Big chance for Cappataggle hurlers

FOR one of the rare occasions in the past half decade, Galway intermediate hurling champions Cappataggle will enter a competitive fixture as underdogs when they take on London’s Kilburn Gaels in an intriguing All-Ireland Club semi-final clash at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick on Sunday (1pm).

Since winning the county intermediate title in 2008 – only to somewhat unluckily lose their senior status the following year – Cappataggle have year in, year out been hotly tipped at the outset of every intermediate championship to return to top flight hurling.

The favourites tag has often benefitted them but it has also at times been their undoing as they lost to Padraig Pearses (2010 quarter-final replay), Moycullen (2011 semi-final), Killimordaly (2012 semi-final) and Kilnadeema/Leitrim (2013 final) in the ensuing years. They finally came good with their county final replay win over Ahascragh/Fohenagh last November.

They face a Kilburn Gaels outfit that has already put Kilkenny intermediate champions Mullinavat to the sword in the All-Ireland quarter-final. That 1-10 to 1-8 victory, in which Kilbeacanty’s Stephen Lambert shot 1-8 (0-6 frees) for the Exiles, has installed the Londoners as 5/4 title favourites. Cappy are 3/1 and only 11/8 to win this Sunday.

“We are delighted with that,” laughs Healy, “because over the last five years in the Galway championship, we seem to be favourites for everything and you almost get tired of it after a while. So, we are delighted we are the underdogs, even though we don’t pay don’t much heed into those things. At the same time, it is something new.”

In truth, it’s difficult to know. Cappataggle have an abundance of talent in goalkeeper James Skehill, defenders Declan Cronin, the Brodericks – Michael and Thomas – and captain Stephen Creaven, the versatile Damien Joyce and forwards Daniel Nevin, the Dolans – Alan and Darragh – and Patrick Egan, to mention but a few.