Intermediate championship is wide open
GAA: FBD Insurance County Intermediate Hurling Championship Preview
By Liam Hogan
This weekend sixteen teams will set out to start what they hope will be a good run when they hope to annex the County Intermediate Hurling Championship and take home the Jacksie Ryan Cup from the hands of the holders, Sean Treacy’s.
The sixteen teams are divided into four groups of four with the top two heading into the four quarter finals next August. It will be an open competition in terms of favouritism but when pushed one must fancy the chances.
Group 1
Sunday 26th July: Drom Inch v Moyne Templetuohy at Templemore at 7.00pm
Sunday 26th July: Drom Inch v Moyne Templetuohy at Templemore at 7.00pm
Drom & Inch
Manager: Kieran Young; Trainer: James Woodlock; Selectors: Eamon Long, Michael Burke.
Retirees: None
New: Paudie Kinnane, Jack Lillis, Daragh Kennedy, Jim Bob Kennedy.
Manager: Kieran Young; Trainer: James Woodlock; Selectors: Eamon Long, Michael Burke.
Retirees: None
New: Paudie Kinnane, Jack Lillis, Daragh Kennedy, Jim Bob Kennedy.
Moyne-Templetuohy
Manager: Eddie Kelly; Coach/Trainer: Liam England. Selectors: Theo Lloyd, Cathal Ely and John Sweeney.
New: Conor Lloyd.
Retiree/Injured: Robert Larkin.
Manager: Eddie Kelly; Coach/Trainer: Liam England. Selectors: Theo Lloyd, Cathal Ely and John Sweeney.
New: Conor Lloyd.
Retiree/Injured: Robert Larkin.
Fielding a second team is always difficult but Drom & Inch always have a decent team. Last year it was inferior score difference that failed them in their efforts to get out of their group.
Drom are up against a Moyne Templetuohy side that are on everybody’s short list for honours each year. The Lisheen side reached the preliminary quarter finals but lost to Sean Treacys who became eventual champions.
Conor Lloyd is a new name on the team. He played with Tipp minors last year. Moyne should win this one.
Drom are up against a Moyne Templetuohy side that are on everybody’s short list for honours each year. The Lisheen side reached the preliminary quarter finals but lost to Sean Treacys who became eventual champions.
Conor Lloyd is a new name on the team. He played with Tipp minors last year. Moyne should win this one.
Saturday 25th July: Moyle Rovers v Ballinahinch in Drombane at 7.00pm
Moyle Rovers
Manager: Donal Foley; Coach: Shane Walsh; S&C Coach: Matthew Norris; Selectors: Kevin O’Connor, M J Bowe, Charlie Boland.
Ballinahinch
Management team; Noel Kearns, Mike Sheehy, Bill Mullaney and Paudie Sheehy. S&C Coach: Tony Gleeson.
Manager: Donal Foley; Coach: Shane Walsh; S&C Coach: Matthew Norris; Selectors: Kevin O’Connor, M J Bowe, Charlie Boland.
Ballinahinch
Management team; Noel Kearns, Mike Sheehy, Bill Mullaney and Paudie Sheehy. S&C Coach: Tony Gleeson.
If fitness were the medium for winning, I’m sure that Moyle Rovers would fit the bill. Hurling and Football share centre stage and the club enjoys strong loyalty whatever the code. Their hurlers start their County Intermediate campaign against Ballinahinch. Backboned by seven of the team that claimed the County Minor ‘A’ Hurling title in 2014 they have a young team with an average age of 22/23. They reached the quarter final in 2019 but fell to Kilsheelan.
Meanwhile Ballinahinch will want to rediscover the great form of 2016 and 2017 when they won North Intermediate finals back to back. A historic first. In 2019 they were in a three-team group but failed to get out of their group losing their both games to Moyne Templetuohy and Kilsheelan. They are better than that, but this could be Moyle Rovers night.
Meanwhile Ballinahinch will want to rediscover the great form of 2016 and 2017 when they won North Intermediate finals back to back. A historic first. In 2019 they were in a three-team group but failed to get out of their group losing their both games to Moyne Templetuohy and Kilsheelan. They are better than that, but this could be Moyle Rovers night.
Group 2
Friday 24th July: Knockavilla Kickhams v Galtee Rovers in Golden at 7.00pm
Friday 24th July: Knockavilla Kickhams v Galtee Rovers in Golden at 7.00pm
Knockavilla Kickhams
Manager: Vinny Kelly; S&C Coach: Alan O’Connor; Selectors: Aidan Butler, Aidan Slattery, Fergal Hickey, John McCormack, and Damien McGrath.
Retirees: Killian Loughman.
New Players: Stephen Browne, Ben Loughman.
Galtee Rovers
Manager: David Morrissey; Coach: Paudie Reale; Selector Andrew Morrissey, Noel O’Brien, Vinny Murphy, J P McCarthy.
Retirements: None
New: Evan Breen, Jim Quirke, Adam McGrath.
Manager: Vinny Kelly; S&C Coach: Alan O’Connor; Selectors: Aidan Butler, Aidan Slattery, Fergal Hickey, John McCormack, and Damien McGrath.
Retirees: Killian Loughman.
New Players: Stephen Browne, Ben Loughman.
Galtee Rovers
Manager: David Morrissey; Coach: Paudie Reale; Selector Andrew Morrissey, Noel O’Brien, Vinny Murphy, J P McCarthy.
Retirements: None
New: Evan Breen, Jim Quirke, Adam McGrath.
With Alan Connor at the helm as coach Kickhams will benefit from his experience. O’Connor teamed up with David Power as part of the backroom team that helped Tipp win the All-Ireland Minor Football title in 2011. He continued his partnership with Power when taking over Wexford footballers. Indeed, the management group is a list of who’s who of former Tipperary players. Remember Knockavilla lost by a point to Golden Kilfeacle in last year’s county quarter final. They will be on the shortlist for honours in 2020.
Meanwhile Galtee Rovers will want to forget about 2019. They barely survived relegation when narrowly defeating Latten Cullen Gaels. Improvement needed to get over a Knockavilla side determined to get back to senior grade.
Meanwhile Galtee Rovers will want to forget about 2019. They barely survived relegation when narrowly defeating Latten Cullen Gaels. Improvement needed to get over a Knockavilla side determined to get back to senior grade.
Saturday 25th July: Borrisokane v Carrick Davins in Templetuohy at 7.00pm
Borrisokane
Manager: Pairic Hogan. Coach: Damien Hayes, Selectors: John Egan, Adrian Egan, Adrian Hogan, Eddie Lillis
New Player: Conor Ryan
Retired or Away: Shane Dooley and Peter McSherry
Manager: Pairic Hogan. Coach: Damien Hayes, Selectors: John Egan, Adrian Egan, Adrian Hogan, Eddie Lillis
New Player: Conor Ryan
Retired or Away: Shane Dooley and Peter McSherry
Pairic Hogan was manager in 2010 when Borrisokane last won the Intermediate County title. He is back at the helm and Borrisokane will fancy their chances again this year. They lost their preliminary quarter final game with Shannon Rovers last year but recent success at Minor and Under 21 grades should be the foundation stone for a new era.
They are up against a Carrick Davins side that may need time to adjust to their new lodgings having won promotion from Junior following County honours last year. Borrisokane to win.
They are up against a Carrick Davins side that may need time to adjust to their new lodgings having won promotion from Junior following County honours last year. Borrisokane to win.
Group 3
Friday 24th July: Ballybacon/Grange v Cappawhite in Tipperary Town @ 7.00pm
Friday 24th July: Ballybacon/Grange v Cappawhite in Tipperary Town @ 7.00pm
Ballybacon/Grange
Manager: Ger Meagher; Coach: Pat Bennett. Selectors: Liam Butler, Stan Barlow, Damien Gleeson.
Retirees: None.
New: Gavin Whelan, Colm O’Shaughnessy,
Cappawhite
Manager: Ger Meagher; Coach: Pat Bennett. Selectors: Liam Butler, Stan Barlow, Damien Gleeson.
Retirees: None.
New: Gavin Whelan, Colm O’Shaughnessy,
Cappawhite
Manager: Pat O’Neill; Coach: Tomas Downes; S&C Coach: Darragh Droog; Selectors: Seamus Kelly, Owen O’Keeffe.
Retirements: None
New: Gearoid Ryan, Darragh McCarthy and Pakie Barry.
Retirements: None
New: Gearoid Ryan, Darragh McCarthy and Pakie Barry.
2019 was a strange year for Ballybacon/Grange. They lost both their group games but having won the South final they made it to the Preliminary quarter final which they lost to Kilsheelan. That defeat sent them back through the relegation route and they just about survived with a win over Latten Cullen Gaels. Both Gavin Whelan and Tipperary senior footballer Colm O’Shaughnessy are back hurling and they should provide a boost for the South champions of the last two years. The evergreen Brendan Cummins continues to play in goal. Gaining Pat Bennett as coach is a plus for the club.
Cappawhite on the other hand would be seen as one of the contenders for honours. Despite winning and drawn a game each score difference of minus one deprived them of a place in the knockout stages.
Cappawhite on the other hand would be seen as one of the contenders for honours. Despite winning and drawn a game each score difference of minus one deprived them of a place in the knockout stages.
Saturday 24th July: Boherlahan Dualla v Shannon Rovers in Borrisoleigh at 3.00pm.
Boherlahan-Dualla
Manager: Dermot Coffey; Trainer/Coach: John Connors; Selector: David Ryan.
Retirees: None
New Players: Tomas Burke, Martin Paul O’Dwyer Euan Ryan, James Murphy, Darragh Lacey.
Shannon Rovers
Manager/Coach: Pat Cremin, Burgess; Trainer: Cyril McGrath; Selectors: Michael Hourigan, Pat O’Meara.
Retirees/Injured/absent: Kieran O’Sullivan.
Returnees/new: Alan Hannigan, Andrew Byrne, Michael Slattery, Oisin McMahon.
Probably the most open game of the round. Shannon Rovers are still smarting over their defeat to Kiladangan in last year’s quarter final. They entered the game as favourites but were roundly defeated by a team that almost captured the county final. Boherlahan lost to Sean Treacys in the quarter final and they are a club determined to get back to senior as quickly as possible. Remember they were County Junior champions in 2018.
Shannon Rovers have Pat Cremin back as manager thus bridging a ten gap when he led them to North Tipp honours. If Rovers play to their potential, they can win but there will be very little between the sides.
Manager: Dermot Coffey; Trainer/Coach: John Connors; Selector: David Ryan.
Retirees: None
New Players: Tomas Burke, Martin Paul O’Dwyer Euan Ryan, James Murphy, Darragh Lacey.
Shannon Rovers
Manager/Coach: Pat Cremin, Burgess; Trainer: Cyril McGrath; Selectors: Michael Hourigan, Pat O’Meara.
Retirees/Injured/absent: Kieran O’Sullivan.
Returnees/new: Alan Hannigan, Andrew Byrne, Michael Slattery, Oisin McMahon.
Probably the most open game of the round. Shannon Rovers are still smarting over their defeat to Kiladangan in last year’s quarter final. They entered the game as favourites but were roundly defeated by a team that almost captured the county final. Boherlahan lost to Sean Treacys in the quarter final and they are a club determined to get back to senior as quickly as possible. Remember they were County Junior champions in 2018.
Shannon Rovers have Pat Cremin back as manager thus bridging a ten gap when he led them to North Tipp honours. If Rovers play to their potential, they can win but there will be very little between the sides.
Group 4
Saturday 25th July: Moneygall v Golden Kilfeacle at The Ragg at 7.00pm
Moneygall
Manager/Coach: Joe Roche; Selectors: Fabian Jones, Seamus Hogan, and Michael Kirwan.
Returns: Owen Whyte and Brian Doughan.
New: None
Manager/Coach: Joe Roche; Selectors: Fabian Jones, Seamus Hogan, and Michael Kirwan.
Returns: Owen Whyte and Brian Doughan.
New: None
Golden Kilfeacle
Manager/Coach: Peter Finn; Trainer: Liam Hurley; Selector: Tom O’Donnell.
Retirements: None
New: Eoin Murnane.
Manager/Coach: Peter Finn; Trainer: Liam Hurley; Selector: Tom O’Donnell.
Retirements: None
New: Eoin Murnane.
A repeat of last year’s clash when Moneygall’s year ended abruptly when losing to Golden Kilfeacle in the preliminary quarter final. Golden Kilfeacle subsequently lost narrowly to Kiladangan in the county semi final. Prior to that game Moneygall had bridged a gap of 28 years when regaining the North Intermediate championship with victory over Kiladangan. Both of those games sum up last year’s events for both teams. The question remains as to which club has learned most.
Saturday 25th July: Gortnahoe/Glengoole v Kilsheelan-Kilcash in Ballingarry at 3.00pm
Gortnahoe/Glengoole
Manager: Keith Corbett: Coach: Ronan Stanley; Selector/S&C Coach: Leonard Stanley.
Retirement/Injury: Johnny Guilfoyle.
Returnees/New: Conor Teehan, Jack Atkinson Lynch.
Kilsheelan-Kilcash
Manager/Coach: Pa Larkin; S&C Coach: Pa Cowley. Selectors: Niall Walsh, Ollie Maher, John Ryan, Liam Robinson, John Roche, Denis Lonergan, Keith Robinson, Eoghan Ryan.
Retirees/Injury: Barry Kehoe.
New Players: Evan Comerford.
Manager: Keith Corbett: Coach: Ronan Stanley; Selector/S&C Coach: Leonard Stanley.
Retirement/Injury: Johnny Guilfoyle.
Returnees/New: Conor Teehan, Jack Atkinson Lynch.
Kilsheelan-Kilcash
Manager/Coach: Pa Larkin; S&C Coach: Pa Cowley. Selectors: Niall Walsh, Ollie Maher, John Ryan, Liam Robinson, John Roche, Denis Lonergan, Keith Robinson, Eoghan Ryan.
Retirees/Injury: Barry Kehoe.
New Players: Evan Comerford.
Helped by their success at County Under-21 ‘B’ level in 2016 and 2019 the side with an average of 22/23 Gortnahoe are rebuilding. They won one game out of three in last year’s group stage beating Borrisokane but lost the other two (Boherlahan and Cappawhite) by two points in each game. Yet they will be slight favourites.
Kilsheelan will be the first to admit that they reached last year’s semi final without facing strong contenders and in the end lost heavily to the new champions. They have a young team with average age of 26/27. Their involvement with the football championship last week didn’t help and news that Bill Maher damaged a hamstring just adds to their woes.
Kilsheelan will be the first to admit that they reached last year’s semi final without facing strong contenders and in the end lost heavily to the new champions. They have a young team with average age of 26/27. Their involvement with the football championship last week didn’t help and news that Bill Maher damaged a hamstring just adds to their woes.