Searching for silverware - SHC Preview 2013

Club – Abbeyside

Co. Titles – None
2013 Manager – Packie Hurney
2013 Captain – John Hurney
Chances for 2013 – After losing out in agonising fashion to De La Salle in 2008, Abbeyside tumbled down the pecking order and they are currently trying to regain that lofty status. Their hurling must be sharper to compete at the tail end of the season. Richie Foley’s injury woes means that the onus will be on the Hurneys to offer the leadership and on Mark Gorman to get his eye in from frees. They will also have to plan without Shane Briggs, Gavin Breen and Maurice Power. Their opener against Passage could prove pivotal in the race for the knockout rounds.
Main man – Richie Foley
One to watch – Michael O’Halloran
Odds: 20/1

Club – Ballyduff Upper
Co. Titles - 3
2013 Manager – Maurice Geary
2013 Captain – Jamie Kearney
Chances for 2013 – They may have slipped from the dizzy heights of county champions in 2007 but Ballyduff remain a tough nut a crack. They came within a whisker of making the quarter finals in 2012 but in the end, they had to emerge from a relegation decider with Dunhill. They rely on a core of experienced heads but fresher faces are also making the breakthrough. The Reds are reliable performers at this level and always battle right to the finish. In Group 1, they will fight it out with Tallow and An Rinn for a spot in the last eight.
Main man – Stephen Molumphy
One to watch – Kevin Casey
Odds: 16/1

Club – Ballygunner
Co. Titles - 12
2013 Manager – Andy Moloney
2013 Captain - TBC
Chances for 2013 – Their title defence failed to gather momentum as they fell to their great rivals Mount Sion at the quarter final stages. Their ability to rattle the cobwebs deserted them as they could only muster six goals in six games and fired blanks on three occasions. Wayne Hutchinson should be restored to the half back line from where he policed matters back in 2011. Shane O’Sullivan directs operations from midfield and is hitting the high notes of late. Pauric Mahony, Brian O’Sullivan and JJ Hutchinson will also be eager to recover their goalscoring touch. With a strong inter county presence and a fourth consecutive under 21 title stored away, they pose the biggest threat to the champions.  
Main man – Shane O’Sullivan
One to watch – Barry O’Sullivan
Odds: 3/1

Club – De La Salle
Co. Titles - 3
2013 Manager – Derek McGrath
2013 Captain – Kevin Moran
Chances for 2013 - The main motivation for the holders is put together back to back titles. It is a feat that is rarely accomplished with Mount Sion the last club to do so ten years ago. Salle struggled to retain their title in previous years due to their involvement in the All Ireland series but no such hangover exists on this occasion. Their recent run of success has been powered by their dominant half back line and midfield. Jake Dillon showed tremendous leadership last year in an attack that rammed home 20 goals in ten outings. John Mullane is also raring for action after shelving his inter county commitments. Thurles Sarsfields stretched them in the Munster final but it was the only time over the campaign where they appeared uncomfortable. Their defensive resources will be tested as Stephen Daniels will miss the bulk of the campaign with a knee injury. Eoin Madigan and Conan Watt are also sidelined for rounds one and two. They could do with adding another scoring weapon to their forward division and with that acquisition, they can claim their fourth crown in six years.
Main man – Kevin Moran
One to watch – Shane McNulty
Odds: Evens

Club – Dungarvan
Co. Titles – 6
2013 Manager – Dermot Dee
2013 Captain - TBC
Chances for 2013 – The youthful Blues must learn the hard lessons from last October and come back as a stronger force. They managed to keep their performance levels on an even keel last year and grew in confidence as they progressed to the business end. Shane Kearney, Jamie Nagle and Gavin Crotty emerged as key figures and they came up with moments of inspiration when they were required. They will be without two thirds of their full back line from the county final as Derek Barry and Luke Egan are unavailable. They were sorely missing a predator close to goals last season and if one of their young recruits can plug that gap, they may continue to ruffle a few feathers.

Main man – Jamie Nagle
One to watch – Ryan Donnelly
Odds: 12/1

Club – Fourmilewater
Co. Titles – None
2013 Manager – Fintan O’Connor
2013 Captain – Michael O’Gorman
Chances for 2013 – Were it not for Darren Duggan’s spectacular saves, Fourmile’ would have qualifed for their first county final last year. They won all five group games and perhaps peaked before the knockout stages. They are backboned by astute campaigners who can mix it with the top teams in the county. Their striking, first touch and scoring rate has come on in leaps and bounds under Fintan O’Connor. Shane Ryan, Shane Walsh and Jamie Barron can all cut loose in attack and feeding them on a regular basis will be key to their success. Barron has adapted rapidly to the rough and tumble of senior hurling and silverware at minor and under 21 levels last year suggests that one or two more can push for places. They have a potent cocktail of strength and skill throughout the field which makes them serious championship contenders.
Main man – Jamie Barron
One to watch – Conor Gleeson
Odds: 7/1

Club - Lismore
Co. Titles – 3
2013 Manager – Brendan Landers
2013 Captain – Maurice Shanahan
Chances for 2013 – It’s twenty long years since Lismore last lifted the News and Star trophy. They have only known heartbreak since then with three unsuccessful final appearances and several near misses in the semi finals. In Maurice Shanahan, they possess a forward that has been amassing double digits routinely on the club circuit and older brother Dan continues to cause havoc at number fourteen. They have also brought through young players like Seanie Barry, Ray Barry, John Prendergast and Paudie Prendergast who are now regular fixtures. They rattled De La Salle in the quarters last time around but they crave consistency. Should they start to string together a run of performances, they will make a bold bid once more.
Main man – Maurice Shanahan
One to watch – Ray Barry
Odds: 7/1

Club – Mount Sion
Co. Titles - 35
2013 Manager – Anthony Kirwan
2013 Captain – Kenny Stafford
Chances for 2013 – Even in transition, Sion are a force to be reckoned with as evidenced by their run to the semis last season. The old guard can still roll back the years but the younger crop are beginning to step into the shoes of those that delivered five county titles in the last decade. Martin O’Neill was the leading scorer in the county last season and his accuracy is vital to building match winning totals. If a few more can chip in alongside him, they can make a strong challenge for honours and the last four looks like a realistic target once again.
Main man – Martin O’Neill
One to watch – Austin Gleeson
Odds: 7/1

Club – Passage
Co. Titles – None
2013 Manager – Peter Queally
2013 Captain - TBC
Chances for 2013 – Passage have more than held their own in the senior ranks since earning promotion in 2007. They reached the final four in 2010 and followed that up with a quarter final appearance a year later. With Eoin Kelly at the edge of the square, they carry a goal threat and they netted nine in five matches last season. Owen Connors is an effective operator and a regular source of scores in the half forward line. If they can tighten up at the other end, Peter Queally can lead his charges past the group phase once more.
Main man – Eoin Kelly
One to watch – Richard Hurley
Odds: 20/1

Club – An Rinn
Co. Titles - None
2013 Manager – Liam Curran
2013 Captain – TBC
Chances for 2013 - An Rinn’s splash into senior hurling was short lived in 2009 as they lost all six games but they are more prepared for their latest adventure. They displayed resilience in getting through the Western section and ran amok in the county final. A stern half back line and midfield formed the basis of their emphatic win over Portlaw in the intermediate decider and they also showed no shortage of skill. In attack, Donie Breathnach carries most of the scoring burden but Liam Ó Lonáin is also capable of raising a green flag with the small ball. They will aim for the knockout stages but settle for survival.
Main man – Donie Breathnach
One to watch – Christy Breathnach
Odds: 40/1

Club – Roanmore
Co. Titles - 2
2013 Manager – Liam Ryan
2013 Captain – Colm Burke
Chances for 2013 – A win over Dunhill and a draw with Tallow was sufficient for the Sky Blues to stay up in 2012 and they have another battle on their hands in 2013. They can compete with the big boys but are not sprinkled with the inter county talent that other clubs can count on. A couple of positive results in the Sargent Cup gives them much needed momentum ahead of their opener with Dungarvan. They lean on Gavin O’Brien for the bulk of their scores and unless he gets help in that department, they will fall through the trapdoor.
Main man – Gavin O’Brien
One to watch – Tim O’Byrne
Odds: 100/1

Club – Tallow
Co. Titles - 4
2013 Manager – Terence McSweeney
2013 Captain – TBC
Chances for 2013 – The surprise packets of 2011 experienced an underwhelming 2012. They collected three points from their first two games but lost the remaining four to exit at the quarters. Paul O’Brien provides the direction up front and if Thomas Ryan can recapture his form, it will give the Bridesiders a sharper edge. Their defensive solidity contributed greatly to their title charge two years ago and that battle hardened bunch needs to hold firm again. Their form can fluctuate from game to game and that inconsistency needs to be addressed if they are to progress from a competitive group.
Main man – Paul O’Brien
One to watch – Robert O’Sullivan
Odds: 40/1