PREVIEWS: Castletown and Slieve Bloom begin Leinster Club campaigns

Castletown and Slieve Bloom will fly the Laois flag in the AIB Leinster Club Championships on Saturday afternoon as both clubs get their provincial campaigns underway with quarter-final assignments.

Castletown, who claimed the Laois Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship title last month, make the trip to Trim to face Meath senior champions Kilmessan in the AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship.

Meanwhile, Slieve Bloom, the Laois Intermediate champions, travel to Wexford Park to take on Gusserane O'Rahillys in the quarter-finals of the AIB Leinster Club Junior Hurling Championship.

Castletown v Kilmessan

Castletown have had exactly five weeks to prepare for their provincial challenge after defeating Camross in the Premier Intermediate final to secure an immediate return to the Laois Senior Hurling Championship for 2027. Their stay at the second tier lasted just one season, with the club producing an impressive championship campaign to reclaim their place among the senior ranks.

Some of the Castletown panel have remained in action since that final, with the Laois U-20 Hurling Championship getting underway on Friday, October 23.

The club has a proud history in Laois hurling and enjoyed one of the most successful periods in its history between 1995 and 2005. During that spell, Castletown contested 10 county senior finals in 11 seasons, winning eight titles, including five consecutive championships between 1999 and 2003.

They also reached three Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship finals between 1997 and 2001, although they were unable to get over the line on any occasion, losing out to Birr each time.

Now they will look to make an impression at intermediate level, although they face a formidable opening assignment against a Kilmessan side that has established itself as the dominant force in Meath hurling.

Kilmessan defeated Kiltale in the Meath Senior Hurling Championship final to secure their 30th county title and are also previous winners of the Leinster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship, having claimed the provincial crown in 2008.

Castletown will therefore have a significant challenge on their hands, with Kilmessan regarded as slight favourites by the bookmakers.

No Laois club has ever won the Leinster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship, with Portlaoise coming closest when they reached the final in 2018.

Castletown will be hoping to take another step towards ending that wait when they travel to Trim GAA on Saturday, November 7, for a 1.30pm throw-in.

Slieve Bloom face Wexford challenge

Slieve Bloom will also be looking to make their mark in the provincial series when they take on Wexford champions Gusserane O'Rahillys in the AIB Leinster Club Junior Hurling Championship.

The Laois Intermediate champions have had five weeks to prepare for Saturday's quarter-final after defeating The Harps' second team in the county final on October 3.

Their opponents, meanwhile, only secured their place in the provincial competition last weekend, when Gusserane O'Rahillys defeated Adamstown in the Wexford Intermediate A Hurling Championship final at Wexford Park.

This year’s championship success for Slieve Bloom was their third county title since 2016, with the club having previously won the Laois Junior Hurling Championship that year before claiming the Intermediate title in 2018.

Their latest triumph against The Harps' second string has provided another opportunity to test themselves against opposition from outside the county, with a place in the Leinster semi-finals now up for grabs. Gusserane O'Rahillys will provide a stern test, having secured their second Wexford Intermediate A title, following their previous success in 2020.

Laois clubs have found it difficult to make a major impact in the Leinster Club Junior Hurling Championship over the years, with only two representatives from the county having reached the provincial final.

Trumera were runners-up in 2004 before Ballyfin reached the decider in 2011, meaning Slieve Bloom have the opportunity to make history if they can progress through the competition and become the first Laois club to claim the provincial title.

Their quarter-final against Gusserane O'Rahillys takes place at Wexford Park on Saturday, November 7, with throw-in scheduled for 2.30pm.