The 'Bridge and Gort look good for county final

STEPHEN GLENNON

TWO local derbies; two potentially cracking games that should leave the most cursory of hurling followers salivating at the mouth as old traditions and rivalries collide. So, lock up the children. Check the pacemakers. Batten down the hatches. The county championship senior hurling semi-finals are down for decision.

Down to the last four, the 2011 hurling championship – protracted as it may be – has come to life in recent weeks and now an array of possibilities have descended like a gentle Autumn mist. Sure, reigning All-Ireland club champions Clarinbridge firmly remain on course to add back-to-back titles, but the remaining contenders will all feel that they, too, have a genuine chance to rewrite the history books. 

The first of Sunday’s fascinating double bill pits 2008 county finalists and five-time senior championship winners, Gort against next door neighbours St. Thomas’ – an emerging side that has featured prominently in underage competitions, particularly minor and U-21, over the last decade or so.

In the other semi-final, another local derby pits reigning champs Clarinbridge against local rivals Craughwell, who are appearing in their first county semi-final since 2006 and just their second since 1932. 

At the other end of the spectrum, spare a thought for Castlegar and Kinvara. Having played out a cracking relegation semi-final last weekend, they meet again in Clarinbridge on Saturday morning (11:30am). For the victor comes redemption; for the loser, it’s an unenviable relegation final showdown against a dogged Padraig Pearses.

Gort v St. Thomas’(Kenny Park, Athenry, 2pm) With a clean bill of health, Gort manager Mattie Murphy may keep faith in the same starting XV that accounted for Loughrea in the quarter-final – although the contribution of Keith Killilea on his introduction will give Murphy food for thought.

No doubt, that 2-10 to 1-8 victory against the last year’s finalists will have imbued Gort will a greater degree of confidence heading into the penultimate stages, even if an experienced Murphy was keen to dampen expectation.

“There is no easy game from now on. I mean, our first half [against Loughrea] was a bit iffy and if it is as bad the next day we could be in trouble. Our backs were also to the wall in the second half. We were only a point up and it took a big effort to get a result.”

You could argue, however, that Gort have only begun, once again, to fulfil their potential, something the 2008 county finalists did not do when they failed to go beyond the group stage last year. “You know, they were a very young team when they were in that county final [in 2008], but now they are three years older and hopefully three years wiser,” says Murphy.

In any event, Gort now play their near neighbours in a county semi-final. “We know each other inside out at this stage; there are no state secrets between us. We have played them in two county U-21 finals in recent years, so the younger players would know each other very well. At this stage of the championship, though, you have to be up for it no matter who you are playing. But, yes, we are near neighbours and we are fierce rivals as well.”

St. Thomas’ boss John Burke insists Richie Murray – who has been suffering from a leg injury and has only played a limited amount of hurling as a substitute in recent games – is still not match fit to claim to a starting berth, but he remains optimistic.

“Local derbies are unpredictable; anything can happen, especially at this time of year, when a slip or the hop of ball can change a game so drastically,” says Burke. “Also, because the pitch and the weather conditions can be heavy, that can slow ball down, so you have to be prepared to go out and fight for every ball and put your body on the line.”

St. Thomas’ will be buoyed their victory over kingpins Portumna in their quarter-final. “I know Portumna were missing the two boys [Joe Canning and Andy Smith, both suspended], but they still were a well-seasoned team, with good experience, and they gave us a fierce fight. 

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.