We begin our defence of the PJ Stenson Cup tomorrow Saturday away to Dunderry. Meath GAA have previewed the Div 2 contest…..
Division 2A – Dunderry, Kiltale/Boardsmill & Wolfe Tones.
| Aug 29 | 1pm | Dundery | v | Kiltale / Boardsmill | Venue – Dunderry |
| Sept 5 | 1pm | Wolfe Tones | v | Loser of Dunderry v Kiltale / Boardsmill | Venue- TBC |
| Sept 19 | 1pm | Wolfe Tones | v | Winner of Dunderry v Kiltale / Boardsmill | Venue – TBC |
Dunderry – With the Intermediate Hurling side having a disappointing Championship this year, it would be a massive boost for the small ball game in the parish if their Minors were to go on a good run in the MHC. Their form in the Minor Hurling League was encouraging and they have a home semi-final to look forward to when it resumes in the coming months. In Mark Nolan they have a shrewd operator on the sideline and with him in charge the team will be very well set up.
County Minor panellist Jack Fagan leads the team as captain and along with the Coogan’s (Cian and Liam), he will be the driving force behind their ambitions to land the PJ Stenson Cup. Their opening round game against Kiltale/Boardsmill will be crucial and if the League form holds through then Dunderry will be confident of victory but Kiltale are likely to have improved significantly from the form they showed back in February and March.
Manager – Mark Nolan. Selectors – Matthew Duffy & Paddy Darcy. Captain – Jack Fagan.
Kiltale/Boardsmill – Kiltale won the PJ Stenson Cup twelve months ago and this year they go in search of another success combined with Boardsmill. The Spring League was something of a disappointment for the team, but they have regrouped post lockdown and come into the Championship confident that they have turned a corner and are now on an upward curve. This is a difficult group and it will come as no surprise if the teams end up with a win apiece meaning score difference comes into play.
How they ultimately fare could depend on who lines out and if Eoghan Frayne steps across the white line on Saturday then Kiltale/Boardsmill will have one of the best free takers at his age grade in the county amongst their ranks. The dual player showed his ability in that Division 2 Final last year and he could have a busy few weeks ahead with Summerhill in contention for the Division 1 honours in the football. Others who are likely to be key for the combination outfit are Charlie McCormack, Sean McKenna & Conor Quinn.
Manager – Anthony Quinn. Selector – Francis Cotter, Kevin McKenna & Tomás Boyle. Captain – Sean McKenna
Wolfe Tones – It is brilliant to see Wolfe Tones fielding in the Minor Hurling Championship on their own two feet after a long time combined with Navan O’Mahonys and they come into the Championship fancied by many to make it a historic season by going on and winning it outright. There is excellent work being done in the club promoting hurling and seeing them field a Minor side on their own is testament to this.
County Minor panellist Eoin Donegan is a big player for them, and his strength and power is likely to be deployed around the centre of the field. If he can help form a platform for the team in the middle third then the ‘Tones will be well on the way to challenging for honours, especially if the likes of Ciaran O’Dea and Thomas Donegan can reach their potential.
Manager – Alan Connell. Selector – Ken Boyd. Captain – Eoin Donegan.
2019 Winner – Kiltale
Playing For – PJ Stenson Cup
Predicted finalists – Clann na nGael & Kiltale/Boardsmill
Predicted winners – Clann na nGael