O’Neill Sportswear Junior Hurling Championshp – Group 1 – Throw-in 7-15 pm
Ardoyne Kickhams v Michael Davitt’s at the Cricky
Ardoyne Kickhams and Michael Davitt’s will get the 2024 Antrim Hurling Championships underway this evening when they meet in Group 1of Junior section at 7-15 at the Cricky, on the Cliftonville Road.
Davitt’s, who finished runners-up in Division 4 of the league this season, will start the game as favourites, for though they only finished one place ahead of their rivals on the league table, they had four points to spare over the Kickhams and they won the league game between the two at the Cricky in convincing fashion, scoring 0-25 to Ardoyne’s 2-8.
Championship games can of course be a different matter and both teams will feel they are good enough to get the win, but Davitt’s still gets the vote for the opening night win.
There are only three teams in Group 1 this season so St Mary’s Rasharkin have a bye this evening.
Junior Hurling Championship – Group 2 – Throw-in 7-30 pm
Glen Rovers Armoy v Gort na Mona at Armoy
Last season’s runners up Glen Rovers Armoy face a tough task when they take on Gort na Mona, that game throwing-in at 7-30. Given the fact that Armoy played their hurling in Division 3 this season, while the Gorts were in Division 4, it would suggest that the Glen Rovers men would be favourites going into this one. However the Turf Lodge side won all 12 games in Division 4, while Armoy finished in the bottom section of Division 3, so throws a different light on things. Gort na Mona will fancy their chances in this one, but having come so close to winning the Junior last season, Armoy will feel they have a good chance of getting back to another final.
NB
Just a word of warning to fans travelling to this game. The Armoy Road Races are on this evening and those travelling from Belfast will not be able to go their usual route. Follow the diversion signs to Ballycastle and travel down through the Town to the Marine Hotle corner. Take a right turn and go past the end of the Cushendall Road, before taking a turn off on the right on the Dunamallaght Road which is signposted the for Salthouse Hotel. Less than a 100 yards up that road, take a left turn onto the the Drumavoley Road (not suaitable for Coaches) and carry on that road until it rejoins the Glenshesk Road. Take a right turn and that will take you to the Armoy pitch.
O’Neill Sportswear Junior Hurling Championship Group 2 – Throw in 7-30 pm
Lamh Dhearg v All Saints Ballymena at Hannahstown
In the second game in Group B Lamh Dhearg take on All Saints Ballymena in Hannahstown. Both teams played their hurling in Division 3 this season with the Hannahstown side finishing at the bottom of Section 1 while the Ballymena boys were relegated. When they met in the league Lamh Dhearg were convincing winners on a scoreline of 2-17 to 1-07 and so they will start as firm favourites this evenings. All Saints lost their ace marksman Ciaran Neeson this season, their top scorer trying his hand with county champions Ruairi Og Cushendall, and he has already shown that he can match it with the best of them. Hannahstown will start short odds favourite, but as I said earlier, championship hurling is a different game and they will know not to take anything or granted.