Preview 5 – county junior C singles

Junior C Singles semi finals

James Stanners (St. Martins) v Matthew Hynes (St. Mary’s), Liam Rossiter (Ballyhogue) v Jim Nolan (Kilmyshall)

20 players and 48 games have been whittled down to 4 players and 3 games in a championship which never fails to deliver writes AOB.

The strength in depth of this grade in Wexford can be gauged by the continuing presence of recent Golden Gloves winner James Stanners in this championship, long after his promotion from junior D back in 2014.  Last year he lost out to his brother David in the final and with another sibling Sean winning in 2014, James must surely feel its time to join the rest of the clan in the higher grade.

Amongst those standing in his way will be Matthew Hynes, better known for his 60×30 exploits and a winner of the 2018 All Ireland over 35 doubles title. Now focusing on the small court, he has come through five matches unbeaten and has the skill and the overall game to make this a real contest.

Liam Rossiter won the All Ireland 60×30 under 17 doubles back in 2015 and has often threatened to make a real statement of intent in the smaller court. His power and kill give him the tools to do this but he will need to be wary of semi final opponent Jim Nolan who is enjoying a brilliant season. The Kilmyshall man only got through as third place finisher in his group but has come safely through two knockout rounds since.

Prediction: Three of the four R8 matches went the distance and the other ended up 21-15, 21-19. That illustrates the competitive nature of this junior C grade. His intercounty achievements make James Stanners the favourite and while he has found it difficult to emerge from this grade, I do expect him to make it three Kilmannon brothers in junior B next year.