North Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Semi-Final Previews

By Liam Hogan

Saturday 15th July

Lorrha v Portroe in Nenagh @ 7.00pm

A first sighting of Lorrha and Portroe as both received a bye to the last four while the two quarter finals were in full flow last weekend.

A familiar pairing as they sides have met twice in recent years, the latest in the 2021 second round of the Seamus O Riain Cup when Portroe won 2-18 to 0-19 in Cloughjordan, but the previous year Lorrha won a high-scoring encounter, 5-18 to 4-16.

As county intermediate champions, Lorrha enter this game with confidence. Apart from Brian Hogan is gone travelling, they should have a near full strength team with Ciaran Haugh returning from injury having sat out the entire county championship run last year. It remains to be seen whether Patrick Maher has recovered fully having missed Tipperary’s last two games in the championship.

Portroe on the other hand have been hit badly with absentees as both AJ Willis and Ruadhan Mulrooney are out of the country. They were leading men in the attack throughout their drive to the North title last year. They will need the leadership skills of Robert Byrne and Kevin O’Halloran to help in their bid for victory, not that any Port side need encouragement because they are one of the most spirited club in the county. Verdict: Lorrha

Sunday 16th July

Burgess v Newport in Dolla @ 2.00pm

A familiar pairing in the North Intermediate championship in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Their most recent meeting was last year when Newport won a high-scoring game, 3-17 to 2-16, in round two of the county premier intermediate championship.

It was Burgess’s only defeat of the group stage as they advanced to the semi-final but lost to Roscrea the eventual winners.

Last Saturday’s quarter final win against Silvermines was sure to put a smile on their supporters faces. They played very well thanks to the strong displays of Donagh Maher, Johnny Mulqueen, Bill Flaherty, Stephen Kirwan, and Stephen Murray. However, there are questions about Silvermines and their defence left many questions unanswered.

Newport on the other hand came good in the second half against a Ballina side that left a lot of chances go by. Colin Floyd was their match-winner and he will need to repeat same but will need much more assistance from the remainder of the attack.

Their defence was good with Robbie Houlihan, Odhran Floyd and Conor Floyd displaying leadership behind Cian Flanagan and Peter O’Sullivan. It was good to see Conor O’Mahony back in action. Sean O’Brien is a doubt as he limped off last Friday. Oisin O’Brien did well in O’Brien’s absence. Verdict: Burgess