’Town leading chase for Premier glory

THE opening shots are fired in the 2009 Evening Echo County Premier IFC tonight in Cloughduv and the first battle of the year should be a lively affair.

Both Nemo Rangers and Newcestown will have high ambitions of a fruitful season in this grade and both can point to the fact that their 2008 campaign ended at the hands of the eventual championship winners, St Finbarr’s.

The timing of this fixture suits Nemo’s chances.

Lining out before their seniors feature in the championship ensures more players are available and the Trabeg side’s team is stockpiled with experience.

Gary Murphy and Paul Brophy lay the defensive foundations, David Kearney and William Morgan provide the scoring sources, while Michael Dorgan, Liam O’Sullivan and Alan Morgan are all in the mix as well.

Their league form has been excellent to date, three wins from three and riding high at the top of Division Three.

But Newcestown are a formidable side as well. Cathrach Keane is their mainstay, but Daniel Twomey and John Wilson are good defenders, and Hugh Curran, Tadhg Twomey and Barry Horgan are capable of delivering in attack.

They’ve been operating in Division One of the Kelleher Shield, and while Nemo’s first team decisively beat them a few weeks ago, Newcestown did enjoy a fine success over St Finbarr’s previous to that defeat.

It’s a difficult game to call, due to the early season scheduling providing little in the way of a form guide and the fact that teams appear well matched.

Both will be mindful of avoiding a backdoor scrap as well, especially considering the losers here will face a tricky tie against the losers of Newmarket or St Vincent’s.

That should ratchet up the intensity and in a tight match, Newcestown may sneak it.

Verdict: Newcestown