Runners and Riders in the Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
By Liam Hogan
GROUP 1
Gortnahoe/Glengoole
Beaten semi-finalists in the last two years, this team will be fancied to make the knockout stages once more. However, their recent Mid championship run was curtailed niggling injuries. Both Cian Hayes and Davie Nolan were first half absentees in their semi-final defeat to eventual champions Thurles Sarsfields a few weeks ago. Group prediction - 1st
Moyne-Templetuohy
After a surprising win over Gortnahoe in the Mid semi-final, they lost to Thurles Sarsfields in the final. Lacking numbers and consistency seems to be a problem but should have Tipp forward Gearoid O’Connor back in harness for the county championship. Not helpful to a team involved in the relegation battle last year. Group prediction – 4th
Sean Treacys
It won’t be a lack of effort but is it enough to bring them to last eight. They won one game in last year’s county championship to finish third and outside the relegation battle. Three teams completed in the west campaign over the last few weeks and Treacys finished third. Group Prediction - 3rd
Silvermines
Their victory over Ballina in the recent North final will give the team confidence. The graph continues to rise. The return of Michael Corcoran has been welcome. Jason Forde continues to produce the leadership in attack with lots talented younger guns providing great assistance. They were defeated quarter finalists in last year’s county championship losing to Carrick Swan by three points. Group prediction – 2nd
GROUP 2
Carrick Swan
Hoping to reach the final for the third year running, their six point loss to Upperchurch/Drombane in last year’s county final must have hurt. Keeping the same standards in a prolonged period can be hard to maintain. An eleven point defeat to Mullinahone in the recent South semi-final didn’t help but they have enough talent to reach the knockout stage. Group prediction - 2nd
Killenaule
Difficult to know how the real Killenaule team will play? Fell to Upperchurch/Drombane in last year’s quarter final. Moving on to the 2026 south senior championship where they suffered a seven point loss to eventual champions St. Marys. They always have the chance to surprise and the lure of a county title always entices. Group prediction – 3rd
St Marys
Winning the South Championship last week was a welcome boost to a club that has made gradual progress over the past few years. They defeated Mullinahone in the final just a week after defeating Killenaule in the semi-final. Taking the pre-liminary route might be the best bet though. Group prediction – 1st
Thurles Sarsfields
Another divisional winner but any club that has a first and second team taking part in the top two tiers can be a headache and this will surely hurt them. Taking the preliminary route may suit best. Group prediction - 4th
GROUP 3
Burgess
This team with a mixture of youth and experience is heading in the right direction but depends much on the form of Donagh Maher and captain Johnny Mulqueen. Last year, they survived relegation, just, but they may have to wait another season if they are to figure in the knockout stage. Group prediction – 3rd
Moneygall
Moneygall’s injury list curtailed their North Championship hopes. So far this year they won their quarter final against Burgess despite needing all their wits to survive at the end of the hour. However, they lost to Silvermines in the semi-final thanks to a short puckout passage that went awry. However, the return of centre back Shay Gleeson and Sean Kenneally should be a boost but they will need a bigger return from their attack which depends much on Joe Fogarty. Group prediction – 2nd
Lorrha
Lorrha return to the grade following relegation from senior last year. Their experience at that level should make them leading contenders. Expectations can be a heavy load to carry. They lost to Ballina in the North semi-final in a game they could have won. Colm Fogarty’s fitness is a cause for concern. Group prediction – 1st
Templederry Kenyons
The team of legends who brought much joy to the club over the last two decades has slowly slipped away year on year. Sean Ryan is an absentee too with the leading scorer from play looking after matters across the Atlantic. They were involved in relegation with Burgess last year but survived. Can they avoid the same this year? Group prediction – 4th
GROUP 4
Ballina
Losing to Silvermines in the North final was a disappointment. Their injury list was long and losing Josh Egan added to it. They have plenty of talent but have they enough to make the top two? Last year they reached the quarter final against Gortnahoe/Glengoole. Good back to back campaigns can be a difficult hurdle to maintain. Can they maintain this level of effort? Group prediction – 3rd
Boherlahan-Dualla
Losing to Carrick Swans in last year’s county semi-final, was a setback in a year of promise. Moving forward to 2026 when they surprisingly lost to Moyne-Templetuohy in the Mid. Not a great start then. Will need to be at their best in this group of death. Group prediction – 2nd
Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill
Just crowned West champions, following their 4-28 to 1-29 extra time victory over newly promoted Golden Kilfeacle last weekend. Always a team to feature in the knockout battle, they lost narrowly to Moneygall in the preliminary quarter final last year and will feature again later this autumn. Group prediction – 1st
Golden Kilfeacle
Golden Kilfeacle have been one of the better teams to capture the County Intermediate title in recent years. Their recent West final display when losing to Eire Og Annacarty will help in terms of stepping up to the Preliminary Intermediate grade but could be a step too far. Group prediction – 4th