Knock-out hurling is here
The fate of all the clubs in the top three grades of the Tipperary Hurling Championships are now known following the final round of group games last weekend.
By Shane Brophy
Senior
Group winners, Holycross/Ballycahill, Nenagh Eire Og, Loughmore/Castleiney and Moycarkey/Borris can all prepare for the quarter finals on the weekend of 27-28 September, as can Cashel King Cormacs who were the lucky club to avoid a preliminary quarter final after all three divisional senior champions, Kiladangan (North), JK Brackens (Mid) and Clonoulty/Rossmore (West) all failed to finish in the top two spots in their respective groups.
It indicates the competitiveness of the Tipperary championship as there were no preliminary quarter finals last year.
The preliminary quarter final draw has thrown up three mouth-watering ties with Toomevara and JK Brackens squaring off in Borrisoleigh on Saturday, 20th September at 4.00pm, while the following day at 3.30pm will see Clonoulty/Rossmore and Drom & Inch meet in Boherlahan while Kiladangan and Kilruane MacDonaghs will renew their rivalry in Nenagh at the same time.
There is no draw, as yet, for the relegation semi-finals as Clonoulty/Rossmore can still extricate themselves from the more if they go on and win the county title, with CJ Kickhams Mullinahone, Lorrha and Roscrea playing a waiting game.
It means that Borris-Ileigh and Thurles Sarsfields are the only two clubs in the senior grade whose season is officially over.
Premier Intermediate
There will be two preliminary quarter finals in the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship after North champions Ballina and the West’s best Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill finished third in their respective groups.
Ballina have been drawn to meet Thurles Sarsfields in Templederry on Saturday, 20th September at 4.00pm, while the following day in Templemore at 3.30pm, Eire Og Annacarty will play Moneygall.
The two remaining group runners-up, Killenaule and Silvermines, progress straight to the quarter finals along with group winners, Gortnahoe/Glengoole, Boherlahan-Dualla, Upperchurch/Drombane and Carrick Swan.
The draws and fixtures for the relegation semi-finals have been made and has thrown up two divisional matchups on Sunday, 21st September at 1.30pm with Burgess and Templederry Kenyons squaring off in Nenagh, while Templemore will host Clonakenny v Moyne-Templetuohy.
Intermediate
North champions Shannon Rovers were the only divisional champion to have to make use of the preliminary quarter final in the intermediate championship and have been paired with Arravale Rovers in Newport on Sunday, 21st September at 1.30pm.
The winner will progress to the quarter finals along with group runners-up Moyle Rovers, Ballingarry and Kilsheelan/Kilcash who will be drawn against group winners Cappawhite, Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams, Borrisokane and Golden Kilfeacle.
In the relegation semi-finals, Newport were drawn with Drom & Inch and has been fixed for Saturday, 20th September at 4.00pm in Dolla while the following day at 2.30pm, Cahir will host the all South division clash of Skeheenarinky and Ballybacon/Grange.
Football & Camogie
Next weekend will see the knockout picture become clear in the senior football championship with Ballina and JK Brackens among those facing must-win ties while the quarter final pairings in the senior camogie championship will also be confirmed with the key game being between Shannon Rovers and Moneygall with both a quarter final and relegation berths at stake.