O'Mahonys Aughrim bound for Leinster opener
LEINSTER CLUB JHC
Navan O'Mahonys will begin their Leinster Club JHC campaign this weekend as they take on Wicklow side Avondale in Aughrim on Saturday at 1.30 pm. The clash takes place at the very same time that Dunsany will be kicking off their campaign against Aughrim in Navan's Pairc Tailteann. The logic behind that schedule is something that only a GAA organisation could justify, writes Tom Gannon.
Unless your club hails from Kilkenny, your hopes of winning this title are probably slim. Kilkenny sides have won 16 titles in the 22 editions of the competition. As far as success for Meath clubs, no Royal side has ever won it although Boardsmill, Rathmolyon, Ratoath and Na Fianna all finished runners-up.
Navan O'Mahonys can take some level of confidence heading into this competition from the way they went about their business in the Meath IHC.
O'Mahonys battled hard and ground out victories against tough opposition. The semi-final against Rathmolyon in particular stands out as being a memorable contest.
Pat Nolan's side also have the additional bonus of having played in this competition 12 months ago, although they wouldn't have learned much after they received somewhat of a hammering at the hands of Leixlip.
Two lads in particular who are playing some fantastic hurling for Navan O'Mahonys at the moment are Cormac Keyes and Jack Walsh. Their captain Keyes was influential in their final win over Drumree and in Jack Walsh Navan O'Mahonys have one of the best free takers in the county.
Wicklow teams have an abysmal record in the competition and never once has a team from the Garden County made it to the final. Yet we know it is a county that has been getting its act together as of late. In the club scene at least, the success of Bray Emmets in recent years is proof of that.
Navan O'Mahonys physical nature should stand to them in a game that will probably be played in less-than-ideal weather conditions and maybe they might just have enough to get past this Wicklow side.