Four clubs chase Intermediate glory

By Shane Brophy

The race for the Father Hewitt Cup gets underway this weekend with four clubs battling to succeed Lorrha as champions. Just four clubs take part with Ballinahinch having been relegated to Junior ‘A’ with Kiladangan taking Lorrha’s place from last years championship after being relegated from Premier Intermediate.

BORRISOKANE

Borrisokane came as close as anyone to preventing Lorrha from winning last years county championship when they took them to extra time in the quarter finals. It was their best performance of the campaign by a long way, but that lack of consistency was an issue and captain Michael Heenan has pointed to in terms of being able to challenge for silverware.

We faded out a bit towards the summer and got going again towards the end, so a more consistent campaign is the target,” he said.

Kiladangan’s Seamus Gleeson remains in charge for a second season who can now call on 2022 All-Ireland minor winner Ciaran Foley to their ranks.

KILADANGAN

After three years in the second tier, Kiladangan drop back to intermediate level after being relegated unluckily last year despite being extremely competitive.

“The previous year we got to a quarter final, so it was a sickener to be relegated,” admitted Johnny Horan.

“This year we will be giving it a good rattle and have more confidence about ourselves.

“We might lose a few lads to the first team, but we have a good pick off the Junior ‘B’ team so it’s about getting the attitude right and have the belief that we can do it.”

Indeed, Horan is one of the players already lost to the senior side, but they can still call on the likes of Darragh Egan, Darragh Butler, Neil Cahalan and Andy Loughnane.

MONEYGALL

Moneygall got all the way to the county final last year so will be amongst the challengers for overall honours under third year manager Paul O’Brien while Ballinahinch’s Cormac McGrath brings a wealth of experience as coach.

“It gave us a boost,” said captain Adam Hogan of getting all the way to the final last year,” but added, “but we are back down to the bottom of the hill and will have to dog it out to get back to where we were last year.

“We have put in the work, and we would be aware there is a bit of a target on our back, so we do have to improve and come up with new ways of playing.”

SHANNON ROVERS

Shannon Rovers just about preserved their intermediate status when beating Ballinahinch in the relegation decider. This was after getting off to a good start in the campaign reaching a North final following a semi-final win over Borrisokane.

However, experienced captain George Hannigan isn’t looking backwards for motivation for a new campaign under new manager John Tierney and coach Darrel Tucker.

“Last year is last year, it’s a new year with a new set-up,” he said.

“Every time a new set-up comes in, a team tends to get a boost of it and things have been going well enough, so we’ll see on Friday how we are going.

“To win a North Championship means a lot, and after a long break it is the first competition you play, and everyone is mad for road trying to win it and we haven’t won it since 2010 and this year will be no different.”

OVERVIEW

A three game sprint for the title and Moneygall are worthy favourites with a panel that have their best years ahead of them. Borrisokane are a threat when they have momentum if they get off to a good start while Kiladangan’s experience is a huge asset to them. Shannon Rovers showed last year they can cause an upset, but it will be a tough ask for them.

Championship prediction: Moneygall

FIXTURES

Semi-Finals

Friday 14th July – Moneygall v Shannon Rovers in Borrisokane @ 7.30pm

Saturday 15th July – Borrisokane v Kiladangan in Cloughjordan @ 7.00pm

Final

Saturday 22nd or Sunday 23rd July

MATCH PREVIEWS

Moneygall v Shannon Rovers

The first of two meetings in the space of three weeks between the sides as they also meet in the opening round of the County Championship group stage at the end of the month. Moneygall will be strongly fancied to win both games, particularly after reaching last years county final and welcome back Sean Fogarty who missed that campaign. Verdict: Moneygall

Borrisokane v Kiladangan

Borrisokane manager Seamus Gleeson comes up against his home club Kiladangan whom he will know inside out. Borris will hope to build on last years strong finish to the county championship. Kiladangan are loaded with senior experience and that could be crucial. Verdict: Kiladangan