2 Rounds in and all is changed utterly….
The Algorithim is working over time but even at that, its hard to conceive of some of the fluctuations in some Club’s progress up the Rankings from before the Championship started.
Senior Hurling Club Power Rankings
16.-Templederry Kenyons – No Change from Round 1
Look destined for the Relegation scrap but have potentially the best forward in the division in Seanie Ryan with 1-08 scored so far from play, they had 9 scorers in Round 1 scoring 4-18 v Loughmore and ran up 1-18 v the Church, their issues aren’t in the forward line. At number 16 at the moment, It wouldn’t surprise us if they move up ‘slightly’ and survive before its all over.
15.-Jk Brackens -Down 2
Brackens are set for the relegation battle. Hard to see how its happened but it shows the competitiveness of the Championship. One clue as to where they find themselves could be their lack of a spread of scorers, 5 scorers in Round 1 with only 4 scoring 0-07 from play. In Round 2 a similar story, 5 scorers scoring 1-05 from play, if this continues the omens are not good.
14.-Moycarkey/Borris -No Change
Moycarkey put in a very credible performance against Toomevara with 9 individual scorers, but had Rhys Shelly to thank that it was so close. Shelly also has so far 0-03 to his name from between the sticks, A humdinger with County Champs Kilruane in round 3 with the loser in the relegation mire.
13.-Kilruane -Down 1
The biggest fallers after the round 1 games going down 7 places, Kilruane have now given up their Dan Breen crown in round 2 and will want to avoid going straight into the relegation dogfight. Can’t call a winner in their game with Moycarkey at this point. Could the introduction of Seamus Hennessey who came in and scored 0-03 v Toome swing this in their favour?.
12.-Mullinahone -Down 1
Mullinahone are safe from relegation and have nothing to lose against Nenagh, Mikey O’Shea is in standout form for them at the minute with 3-04 already plundered from play. Will be a big ask to topple the North champs but stranger things have happened.
11.-Upperchurch/Drombane -Down 1
The ‘Church bounced back with a win in Rd. 2 to set up a huge game with Loughmore in the last game. On form Loughmore look likely to win but there isn’t much between the sides. A slight worry might be only 4 scorers in Round 1 with 1-06 from play, they have improved in round 2 with 8 players chipping 1-13 from play, Padraig Greene’s freetaking prowess is key to them going deep into the Championship.
10.- Roscrea -Up 5
Roscrea knocked Kilruane out with Shane Fletcher with 2-03 from play ripping up many an accumulator. Alan Tyan with 1-06 from play in the first 2 rounds, continuing his fine Tipperary form, Luke Cashin also catching the eye,11 players scoring the last day v Kilruane tells us that confidence is high in the camp. Still need to get something out of the Toomevara game. Moycarkey could catch them on score difference if they don’t.
9.- Clonoulty/Rossmore -Down 3
Clonoulty drop down 3 places and have to produce a big perfomance v Kiladangan in round 3 to get the ship sailing again. Their spread of scorers is a major worry only 3 in round 1 and 5 in round 2,if anything happens to Cathal Bourke with 1-24 scored already, you’d have to wonder where their scores will come from, Have the divisional title route like Thurles if needed, to fall back on.
8.- Holycross -Up 1
Holycross move up 1 despite ‘losing’ to scoreboard gate. They should beat Templederry in the last round and qualify. The have the head to head on Upperchurch too. Memo to Liam Cahill, they have this chap by the name of Cathal Barrett, introduced into their half forward line the last day who scored 1-05 from play.
7.- Thurles Sarsfields -No Change
Thurles Sarsfields still sit in 7th after turning up the gears late on to take a much needed win v Clonoulty in round 2. Potential to top Group 1 but also can end up in bottom spot. Have the Divisional title route if needed but Thurles will want to get another win on the board and keep the momentum going. Darragh Stakelum with 1-06 from play so far catching the eye, Aidan McCormack unflappable on frees with a total of 1-11 ran up so far.
6.- Kiladangan -Down 5
A massive 2nd half v Borris where Kiladangan showed their true power, similar to their round 1 game v Thurles Sarsfields wasn’t enough to get them over the line as Brendan Maher had a different idea. A win v Clonoulty in Round 3 will be enough to qualify them out of the group. Number 1 spot in the Power Rankings after round 1 for Kiladangan who looked to be sailing into the knock out rounds, but this group is throwing up all sorts of possibilities .Billy Seymour back to his u20 form with 1-18 on the boards so far.
5.- Borris-ileigh -Up 3
A last gasp winner by Brendan Maher v Kiladangan in a game that had huge swings moves Borris up into 5th. Borris have to rally again to avoid defeat to Thurles Sarsfields in round 3 to qualify for the knock out stages (pending a Kiladangan win v Clonoulty).Only 5 players managed to score 1-06 in their round 1 game v Clonoulty but they have bucked themselves up in round 2 with 9 of them of running in 3-14.
4.- Nenagh -Up 1
A drop from the power ranking number 1 spot prior to round 2 for Nenagh but they’re not going away. A win or draw v Mullinahone in round 3 will get Nenagh through to the knock out stages in 2nd place in Group 1, but they have the back door route otherwise as North Champions. Still Jake Morris-less so the longer their alive, the better chance of Jake getting back on the field. Down also Tommy Heffernan who had scored 1-05 from in round 1 but it mattered little in round 2 as 8 of them tallied 4-06 from play.
3.- Toomevara -Up 1
Like the 2 teams above them, 2 wins from 2 for Toome and a win or draw v Roscrea in final round will ensure top spot in Group 2. Darragh McCarthy (2-08), Jack Delaney (2-08) and Shane Nolan (0-10) showing serious intent for Toome with a team who are very efficient in front of goal.
2.- Drom/Inch -Up 1
Drom-Inch are going about their business without too much talk, like Loughmore 2 wins from 2, but are sure to qualify for the knockout stages as group winner due to the head to head ruling over Nenagh & Mullinahone. Dark horses and moving up the rankings to justify their current form. Its the depth and spread of scorers that are impressing us, 5-39 scored in 2 games,12 individual scorers so far, Seamie Callanan with 2-12,Tommy Nolan with 2-06,Johnny Ryan with 0-08 and the list goes on and on..
1.- Loughmore Castleiney -Up 1
With 2 wins from 2, Loughmore move up to top spot. But if results go against them in Round 3, they could finish 3rd in their group and not qualify. Score difference may come into play. Loughmore are leaking goals which is a slight concern, but are doing serious damage at the other end (5-53) with scorers all over the pitch with John McGrath top of their pile with 1-21 pillaged so far.
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