Dungarvan and Clonea meet this evening with their Waterford Senior Hurling Championship status on the line, as the two sides contest the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Co. Senior Hurling Championship Relegation Play-Off.

The game throws in at 7.30 pm at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field, with the loser facing relegation from the senior grade.

Both clubs will be disappointed to find themselves in this position, but Clonea will feel they have been particularly unfortunate following their opening games.

Clonea suffered a narrow defeat to Abbeyside-Ballinacourty in their opening fixture before another agonising loss to Passage at Azzurri Walsh Park.

They had a late opportunity to potentially turn that game around, with Billy Power having a chance to find the net, only for his effort to be saved by Passage goalkeeper Eddie Lynch, who subsequently won a free out. Passage went on to claim victory by two points.

Clonea have plenty of quality within their ranks, including James Power and Kieran Kerwin, while Martin Power also brings inter-county experience to the side.

Their strength at underage level has also been evident in recent years, with Clonea players featuring prominently on Waterford underage teams, while their second and third teams have also been competing well.

For Dungarvan, tonight represents a huge game for the club as they look to retain their senior status.

They will have the familiarity of playing at Fraher Field on their side, but they face a Clonea team that believes it has enough quality to survive.

There is also a wider concern for Dungarvan should they suffer relegation, given the size of the town and the potential that exists within the area.

The two sides therefore have plenty to play for, and while Clonea may go into the contest as favourites, relegation play-offs can often produce unpredictable results.

With so much at stake, nerves are likely to play a major part, particularly with both teams knowing that one mistake could ultimately decide their senior championship future.

Dungarvan v Clonea throws in at 7.30 pm tonight at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field.

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