Hurling Back in Focus.
After three weeks of football the focus is very much back on hurling this weekend. Kilkenny and Tipp may be the big story nationally but the final round of SHC matches means as much to the competing Clubs.

After four rounds Erins Own must be the most frustrated group of players - no points yet only tipped off in all the games, lost by a point to Rangers and Ballinkillen, a goal to Naomh Eoin and by four to Naomh Moling. They are out of the reckoning and are playing for pride when the match up with Naomh Brid. The Leighlin parish outfit have been erratic so far, mixing the good with the bad. With 5 teams chasing 4 semi final spots they cannot afford to hit an off day again.
Mount Leinster Rangers have been setting the pace, appear to have the most free scoring forward line in the competition and look head and shoulders above all others - at this stage. Their opponents Ballinkillen opened their campaign impressively with an opening round win over Champions St Mullins. Maybe that win provided them with a false sense of security as they crashed heavily to Naomh Brid. They had a one point in over Erins Own followed by a similar margin loss to Naomh Eoin and they look up against it this weekend. Clash of the round is Champions Naomh Moling v Naomh Eoin.
St Mullins look a pale shadow of last year's team - not that surprising when you consider the absentees while Naomh Eoin are struggling in the same area as last year, a lack of scoring forwards. It's a hard one to call.

In the IHC Carlow Town meet Erins Own and the step down a grade has been good for the County Capital side. Having seen them train recently one couldn't but be impressed with the quality of the work being done by Karl English on the coaching side. If the senior and inter tables are combined as they stand at the moment, Erins Own are in 6th and 7th position! Erins Own have been racking up big scores and may have the edge in this one. Unfortunately there have been too many games conceded in the IHC which detracts from the competition.