Seasons on the line as Club Hurling group stage concludes

By Shane Brophy

Senior Hurling Championship

Group 1 – Saturday, 22nd August

Holycross/Ballycahill v Upperchurch/Drombane in Borrisoleigh @ 6.30pm.

Everything is at stake between these Mid neighbours. The greater expectation is on Holycross/Ballycahill with the exception of them and anything other than a win and progression would be a big disappointment.

Upperchurch/Drombane finally found their best form in the last gasp loss to Kilruane but a four point win plus a Kilruane defeat to Sars would see the All-Ireland Intermediate champions through. Verdict: Holycross/Ballycahill

Kilruane MacDonaghs v Thurles Sarsfields in Templederry @ 6.30pm.

Thurles Sarsfields have been impressive so far but they aren’t quite through yet so avoiding defeat will be the name of the game. Kilruane are in the must-win category and the tight confines of Templederry will be a help, where they won the North Junior ‘A’ title last Saturday and a number of those players might be thrust in to help them get the result. Verdict: Draw

Group 2 – Sunday, 23rd August

Borris-Ileigh v Moycarkey/Borris at The Ragg @ 3.30pm.

Moycarkey/Borris have been the team of the championship so far but they aren’t quite qualified as a five point loss could potentially put them in danger of elimination depending on the outcome of the other game. Borris-Ileigh have a preliminary quarter final to fall back on but they’ll want to build on the win over Loughmore with Jerry Kelly aiming to take down his dad Denis who is manager of the Mid side. Verdict: Moycarkey/Borris

Clonoulty/Rossmore v Loughmore/Castleiney in Holycross @ 3.30pm.

Two-time defending champions Loughmore/Castleiney can’t be eliminated this Sunday as they have a preliminary quarter final secured but could be in relegation trouble if they fail to get a win. They haven’t been playing poorly but things haven’t quite gelled yet and the challenges don’t get any easier against West champions Clonoulty/Rossmore. Verdict: Draw

Group 3 – Saturday, 22nd August

Cashel King Cormacs v Roscrea in Templemore @ 6.00pm.

A game with nothing at stake with Cashel confirmed as group winners while Roscrea are headed for the relegation playoffs. However, they’ll want to go into them in a decent frame of mind and with a win as that has been the only issue for them so far, closing out games. Verdict: Cashel KC

Drom & Inch v Kiladangan in Dolla @ 6.00pm.

It’s winner-takes-all but a draw will be enough for Kiladangan to progress. The North side should be seething at how they didn’t close out the game against Cashel where they produced their best performance of the campaign. Drom have been free-scoring so far but need to tighten up defensively if they are to end a losing run against their opponents. Verdict: Kiladangan

Group 4 – Sunday, 23rd August

CJ Kickhams Mullinahone v JK Brackens in Cashel @ 3.00pm.

JK Brackens have already won the group and with their dual commitments, might be in the position to rotate which opens the door for Mullinahone to get the win to give them a chance of getting off the bottom of the group, and maybe sneaking into second place if the outcome of the other game goes their way. Verdict: JK Brackens

Nenagh Eire Og v Toomevara in Cloughjordan @ 3.00pm.

Nenagh Eire Og v Toomevara doesn’t need much to sell itself but with this being in effect a knockout game, it is a blockbuster. Nenagh had Toomevara at arms length in the North Championship in June but in the last chance saloon, expect Toome to bring everything. Nenagh will hope Jake Morris can play some part as he deals with an achilles issue while Mason Cawley is a doubt with a broken finger. Verdict: Nenagh Eire Og

PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Group 1 – Sunday, 23rd August

Gortnahoe/Glengoole v Sean Treacys in Cashel @ 1.00pm.

A winner-takes-all clash and in the win over Silvermines, Gortnahoe showed glimpses of getting back to their best form. Verdict: Gortnahoe/Glengoole

Moyne-Templetuohy v Silvermines in Drombane @ 1.00pm.

Moyne-Templetuohy have been the surprise package of the championship so far, aided by star men Conor Bowe and the returning Gearoid O’Connor in their best form. Silvermines cannot improve their group standing but need to take some positivity into the preliminary quarter final as North champions. Verdict: Moyne-Templetuohy

Group 2 – Sunday, 23rd August

Carrick Swan v Killenaule in Fethard @ 12.00pm.

The game might be a dead-rubber with the Swan headed for relegation and Killenaule as group winners but all-South affairs are never dull. Verdict: Carrick Swan

St Mary’s v Thurles Sarsfields in Golden @ 12.00pm.

A winner-takes-all clash but with the double incentive that whoever wins guarantees themselves a quarter final berth as both are already divisional winners. Verdict: St Mary’s

Group 3 – Sunday, 23rd August

Burgess v Moneygall in Toomevara @ 6.30pm.

This will be the fourth championship meeting between the sides inside two years with Moneygall leading 2-1, including June’s North quarter final. Joe Fogarty’s potential absence through will be a blow for Moneygall while Burgess discovered some flow last time out. Verdict: Draw

Lorrha v Templederry Kenyons in Nenagh @ 6.30pm.

A dead-rubber with Lorrha through as group winners and Templederry headed for the relegation playoffs. However, it was in a similar fixture last year that the Kenyons clicked to save themselves while Lorrha will want to maintain momentum going into the quarter finals. Verdict: Lorrha

Group 4 – Sunday, 23rd August

Ballina v Boherlahan-Dualla in Borrisoleigh @ 1.30pm.

Ballina bounced back well to earn a draw against Eire Og last time out but Boherlahan will be stuck at how they lost to Golden and get the win to qualify. Verdict: Boherlahan-Dualla

Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill v Golden Kilfeacle in Holycross @ 1.30pm.

A third meeting of the sides this summer with Eire Og having won both games, including the West final. Golden are already through as group winners and with Jack Leamy an injury doubt, they shouldn’t have the same drive. Verdict: Eire Og Annacarty/D

INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Group 1 – Saturday, 22nd August

Clonoulty/Rossmore v Portroe in Newport @ 2.00pm.

A straight win might be enough for Portroe but will hope to win with a decent margin in case Kickhams win in the other game. Verdict: Portroe

Kilsheelan/Kilcash v Knockavilla-D Kickhams in New Inn @ 2.00pm.

Last years defeated finalists Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams are starring at group stage elimination if they fail to win but are coming up against the form side in the competition so far. Verdict: Kilsheelan/Kilcash

Group 2 – Saturday, 22nd August

Arravale Rovers v Carrick Davins in Clonmel Sportsfield @ 5.00pm.

A dead-rubber where Arravale should have little issue with the Davins who have been well off the pace so far. Verdict: Arravale Rovers

Clonakenny v Shannon Rovers in Toomevara @ 5.00pm.

Winner-takes-all although a draw will be good enough for Shannon Rovers who showed enough in the game with Arravale to get the job done. Clonakenny might have to use their preliminary quarter final spot as Mid champions. Verdict: Shannon Rovers

Group 3 – Sunday, 23rd August

Ballingarry v Holycross/Ballycahill in Littleton @ 6.30pm.

Ballingarry have nothing to play for as group winners but Holycross could still sneak into second place with a win but their focus will be getting off the bottom. Verdict: Ballingarry

Cappawhite v Skeheenarinky in Lattin @ 6.30pm.

Skeheenarinky secured a surprise win over Cappawhite in last years meeting but the West side should be better prepared. Verdict: Cappawhite

Group 4 – Saturday, 22nd August

Ballybacon/Grange v Borrisokane in Templetuohy @ 4.00pm.

A dead-rubber here but both sides will want to get a win to take momentum into their respective relegation and title battles. Verdict: Borrisokane

Moyle Rovers v Newport in Templemore @ 4.00pm.

Winner-takes-all for second place. Newport have found their best form and will need to be wary against the 2024 junior champions. Verdict: Newport