THE HILLS
- Captain: Matthew Weldon
- Overseas professional: Liam Blackford from Melbourne.
- Players out: Sean McNicholl (Phoenix), Hassan Shahid (Ballyspallen)
- Players in: Liam Blackford, Stefano Di Bartolomeo, Cian Rooney.
- Young Players to watch: Febin Manoj, Joseph Russell, Cian Rooney.
There are a few changes at The Hills, which is perhaps understandable given their relegation in 2025.
Sean McNicholl has opted to move to Phoenix, while making the trek up to the North-West is Hassan Shahid who has joined Ballyspallen. There are also a few fringe players off to pastures new in Adnan Shinwari and Mohammad Hashimi.
On the plus side, they look to have signed two quality players in former Australian Under 19 international Liam Blackford, who has scored 86 against England Lions, so obviously a real asset. Also heading to Milverton is Stefano Di Bartolomeo, who has previously starred with Cork County.
There has always been a good crop of younger takent around The Hills, and in Ireland U19 international Febin Manoj, they have a real talent, who should really benefit from his recent World Cup experience and push on.
The club also has high hopes for Joseph Russell, who has made a real impact with the seconds and hopefully will push on to the firsts. Cian Rooney joins his brother Nathan from Balbriggan, and with a good season of training there's no reason why he can't make the starting XI.
"It's a first season for us in the First Team League, and with the squad we have, I think it's realistic to be winning that and getting back in the top flight," said Tomás Rooney-Murphy.
"We certainly have a fighting chance in the National Cup too, and we will be looking to putting our best foot forward in that.
"We will see how we go in the Leinster Senior Cup and T20. I'd back us on our day to take down any team.
"It should be a positive season for us and we are all looking forward to it with a new captain leading us in Matthew Weldon, and we wish him all the best in his new role for the season."
