County Premier Intermediate & Intermediate Hurling Round 3 previews
By Shane Brophy
PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING
GROUP 1
Permutations: Carrick Swan have already won the group and Silvermines will finish bottom and will play in the relegation playoffs so the only thing to be determined is who finished runner-up which is a straight shootout between Upperchurch/Drombane and Ballina. A draw would be good enough for the Mid side but even if they lose, they have the back-up of a preliminary quarter final as Mid champions.
Sunday, 25th August
Ballina v Upperchurch/Drombane in Toomevara @ 6.15pm
A winner takes all tie with more pressure on Ballina as Upperchurch have the fall back of a preliminary quarter final. Ballina would need injuries to ease to give them a fighting chance. Verdict: Upperchurch/Drombane
Carrick Swan v Silvermines in Gortnahoe @ 6.15pm
A game with nothing at stake other than one team looking to continue momentum and the other looking for confidence ahead of the relegation playoffs. Verdict: Carrick Swan
GROUP 2
Permutations: Eire Og are in the box seat, but they play West rivals Cashel in the final round, and should the latter win and Gortnahoe get past Moyne, it would go to score difference between the sides.
Moyne-Templetuohy can still make it but would need at least a seven-point win over Gortnahoe plus Cashel to suffer a heavy defeat. Their target will be winning hope it is enough to trump Gortnahoe on head-to-head to lift themselves off the bottom.
Saturday, 24th August
Cashel King Cormacs v Eire Og Annacarty in Clonoulty @ 1.00pm
These sides have met twice in the West Championship with both winning a game each, with Cashel the divisional champions. They have a preliminary quarter final sorted and may have to use it. Verdict: Eire Og Annacarty
Gortnahoe/Glengoole v Moyne-Templetuohy in Littleton @ 1.00pm
Gortnahoe will feel they should already have won the group but are back to their 2022 form and should have the form to get their better of their Mid rivals. Verdict: Gortnahoe/Glengoole
GROUP 3
Permutations: Thurles Sarsfields are in the box seat and require just one more point to qualify but they play a Clonakenny side with plenty of firepower and will feel they will have to win should Boherlahan get the better of Newport.
The Mulcair men would need a big win to qualify on a three-way tie as ten-point defeat to Clonakenny has hurt them. Their aim will be to beat Boherlahan and hope Clonakenny get a result against Thurles which would mean they finish third in the group over Boherlahan.
Saturday, 24th August
Boherlahan-Dualla v Newport in Cappawhite @ 2.00pm
Boherlahan’s form is better but with backs against the wall, Newport could pull off the upset. Verdict: Boherlahan-Dualla
Clonakenny v Thurles Sarsfields in Holycross @ 2.00pm
Sarsfields are perfect so far, but Clonakenny’s need is greater but Cian O’Dwyer is unlikely to get the same lattitude as in round 2. Verdict: Clonakenny
GROUP 4
Permutations: St Mary’s have been the surprise package with their wins over Burgess and Treacys but face South rivals Killenaule who easily beat them in the South championship last month. Should Killenaule get the win it means it could come down to a three-way tie with Burgess, provided they get the victory over a winless Sean Treacys. The West side will be hoping for a Killenaule win as it would be a victory over Burgess would see them escape relegation at the expense of the North champions.
Friday, 23rd August
Burgess v Sean Treacys in Templederry @ 6.45pm
Burgess have a preliminary quarter final berth if things go wrong but won’t want to limp into the knockout stage off two successive defeats. Verdict: Burgess
Killenaule v St Mary’s in Fethard @ 6.45pm
St Mary’s have been the team of the championship so far but have found Killenaule a massive problem over the years, including a thumping loss in the South Championship last month. Verdict: Killenaule
INTERMEDIATE HURLING
GROUP 1
Permutations: Golden Kilfeacle have been motoring well and will be expected to beat Ballybacon/Grange in their final game. If that happens it opens the door for Clonoulty/Rossmore or west rivals Cappawhite, the latter in relegation trouble currently and need a win.
Saturday, 24th August
Ballybacon/Grange v Golden Kilfeacle in Cahir @ 6.00pm
Ballybacon/Grange will come in with confidence after beating Cappa, but Golden Kilfeacle are a step above again. Verdict: Golden Kilfeacle
Cappawhite v Clonoulty/Rossmore in Dundrum @ 6.00pm
Cappawhite would have thought they’d have two defeats at this stage but a big win here and they could get through on score difference. Verdict: Cappawhite
GROUP 2
Permutations: The group is straightforward with Ballingarry secured as winners with 2022 semi-finalists Skeheenarinky set for a relegation battle. It leaves Borrisokane v Kilsheelan/Kilcash as a straight shootout for the second quarter final spot where a draw would also be enough for the Lower Ormond men on score difference.
Saturday, 24th August
Borrisokane v Kilsheelan/Kilcash in Templetuohy @ 6.45pm
The loss of Mark Kehoe through suspension is a big blow for Kilsheelan and Borris have the scoring to win. Verdict: Draw
GROUP 3
Permutations: After two successive relegation battles, Shannon Rovers can relax with a quarter final spot already booked but need another point to secure top spot. They face North rivals Portroe who are finding confidence and form and require one more point to join them in the last eight. A defeat would open the door for Drom & Inch provided they make up a thirteen-point score difference with a win over Arravale, however, they do have the back-up of a preliminary quarter final as Mid champions. Arravale will escape the relegation playoffs with a win themselves.
Sunday, 25th August
Arravale Rovers v Drom & Inch in Drombane @ 2.00pm
Drom still have a chance of progressing with a win and their form is better than Arravale’s. Verdict: Drom & Inch
Portroe v Shannon Rovers in Nenagh @ 2.00pm
Shannon Rovers have qualified so the pressure is off and Portroe’s need for a result is greater and might be the decisive edge. Verdict: Portroe
GROUP 4
Permutations: Moneygall have eased past all-comers so far and will be expected to do the same against Upperchurch/Drombane. It would leave a straight shootout between Knockavilla Kickhams and Carrick Davins for second spot.
Friday, 23rd August
Carrick Davins v Knockavilla-D Kickhams in Cahir @ 6.45pm
Both sides suffered defeats to Moneygall, but Kickhams performed better and beat Davins in a knockout group game last year and should do so again. Verdict: Knockavilla-D Kickhams
Moneygall v Upperchurch/Drombane at The Ragg @ 6.45pm
A game with nothing at stake but with three weeks to a quarter final, Moneygall won’t want to put the hand-break on. Verdict: Moneygall