Club Hurling Championship Previews

By Shane Brophy

The knockout stages of the County Hurling Championships get underway next weekend.

Unlike previous years where preliminary quarter final weekend provided a bumper harvest of games in all three grades, this year there are just two, one each in the premier intermediate and intermediate championships.

Sunday, 8th September

Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter Final

Cashel King Cormacs v Boherlahan-Dualla in Dundrum @ 2.00pm

A West v Mid match-up but this is also a derby between two neighbours which should provide a keen edge. The vast majority of the Boherlahan players would have gone to secondary school in Cashel so this rare occurrence to come up against friends/foes will add another element to his winner-takes-all match-up.

There is a pressure on Cashel in recent years because of the talent within the team, right from Aaron Browne in goal through his brother Ger (back from injury), the Connolly brothers Eoghan & Ronan, Devon Ryan, Oisin O’Donoghue, the Bonnar brothers to name but a few.

However, they failed to finish in the top two spots in their group with a loss to Gortnahoe/Glengoole and draw with Eire Og Annacarty forcing them to use their wildcard as West champions to keep their county hopes alive.

Last years intermediate champions Boherlahan-Dualla are aiming to follow Lorrha in securing back-to-back promotions. A win over Gortnahoe/Glengoole in the Mid quarter final showed they have the potential to contend but were grounded by Thurles Sarsfields in the semi-final, as well as in the group stage of the county championship.

Wins over Clonakenny and Newport were enough to see them progress to the knockout stage. However, they will be without defender Dylan Fogarty who sustained a shoulder injury in an under 19 game last week and his loss will be considerable.

Verdict: Cashel King Cormacs

Sunday, 8th September

Intermediate Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter Final

Drom & Inch v Borrisokane in Dolla @ 2.00pm

Borrisokane drew the short straw in being the team paired to meet Mid champions Drom & Inch in the sole intermediate hurling preliminary quarter final.

Their task could be added to by an injury concern over Tipperary under 20 hurler Ciaran Foley who sustained a head injury in an under 19 game last week.

The final round group stage win over Kilsheelan/Kilcash should give them a big boost in confidence where Oisin Larkin led the way with 1-12. The side should also be boosted by the return of Gary Ryan which would add to their attacking threat.

Drom & Inch finished third in their group behind Shannon Rovers and Portroe which sees them require to use their Mid championship success as a wildcard to the knockout stage.

With their seniors out of the championship, this is their sole focus which should make them a stiffer challenge for a side that reached the semi-finals in 2022 but have plenty of quality and experience in the likes of Liam Ryan, Michael Purcell, Paul Bergin, Jack Lillis, Paudie Kinane, and Aidan O’Meara.

Verdict: Borrisokane