ‘A’ Hurling Championship will go on sale via www.wexfordgaa.ie/tickets in the week of the games.
No tickets are required for matches in the Kavanagh Meats – The Traditional Meat Company Junior and Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championships, but the host clubs may charge an entry fee.
