Tyrone Hurling Championship Semi Final Preview

Wednesday 17.08.2011

Club

Due to a death in Derrytresk the CCC have moved the Power NI Semi-final Eoghan Ruadh V Naomhcolumcille to Brocagh at 7.15pm sharp on Thursday 18^th August.

Carrickmore Eire Og’s will know the identity of their 2011 Benburb Cup opposition tomorrow night, Thursday, as Dungannon Eoghain Ruadh and Naomh Colum Cille lock horns in the second of the Tyrone Senior Hurling Championship semi finals, at Brockagh.

Carrickmore having accounted for Strabane in Killyclogher last Saturday will have a keen interest in the outcome of the game, as they attempt to complete a third successive Benburb Cup success.

Dungannon having lost their title last year have gone about their business in a rather quiet and unassuming manner throughout 2011 and, they will travel to the ‘Hill’ in confident mood of upsetting the Naomh Colum Cille plans. The Cille’s marking their 25^th year in existence would dearly love to make the break through into their first ever Tyrone Senior Hurling Final because the club has been building steadily towards this aim for the last couple of seasons.

Success at Ulster Junior level and an All-Ireland Junior Club Final appearance suggests that they are growing in stature and, many believe now is the time to challenge the big two duopoly of Carrickmore and Dungannon for the most prized possession in Tyrone hurling – The Benburb Cup.

Dungannon have already defeated the Cille’s twice this season and, in players such as John Devlin, Stephen Donnelly, Damien Casey and Cathal McErlean they possess the talent capable of setting up another big two showpiece.

Naomh Colum Cille have been knocking on the door in recent seasons without ever threatening to break it down, but with Eoghain Ruadh losing players to Australia and other destinations many hold the opinion that they will never have a better chance to contest a first County Final.

With Sean Kelly, Niall O’Neill, Aidan Taggart, Seamus O’Hagan and goal poacher supreme Rory O’Neill leading their challenge, the Lough shore amalgamation won’t be far away. Dungannon have the experience but will that be enough to steer them over a youthful team driven by hunger? Time will tell.

Throw in at Derrytresk is 7:15pm and you can read the first reports here on Teamtalkmag.