THE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS and gripping storylines tend to go hand in hand but this year’s senior hurling decider between Cuala of Dublin and Clare’s Ballyea has an added edge with two brothers set to be in opposite camps on St Patrick’s Day.
It’s happened before within counties, the contest between siblings Brian Hogan of O’Loughlin Gaels and Clara’s Keith Hogan in the Kilkenny senior hurling final of 2015 being a recent example.
However, the fact that the two clubs in this year’s hurling final are located on opposite sides of the country, more than 250km apart, makes this scenario particularly special.
Niall Keane, a former Ballyea man, joined the Dublin champions this past season and will be togging out against his former club, who have his brother Aonghus in their ranks.
Defender Niall, who moved to the capital for work reasons, was the first Ballyea hurler to win an U21 All-Ireland as part of the Banner side who were crowned champions in 2009.
Younger brother Aonghus is a forward while the brothers’ father Michael is a former chairman of Ballyea.
Neither brother featured in their club’s respective semi-final victories, where they were both incidentally wearing number 24, but there is a chance we could yet see two siblings playing against each other at Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
United played very well in patches tonight against a stale looking Leicester team. Eriksen is pure class and brings a bit of intelligence and composure to the side. Very early days yet, but progress all the same.
Solid performance, but that was pure crap going forward. Far too passive and almost cocky in attack. Against a rubbish Leicester side who would have been put away by City / Liverpool. Praying Antony lives some bit up to the 100m coz Elanga Rashford Ronaldo nowhere near consistent enough. Highlight of the match was Dalot celebrating the block on Harvey Barnes.. cringey.. but just glad to see any bit of passion in defence these days. 3 wins on the trot we’ll take it. Big improvement needed on Sunday. PS. can see Rodgers at Villa soon!
@Johnny Mads: pretty much
@Johnny Mads: Hats off to ten hag to drop Maguire Johnny. The only way is up. As for yer Rogers quip that’s actually funny and not funny at the same time.
@Johnny Mads: very scrappy at times and alot of work to do, actually thought Ronaldo was lively when he came on, was unlucky with the bicycle kick also, 3 points and a clean sheet
@Pauly Kel: Ronaldo always a danger, just feel he holds back on his forward passed a second too long. Can’t help but feel he’s thinking 2 or 3 steps ahead on how he can give the ball to player best positioned to set him up at the end. Pure paranoia on my behalf but that’s how i always see it ! Sometimes kills the attack. But we sure will take 3 points and move on and keep building.
@Paul Gorry: When i saw him dropped before the pool game i got excited. Felt like a relief to finally move on and take a chance at least. So far paying off. As for Rodgers.. put your house on it ;)
@Johnny Mads: thought Dalot was very good again. Think it’s a bit harsh to lump ronnie in with rashford and elanga, he was on for 20 mins and looked far more threatening than both. If he shot rather than crossed to Eriksen near the end I’m convinced it would have been 2. Jenas saying rashford was on for his work rate was hilarious, did absolutely nowt besides his assist. Surely not a starter for much longer. Mctominay was fairly reckless aswell at times, dragging down maddison on the edge of the box. Surely time to give Fred and Casemiro a run!
@Johnny Mads: probably like the majority of utd fans to be fair. As for Rodgers i don’t have a house lol
@Paul Gorry: rodgers has 102 by all accounts.
@A$AP Ragnick: Dalot gaining confidence off the new system. Glad to see him earn his place ahead of AWB who i cant stand! Prob harsh on Ronnie but jury still out on him for me at moment. We could really do with him hitting form now at the right time so here’s hoping! Ya I think Fred & Casemiro will be the partnership once Casemiro settles. Big test Sunday now gunners on fire.
@Paul Gorry: lol
Leicester reward has beens like Vardy and Evans with new contracts when they should be replaced. The spine of that team needs surgery. New keeper, centre backs, holding midfielder, two strikers. Only six minutes left Brendan. Hurry up !!
Being cautiously optimistic about this upswing in form, this is a side that may give a good run for 4th but ultimately settle for 5th (please anything but 6th again). Arsenal Is the real test if we can topple them then maybe 4th is an actual possibility given that Chelsea seem to be cracking
The big test for this current Utd squad is when they come up against the top teams! Let’s see what happens on Sunday.
@john fairclough: what like Lvpl
@john fairclough: Did they not already beat Liverpool?
@HarveyLemonade: I agree. It will be as equally as big a test for arsenal. They have been impressive but have had a fairly handy first few games.
Pretty irrelevant…. however, United have recorded 3 straight Premier League wins in August/September 2021 and in December 2021.
It’s progress but Ten Haag seems far to cautious when in lead. He brings off pacey attackers for slower defensive players. Happened in last 3 games. Could have easily cost Utd points in each game. This isn’t the Dutch league where teams will accept a 1 0 loss.
@Shane Obrien: I think he’s just getting Casemiro a few minutes here and there for a possible start on Sunday.
@Shane Obrien: think its more of a natural response to united’s tendency to retreat when they get into a lead, i don’t think he is encouraging it or anything. They would have drawn/lost games like this and the Southampton one last year. Hopefully show more of a killer instinct in the upcoming games.