Runners and Riders in the 2026 Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship

By James Hayden

GROUP 1

Clonoulty-Rossmore

Clonoulty-Rossmore's second team will relish the opportunity to test themselves against quality intermediate opposition. Drawing upon the strength and hurling tradition of one of the county's premier clubs, they possess an abundance of youthful talent eager to impress. If they settle quickly into championship action and convert scoring chances consistently, they are capable of upsetting more fancied opponents. Group prediction – 4th

Kilsheelan-Kilcash

Kilsheelan-Kilcash have quietly established themselves as one of the most consistent intermediate outfits. They possess plenty of athleticism and physicality and will believe they have the tools to emerge from what is undoubtedly a difficult group. If they can build momentum from the outset, Kilsheelan-Kilcash have every chance of reaching the knockout stages and becoming dangerous opponents later in the championship. Group prediction – 3rd

Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams

Last year's county finalists begin another championship determined to go one step further. Managed by Eoin Morrissey, Knockavilla possess the experience of navigating the latter stages of the competition and will be eager to erase the disappointment of their recent West Tipperary final defeat to Arravale Rovers. That defeat may ultimately sharpen their focus rather than dent their confidence. They remain one of the strongest squads in the championship and know exactly what is required to challenge for county honours. Group prediction – 1st

Portroe

Fresh from ending a 36-year wait for North Tipperary Intermediate honours, Portroe enter the county championship with enormous confidence under manager John Sheedy. However, stepping onto the county stage presents an entirely different challenge. Their opening fixture against last year's county runners-up Knockavilla Kickhams will immediately reveal whether they are genuine county contenders but they will be safe in the knowledge that a preliminary quarter-final spot beckons regardless of how matters turn out in the group stage. Group prediction – 2nd

GROUP 2

Arravale Rovers

Fresh from also ending a 13-year wait for the West title, Arravale Rovers arrive in excellent form. Michael Heelan's side displayed composure, attacking quality and impressive accuracy throughout that final, suggesting they have all the ingredients required for a lengthy county run. Confidence will be understandably high, but they face another stern examination against fellow divisional champions Clonakenny. Should they reproduce the standards shown in the western championship, Arravale Rovers will fancy their chances of progressing deep into the competition. Group prediction – 2nd

Carrick Davins

The South club has traditionally produced skilful hurlers capable of competing with the best intermediate sides. Their challenge will be maintaining consistency against three well-organised opponents. If they can tighten defensively and bag an opening round victory, Carrick Davins possess enough quality to progress beyond the group stages. Group prediction – 4th

Clonakenny

Off the back of relegation from premier intermediate last year, Clonakenny’s Mid title success over Holycross/Ballycahill provides enormous confidence entering the county championship. Under Darragh O'Malley, Clonakenny have developed into a balanced team combining defensive discipline with dangerous attacking options. Their opening meeting with Arravale Rovers promises to be one of the standout games of the opening round and could have a major bearing on qualification. Group prediction – 1st

Shannon Rovers

Shannon Rovers are always renowned for honesty, work rate and fierce determination. They may not attract the same headlines as some rivals, but last year’s North champions possess enough experienced performers in the guise of Matt Tierney and Eamonn Hough to frustrate stronger teams and they will be undoubtedly gunning to atone for a poor North semi-final performance. If Shannon Rovers can return to their 2025 form, they are well capable of reaching the quarter-finals. Group prediction – 3rd

GROUP 3

Ballingarry

Ballingarry begin their county campaign seeking immediate redemption following their defeat in the South final. Managed by Niall O'Donnell, they showed throughout the divisional championship that they possess plenty of quality, only to suffer heartbreak against Skeheenarinky in dramatic fashion. The repeat meeting between the two sides promises another fiercely competitive contest. Ballingarry will believe they have learned valuable lessons from that defeat and should enter the county championship with renewed determination. Their response to that disappointment could define the direction of their campaign. Group prediction – 2nd

Cappawhite

Managed by Eamonn Buckley, Cappawhite remain one of the county's most respected intermediate clubs. They consistently produce committed, hardworking teams capable of matching any opponent on their day and they will really be gunning to go one step further this year following their 2025 semi-final defeat to eventual champions Golden-Kilfeacle. If Cappawhite establish early momentum, few teams will relish facing them in the latter stages of the competition. Group prediction – 1st

Holycross-Ballycahill

Holycross-Ballycahill step up a level as 2025 junior ‘A’ champions but the Mid Tipperary final loss to Clonakenny was certainly a grounding. Their talented younger players continue to develop within one of Tipperary's strongest hurling clubs, and this competition offers another valuable opportunity for them to gain championship experience. Holycross-Ballycahill have the ability to surprise several opponents. Group prediction – 4th

Skeheenarinky

History was made when Skeheenarinky captured their first-ever South Tipperary Intermediate title recently. Captained by James Barry, they produced one of the moments of the championship so far when former Tipperary football captain Conor Sweeney blasted home a spectacular injury-time goal to secure a thrilling victory over Ballingarry. The challenge now is maintaining those standards on the county stage. Confidence, belief and championship momentum make Skeheenarinky genuine dark horses and remember they will have the safety net of a county preliminary quarter-final regardless of how matters go for them in the group stages. Group prediction – 3rd

GROUP 4

Ballybacon/Grange

Ballybacon-Grange will be hoping to atone for a disappointing 2025 campaign and to reach the knockout stages for them would be a major boost. They possess several experienced performers who understand the demands of county championship hurling, while their traditional fighting spirit should never be underestimated. A positive start would significantly enhance their prospects of progressing. Group prediction – 4th

Borrisokane

John Egan's Borrisokane will be eager to improve upon last year's impressive county campaign, which ended with semi-final defeat to Knockavilla Kickhams. That experience should prove invaluable this season, as many of the squad have now sampled the pressures of championship knockout hurling. Borrisokane possess plenty of pace, experience and scoring ability, and they should again be viewed as one of the stronger contenders in this year's championship. Anything less than a quarter-final appearance would represent disappointment. Group prediction – 1st

Moyle Rovers

Moyle Rovers will be hoping to build steadily through the group stage. They have consistently demonstrated strong underage development in recent years, and that emerging talent now has the opportunity to make an impression at intermediate level. If they can remain competitive in that fixture and gain confidence, Moyle Rovers have enough ability to challenge seriously for qualification. Group prediction – 3rd

Newport

Despite the disappointment of losing the North Tipperary Intermediate final to Portroe, Newport remain a highly capable side with ambitions of making a significant impact under the experienced Seamus "Cheddar" Plunkett. Few managers possess his championship pedigree, and he will undoubtedly have his players fully prepared to respond positively after divisional final defeat. Newport demonstrated throughout the North championship that they can compete at a high level and will believe they have unfinished business. If they quickly regain confidence, they possess all the attributes required to qualify from Group Four and potentially challenge for county honours. Group prediction – 2nd