*Keith Donnellan of O’Callaghans Mills. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.
O’CALLAGHANS Mills and the Banner begin their Munster club journeys this weekend.
Fresh from securing their return to the senior ranks, O’Callaghans Mills are back in the familiar surrounds of Cusack Park this weekend when they face off with Kerry champions Abbeydorney at 13:30 on Sunday.
Seán Doyle and his management team are pleased to have come through with no injuries for panellists following their Clare PIHC victory over Clarecastle. Selector Robbie Madden did sustain a knee injury amidst the celebrations a fortnight ago.
Having won the Kerry championship at the beginning of August, Abbeydorney have been without a competitive fixture for six weeks. They are managed by Ruan’s Francie O’Halloran who has said this is his final season with the club.
With a mix of experience and youth, a well-balanced Mills have been unbeaten so far in championship hurling this year. They will be looking to Conor Cooney, Colm Cleary, Cormac Murphy, Aidan O’Gorman, Seán Boyce, Gary Cooney, Jacob Loughnane and Killian Nugent to maintain that record by Sunday evening.
After defeating Ballyea 2-15 0-15 in the Junior A hurling final, Banner not alone secured promotion to the third tier but also kept their season going. They make the journey to Lemybrien in Waterford this Saturday to face Kilrossanty at 13:30.
Shane Meehan and Ronan Kilroy are among the key players for the Ennis club who have experience of competing in the provincial competition despite only winning the Junior A title for the first time.
