By Mike O’Halloran

THE Garvey’s Super Valu Kerry County Hurling Championship was launched in Connolly Park prior to the Austin Stacks v South Kerry replay on Saturday evening.

Players from Abbeydorney, Ballyduff, Causeway,Crotta, Kilmoyley and St Brendan’s were in attendance along with Jim Garvey of Garveys.

As previously announced the pairings for the first round are,

Ballyduff V Kilmoyley; Lixnaw V Causeway; Crotta O’Neills V Abbeydorney; St Brendan’s V Ballyheigue.

We will have a more detailed preview of the Hurling Championship nearer to the first round, which is due to take place on the weekend of June 26th.

There is a chance though, that those games may not take place on that weekend and may be put back to the following week, the Kerry hurling officer informed me at the launch.

Talking to the players that attended, they were all of the one word, saying that the championship was wide open, but when pressed the majority plumped for Causeway.

Shane Nolan of Cotta O’Neills, along with Aiden McCabe of Kilmoyley, are delighted to get back hurling with their clubs after a long hard season with Kerry.

PJ Gorman of Ballyduff  and Aiden McCabe both goalies for their respective clubs were doing all their talking at the launch because there won’t be much opportunity when they line out against each other in the first round.

Stephen Power and Eamonn Fitzgerald were giving little away on their upcoming joust.

Shane Nolan was telling Egan that O’Dorney are going well and it promises to be a great battle when they cross swords in a few weeks.

Kevin Orpen of St Brendan’s was keeping his cards close to his chest.

It should be a fascinating championship ahead.