A large crowd is expected in Charleville next Saturday evening when Newtown and Ballyhea clash in the 3rd round of the Cork Senior Hurling Championship, throw in 7:30pm.

Not since the early 80’s have these 2 teams met in the Senior Championship and on that occasion it was Ballyhea who had the upper hand winning the last 2 senior championship encounters.

Ballyhea go into this encounter on the back of a thrilling victory over Castlelyons in the previous round. Having suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Cloyne in the 1st round the pressure was really on Ballyhea to extend their stay in this year championship.

Ballyhea gave a great performance that night in Mitchelstown, displaying all the battling qualities they have become renowned for over the years with Neil Ronan giving a man of the match performance with a personal tally on 1-10.

With no less than 5 minors in their ranks, this team has improved with every game and the experience that the younger lads now have will prove crucial in the lead up to this game. While they might have played in front of 50,000 people in Thurles for the Cork minors, playing in front of 5,000 people in Charleville against the old enemy Newtown will prove even more difficult.

Newtown come into this game on the back of a very poor performance against Sarfields in the league last Thursday night. On that night Newtown had a near full strength team but were on the receiving end of a good hammering from a fresher and hungrier Sars outfit.

Although this was Newtown first league defeat, the warning signs were there as early as April when Newtown played Ballyhea in the league. On that day, even though Newtown were victorious, their performance, especially their temperament left a lot to be desired.

That was followed by a very poor performance against Midleton in the 1st round of the championship. On that night the temperament of the team was also questionable and was it not for a powerful display from Pat Mulcahy, Newtown would have been beaten that night.

Some critics say that Newtown are not as fit as they have been in previous years, that some of the players simple don’t seems fit. This might be the case but on Saturday night there will be no place for hiding, we will know at 9pm where Newtown really stand in this years championship.

If Newtown can get their heads right I believe that they have the experience and the players to win this game, however if this match develops into a dog fight then Ballyhea might have the physical edge, either way it’s a match not to be missed.