Brigid's can turn heads against Jude's

DUBLIN SHC 'A' GROUP B

ST BRIGID'S v ST JUDE'S

(O'Toole Park, Tonight, 7.15)

THE Top Cat has moved upstairs. Timmy O'Mahony is now the Director of Hurling at St Brigid's.

Gerry Ryan is the new boss. The former Dublin goalkeeper is a proven championship winner with the Craobh.

Brigid's have been turning heads for the last few years. Last season, they had notable championship wins over Chiaráin's and St Vincent's.

They made the last four. They combine graft and craft. Jude's live on a similar street. Both always play an attractive brand of hurling. The sides produced a cracking league tie in Tymon this term.

Brigid's won it by two points. They'll know they'll have to put in another solid hour to emerge from this one.

CALIBRE

Danny Sutcliffe (inset) will be in the building. The clampers will have to be out.

Ger McManus is a worthy 'keeper, and the Jude's back door contains the calibre of Fiachra Feore, Robert Hardy and Seán McLoughlin while Stephen Larkin is a classy operator. Getting a good start, in the game and in the Group, will be important. There's only three teams in the Pool, Crumlin being the other.

Brigid's have gathered quite a slice of experience. And they have quality personnel in Alan Nolan, Conor Woodgate, the McEnerneys (Brendan and Aodhán), John O'Loughlin, Paddy McAvinue, Jamie Winters, Kieran Kellet and Daire Plunkett.

The sliotar has rarely bounced higher in Russell Park. Willie Bourke, the King of Fingal, has added to the scenery.

It's an hour that should zip along. And the timber will be polished.

VERDICT: St Brigid's