Hurling & Camogie

Ulster Hurling Club Sidelines

KEY MAN: Middletown's Nathan Curry has been a mainstay in the Na Fianna side for many years Picture Margaret McLaughlin
KEY MAN: Middletown's Nathan Curry has been a mainstay in the Na Fianna side for many years Picture Margaret McLaughlin KEY MAN: Middletown's Nathan Curry has been a mainstay in the Na Fianna side for many years Picture Margaret McLaughlin

Ulster Intermediate Hurling Club Championship semi-finals

Middletown Na Fianna (Armagh) v Eire Og, Carrickmore (Tyrone)

(tomorrow, Corrigan Park, 12.45pm)

MIDDLETOWN are able to return to the intermediate grade as it is five years since their 2011 Ulster title, and they will feel that they have more than a puncher’s chance of collecting more silverware.

They won two games during their time at senior level, both against Lisbellaw, and manager Martin Curry hasn’t had to deal with too many changes during his time in charge.

They will be spear-headed by the Carvill cousins, David and Cahal, Ryan Gaffney, Nathan Curry, Paddy McBride and Kevin McKernan.

Declan McKillop is in charge of Eire Og and they will have a stronger squad than they did in the county final win over Eoghan Ruadh after getting a few men back.

That was their fourth county title on the bounce with Aidan Kelly (2) and Tony Hughes helping them to a 3-11 to 0-12 win.

Verdict: Middletown

Lavey (Derry) v Patrick Sarsfields (Antrim)

(tomorrow, Davitt Park, 2.30pm)

BOTH Lavey and Patrick Sarsfields had convincing quarter-final wins and this looks set up for a real battle in Lurgan.

Johnny McGarvey’s Lavey side ruthlessly took care of Liatorim last weekend with Paddy Henry racking up an incredible 1-13 in the 27-point win. Cailean O’Boyle, with 3-3, also had a day to remember.

The Antrim champions, who will be in Ulster Junior football action next weekend, also had an easy day at the office as they took care of Castleblayney.

Kevin McKernan continued his scintillating form with 11 points, seven from play, while Niall McKenna’s 0-8 haul also caught the eye.

It’s hard to see either side running away with this game but the Derry side should make it through to the final 16 years after reaching the senior equivalent.

Verdict: Lavey

Ulster Junior Hurling Club Championship semi-final

Mullahoran, St Joseph’s (Cavan) v Na Magha (Derry)

(tomorrow, Gavan Duffy Park, 2.30pm)

MULLAHORAN are searching to become the first ever Cavan side to reach an Ulster Club hurling final and they will take lots of confidence from last week’s win over Naomh Colum Cille.

Kevin Conneely, Philip Brady and Derrick Dalton were prominent in the three-point win.

Na Magha easily disposed of Carrickmacross with Deaglan Foley, Tim Rankin and Aodhan O’Donnell grabbing their goals. They should n’t encounter too many problems here either.

Verdict: Na Magha

Ulster Junior Hurling Club Championship quarter-final replay

Derrynoose (Armagh) v Gort na Mona (Antrim)

(tomorrow, Davitt Park, 12.45pm)

LATE scores at the end of 60 minutes and 80 minutes ensured that Derrynoose would get a second chance against Gort na Mona.

Peter McKearney scored the first of those and he set up Stephen Keenan for the equaliser at the end of extra-time.

Gort na Mona suffered a major blow in the first game as free-taker Dessie McClean was dismissed, and his absence may allow to Orchard side to pull off a surprise.

Verdict: Derrynoose