Drumcullen gunning for Leinster glory

AFTER numerous postponements due to the weather in late November and throughout December, Drumcullen’s eagerly anticipated Leinster Club Junior Hurling Championship Final will go ahead this Sunday in Rath, weather permitting. Paddy Kirwan’s side are taking on John Locke’s of Kilkenny in the decider which throws in at 2pm.

Both teams have had more than two months to prepare for the game as both qualified for the final back on November 14. Drumcullen defeated Delvin in fogbound St Loman’s Park in Mullingar by 5-13 to 1-5 while John Locke’s had just a point to spare over Adamstown of Wexford with the Kilkenny side prevailing by 0-11 to 0-10.

In the previous round Drumcullen had disposed of Dublin side Thomas Davis while John Locke’s overcame Laois champions Ballyfin.

Drumcullen took a break from training over the Christmas period but were back to the grindstone on New Year’s Day in preparation for Sunday’s game. Having claimed the Offaly Intermediate title and with it a return to the senior ranks for the coming season, Drumcullen are hoping to continue their winning ways by claiming a first provincial title for the club.

Newly crowned Offaly Intermediate Hurler of the Year Conor Gath will lead the Drumcullen challenge and Paddy Kirwan is expected to select his team from a fully fit panel.

However there is no doubt that the ‘sash’ will face a far sterner test this Sunday than they did in the previous rounds of the provincial campaign.
This will be the third time since 2000 that Kilkenny and Offaly teams have met in this championship with the Kilkenny teams prevailing on the previous two occasions in 2004 and 2008.

It is hoped that a large crowd froma around the county will come out and support Drumcullen on their quest for provincial glory.