Knockbeg College look forward to the 1st round of the Leinster Senior A Championship on Thursday, October 27, against Good Counsel of New Ross in Crettyard at 12.30pm.
They are regular rivals in South Leinster at all grades but avoided each other in this year’s league to date.
Knockbeg have qualified for the South Leinster A League semi final following a draw away to St Peter’s and victory over Ard Scoil of Athy.
However, the Senior Championship seems to start earlier than ever now on a group format with Athy being the third team in the group. Two teams will qualify to the knockout stages with the group games either side of the mid term.
Knockbeg’s hope have been dented with the loss of Oran O’Callaghan of Wicklow and TJ Nolan of Kildare due to cruciate knee injuries.
However, the spine of the team is likely to feature a lot of Laois players with good representation from South Laois.
Timahoe’s Oisin Ramsbottom is likely to be in goals, with Ballylinan’s Jessie McEvoy, Darragh Loughman, Eoin Dunne and Mackenzie McIvor vying for defensive slots.
Arles-Kilcruise’s versatile Aodhan Lowry, Jamie Conway, Ben Slattery and Jack Behan could feature on any line of the field at different stages.
While Jack Byrne of Graiguecullen and Cillian Maher of Stradbally will be expected to lead the forward line, St Joseph’s successful minor duo of Jeremy Kelly and Mikey Murphy will hope to see some action upfront also.
These are complimented with the multi talented Conal Bergin and John Phiri, the skilful Brady twins Josh and Cialan of Eire Og and a number of players from Palatine.
Despite the setbacks to the squad Knockbeg will be hoping to kickstart their championship aspirations with a victory in Crettyard before the majority of their squad compete in their respective club U-20 Championships over the coming weeks.
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