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IT’S championship action this weekend when John Mitchels face Ardfert in the second round of the Intermediate grade this Saturday night in Ardfert (7pm).

There has been a very worrying mass exodus of players from the county over the last couple of weeks and it’s the Tralee area sides who have taken most of the hit – John Mitchels and Ardfert being no exception.

Mitchels have seen three players depart for the USA, Lawrence Bastible, Jamie Moriarty and Shane O’Connor all shipping off to Boston.

Not ideal preparations for the Ballyseedy side, but Ardfert have lost players too, Boston again snatching the talents of Darren, Trevor and Christopher Wallace.

It’s a month since John Mitchels needed extra time to overcome Skellig Rangers in the opening round of the intermediate championship. Performances in the league have been mixed with the side lying in eighth position, two points off the bottom with two wins and four defeats.

Ardfert are faring a bit better in division 3. In fifth position, with four wins and two losses, they will be spurred on by an impressive away win against An Ghaeltacht last weekend and the return of Kerry hurlers, John Egan and Darren Dineen.

Looking at both sides at this point, Ardfert look the stronger outfit and less effected by emigration, that allied with home advantage, it’s hard to look past them for this.

Verdict: Ardfert by three points