PREVIEW: Leixlip and Clane clash in Kildare Senior 'B' final with Intermediate and Junior also on the docket

Meanwhile the UPMC Kildare SHC B final takes place on Sunday at Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge when Clane take on Leixlip in a game that has the potential to be a cracking contest.

Apart from the silverware on offer, there is of course the prize of the winner return to Tier 1 of hurling that being the senior championship.

Unlike previous seasons that bonus is there this year, as heretofore Naas had made it to the B final thus ensuring regardless of who won it the team playing Naas were guaranteed senior status, as last year proved with Moorefield.

Both Clane and Leixlip will be very anxious to make it back to senior. Both have suffered relegation in recent years but with

Clane dismissing Naas in the semifinal and Leixlip defeating Broadford Sunday's decider is a game to really look forward to.
This is Clane's first year at Senior B level, but they are firmly focused, after defeating Naas in the semi to go all the way.
They have a fine side with some excellent players.

County keeper, Paddy McKenna is leading the attack and leading it very well, hitting an impressive 11 points last time out.
Caolan Smith, who wears 6 but operates at 14, is a handful; Mark Delaney at 1 is a top class keeper (Paddy McKenna's understudy at county level); Cormac Vizzard, Cian Shanahan, Shane Henry and Simon Healy will certainly not be found wanting.

Leixlip are certainly playing well this season, manager, Willie Banks is intent on returning to the senior ranks. They had a fine win over Broadford in the semi-final 3-15 to 0-12, a game that was probably closer f, in the first half anyway, that the final score line suggests.

A goal just before the break from Jack Travers and 2-2 in the opening ten minutes, James Canning and Stephen Ryan raising the green flags, on the resumption was just too much for a brave Broadford side was simply too much.

John Doran's side will be looking to Darragh Melville, Jack Travers, both experienced county men, Ben Travers, along with Eoghan Harrington and Stephen Ryan.

Difficult one to call, Naas will be buoyant taking out Naas but having said that Leixlip just might have enough to take this title and with it return to the senior ranks of hurling come the season of 2026.

The final of the UPMC Intermediate Hurling Championship is also down for decision this weekend.

There were six clubs involved in this Tier 3 competition with Wolfe Tones Tones topping the group stages winning all five games.

Naas came in second place, losing just one game, Confey ended with six points while Maynooth came in fourth with two wins and four points.

The semi-finals was a bit of a turn-up with Maynooth defeating Wolfe Tones 1-15 to 0-16 while Naas handed Confey a bit of a hiding winning 4-16 to 1-11.

So now Naas take on Maynooth in Sunday's decider.

This is of course the Naas 3rd string but such is the strength in depth of Naas hurling presently, despite their second string losing out to Clane in the B semi-final.

Maynooth did play in the Senior B Championship so this is effect their second team so that in itself will be interesting to see how this one pans out.

The Intermediate decider is fixed for Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, throw-in 2 pm; a double header along with the Senior B final, Clane v Leixlip which throws-in at 2 pm.

On Friday the final of the UPMC Junior Hurling Championship takes place with Cappagh playing Leixlip, also Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, throw-in 19.45 while the UPMC Junior A final, St Laurence's v Naas, is also down for Friday (September 26) this one at Manguard Park, Hawkfield, throw-in 19.45.

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