Gort men face ultimate test against Kilkenny champs

GALWAY SHC champions Gort face the ultimate test in club hurling when they take on the side which leads the national roll of honour – Ballyhale Shamrocks – in a challenging All-Ireland senior club semi-final at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday (3:45pm).

Indeed, with five All-Ireland titles to their name, it is no wonder a star-studded Ballyhale – with names and legends like the Fennelly brothers, Michael and Colin, James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick, Henry Shefflin and TJ Reid in their ranks – are firm 8/15 favourites to add a sixth crown come St. Patrick’s Day.

That’s the task that faces Gerry Spelman and his Gort charges – 3/1 outsiders to win the game – this weekend but the coach says they are ready to embrace this stern examination of their own All-Ireland credentials.

“The players are looking forward to the match. You know, you want to test yourself [against the best teams] so the mood is very good with them. They are very young – we are a young team, fairly fast and fit – so they don’t have a lot of fear or that kind of stuff. They all seem to be looking forward to it.”

Gort have two injuries ahead of the clash, with panellists Aidan Helebert (appendix) and Ronan Burke (AC joint) both out.

At any rate, the South Galway outfit will be looking to carry their form of the last eight months into the semi-final and reproduce the displays which saw them account for Killimordaly (3-11 to 0-11), Beagh (1-15 to 0-15) and Portumna (2-13 to 1-10) in the knockout stages.

Central to this has been their defensive unit. Gavin Lally has been a solid pair of hands between the posts and Mark McMahon, Tadgh Linnane, Michael Cummins, Aidan Harte, Greg Lally and Sylvie Óg Linnane have formed a formidable sextet.

Around the middle of the park, the two Fordes, Sean and Niall, along with the returning Jason Grealish have all worked well in this area while the imposing trio of Michael Mullins, Albert Mullins and Paul Killilea have caused the majority of opposing half-back lines problems with their height and physicality.

Inside, Gort have a number of prolific finishers. Richie Cummins tallied 5-16 from play in the county championship while freetaker Gerry Quinn and the impish Gerard O’Donoghue registered 1-17 (1-14 frees) and 3-9 respectively.