Hurling & Camogie

Orchard boss facing baptism of fire

9/5/2015 Armaghs goalkeeper simon doherty   pic seamus loughran
9/5/2015 Armaghs goalkeeper simon doherty pic seamus loughran 9/5/2015 Armaghs goalkeeper simon doherty pic seamus loughran

Allianz National Hurling League Division 2B

Wicklow v Armagh

(tomorrow, Bray, 12.30pm)

NEW Armagh manager Paddy Kelly faces a baptism of fire as the Orchard County begin their Division 2B campaign away to Wicklow tomorrow afternoon.

The unavailability of the Middletown contingent due to their rearranged All-Ireland semi-final with Kanturk, along with a few other absentees, means that Kelly will be missing at least eight players from the team that started in predecessor Sylvester McConnell’s last game – the Nicky Rackard final loss against Derry last June.

The Orchard county have had a couple of good challenge matches in the build up to this fixture, including one against Dublin side Na Fianna last week, as they try to bounce back from last year’s relegation from 2A.

Kelly has appointed goalkeeper Simon Doherty as captain for the season and the manager will likely give game-time to emerging players like Paddy Quinn and Odhran McCann, both of whom have impressed greatly in those challenge matches.

Keady man Nathan Greene will also be pushing for a starting spot after his return to the panel.

Wicklow fielded two teams in the Leinster pre-season competitions with the A team playing in the Walsh Cup and the B side competing in the Kehoe Cup. The latter have a final to look forward to in two weeks’ time after a few impressive performances.

The decision of Stephen Kelly to commit to the hurlers this season is a massive boost for manager Seamus Murphy and the signs are really positive for the Garden county.

Wicklow lost to Meath in last year’s 2B final, and their plans to make amends should get off to a good start in Bray. That’s a result that would put Armagh on the back foot from the off.

Verdict: Wicklow

Mayo v Donegal

(tomorrow, Ballina, 2pm)

THIS will be Donegal’s third time competing in Division 2B in four years, and that can only mean one thing – a League opener against Mayo.

The Tir Chonaill men have competed well on their previous two clashes with the Connacht side, poor second halves proving their undoing in the eight- and four-point losses.

The fact that Donegal are back at this level is testament to the continued good work of the hurling fraternity in the county.

Once again the Burt club are a real driving force behind that, especially on the management side of things.

Mickey McCann has succeeded former clubmate Ardal McDermott as manager for the 2018 season. McDermott had taken over from Ray Durack in 2015, with the latter replacing McDermott as Burt boss.

This is no one-club project though and the fact that there’s likely to be no Setanta representation due to their All-Ireland commitments today will be sorely felt. The Ulster Junior champions have eight players in the squad, including key men Danny Cullen, Kevin Campbell and Declan Coulter.

McCann has already had some success off the field as he has coaxed Jamesie Donnelly out of retirement after he had called time on his career last May.

The Conor McGurk Cup also provided good build-up to the League as they came close to a final spot before a heavy loss to Down dashed those hopes.

Mayo will provide a significant step up in class though. The Westerners are expected to have their Toureen players back on board after last weekend’s All-Ireland Intermediate semi-final loss to Ballyragget.

Verdict: Mayo

Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A

Tyrone v Warwickshire

(tomorrow, Dungannon, 1pm)

TYRONE should enter the League season in confident mood after a very impressive January,

It may have only been a pre-season tournament, but the Conor McGurk draw with Antrim, as well as the win over Ulster University, would have pleased manager Mattie Lennon.

Tony Joyce’s Warwickshire are making big strides and won the Lory Meagher last year. They were promoted to accommodate Cavan in 3B and will be keen to prove that they belong at this level. Antrim man Niall McKenna will line out with them this season, but a home win looks a good bet.

Verdict: Tyrone

Longford v Monaghan

(tomorrow, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm)

TREVOR Hilliard is back for another year in charge of Monaghan and the Farney side will be determined to make up for last year having missed out on a final spot on scoring difference.

Longford were promoted from Division 3B last year, and they qualified for the Kehoe Cup final (to be played next month) after a three-point win over DCU last weekend.

Still though, this is the sort of game Monaghan must win if they are to secure a top-two spot.

Verdict: Monaghan

Allianz National Hurling League Division 3B

Lancashire v Fermanagh

(tomorrow, Allen Park, 1pm)

LANCASHIRE are preparing for their first ever National Hurling League game and Fermanagh must be careful having given tomorrow’s opponents their first Championship win.

That was in last season’s Lory Meagher Cup and Erne manager Sean Duffy will be hoping that his players have learned their lessons from that defeat.

Verdict: Fermanagh