Moving weekend in the County Hurling Championships

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Club Hurling Championship Round 2 Previews

By Shane Brophy

Friday, 7th August

Intermediate Hurling Championship

Group 1: Clonoulty/Rossmore v Knockavilla-D Kickhams in Annacarty @ 7.15pm.

A clash of West neighbours with both having lost on day one but last years runners-up Kickhams will be expected to bounce back after a narrow loss to Portroe. Verdict: Knockavilla-D Kickhams

Group 3: Ballingarry v Cappawhite in New Inn @ 7.15pm.

These sides have been familiar foes in recent years with both having the upper hand at times. They will both be expected to make the knockout stages regardless of the result here. Verdict: Draw

Saturday, 8th August

Senior Hurling Championship

Group 1: Holycross/Ballycahill v Thurles Sarsfields in Boherlahan @ 2.15pm.

A second championship clash of the summer between these great rivals with Holycross/Ballycahill having gained the upper hand in recent years, including last months Mid semi-final.

Holycross’ late win over Kilruane was noteworthy in terms of digging out a win in a tight game with a group of players largely still maturing. Despite two wins over Upperchurch/Drombane this summer, Sarsfields will be keen to see if they have bridged the gap to the nine point loss in their most recent clash. Verdict: Holycross/Ballycahill

Group 2: Clonoulty/Rossmore v Moycarkey/Borris in Boherlahan @ 4.00pm.

A clash of the underdog first round winners, whom can take a giant step to the quarter finals with another victory here. Moycarkey/Borris’ win over Loughmore/Castleiney was the most noteworthy but the pressure remains on as they have to finish in the top two to progress. That carrot might be what sees them past the West champions. Verdict: Moycarkey/Borris

Group 2: Borris-Ileigh v Loughmore/Castleiney at The Ragg @ 7.00pm.

A clash of the North and Mid champions who will likely have to rely on a preliminary quarter final if they fail to win here. Back to back defeats in hurling and football are rare for Loughmore but it should only steel them to improve and their experience might just be what shades this contest in their favour. Borris had their chances to beat Clonoulty and need to take them if they are to upset the champions. Verdict: Loughmore/Castleiney

Group 3: Drom & Inch v Roscrea in Templemore @ 3.00pm.

Both teams are under pressure to get the win after round 1 losses, particularly Roscrea who have a red hot Cashel still to come. To score 28 points and still lose will be both and concern and welcome for Drom but it is hard to think Roscrea will allow a game to become that open though both teams have goalkeepers are very adept at finding their men. Verdict: Drom & Inch

Group 3: Cashel King Cormacs v Kiladangan in Templemore @ 5.00pm.

Arguably the tie of the round in what is a repeat of the Division 1 League final won by Cashel in June. That should focus the minds of Kiladangan as they hurled well in that game but the concession of goals proved to be their downfall. The injury to James Quigley was key in the outcome and the full-back is nearing a return. Cashel play at a high tempo with players given licence to find space and it will be interesting to see if Kiladangan can get a handle on it. Verdict: Draw

Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Group 2: Carrick Swan v St Mary’s in Fethard @ 6.30pm.

Tie of the round in the premier intermediate between the last two South champions. Back to back county finalists Swan could be eliminated with a defeat and that edge might be decisive. Verdict: Carrick Swan

Group 3: Burgess v Templederry Kenyons in Toomevara @ 2.15pm.

Not as pressurised as their last meeting in a relegation playoff last year which Templederry edged with the help of a Sean Ryan hat-trick. The Kenyons talisman returns from the States just in time and his class might just be what edges this one. Verdict: Draw

Group 4: Ballina v Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill in Kilcommon @ 7.00pm.

It’s back to Kilcommon for Ballina and a chance for redemption after their poor showing in the first round loss to Golden Kilfeacle. The football win over Aherlow will have boosted confidence and they need it to try and get the better of the West champions fell to Boherlahan on day one. Verdict: Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill

Group 4: Boherlahan-Dualla v Golden Kilfeacle in Dundrum @ 7.00pm.

A repeat of the 2023 county intermediate final which Boherlahan-Dualla won decisively but Golden Kilfeacle didn’t wait long to follow them up and these cross divisional neighbours have the quality to content strong this year to get up to senior. How the Mid men curtail Ben Currivan and Jack Leamy will be key to the outcome. Verdict: Draw

Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 4

Ballybacon/Grange v Moyle Rovers in Cahir @ 6.00pm.

Both sides were first round losers but Moyle Rovers showed more in their defeat, however, divisional match-ups can turn into battles. Verdict: Moyle Rovers

Sunday, 9th August

Senior Hurling Championship

Group 1: Kilruane MacDonaghs v Upperchurch/Drombane in Templederry @ 6.30pm.

The last time these sides met was in a 2023 relegation semi-final, won by Kilruane which helped send Upperchurch towards the drop. They have bounced back but have found the going tough on their return, conceding 0-24 and 0-28 in defeats to Thurles Sarsfields.

Kilruane will be stung by not seeing out the game against Holycross and will have to find a new keeper with Paidi Williams set to miss the game through suspension after his late red card last time out. Verdict: Kilruane MacDonaghs

Group 4: JK Brackens v Toomevara in Borrisoleigh @ 4.00pm.

These sides met at the same venue last year in a preliminary quarter final which Toomevara edged. However, Brackens come into this rematch in a better frame of mind, fully focused on hurling this year going on their heavy football loss last weekend. Toome were fortunate to earn a draw against Mullinahone and will need to up a gear to get anything from this one. A fit again Darragh McCarthy would be a help. Verdict: JK Brackens

Group 4: CJ Kickhams Mullinahone v Nenagh Eire Og in Templetuohy @ 6.30pm.

The pressure is really on Nenagh Eire Og as last years county finalists could be eliminated with a second loss and other results not going their way. They have lacked control of contests in their last three outings but with so much at stake, they should get the win over a Mullinahone side who are impressing despite being short key players and will be keen for a better showing than in last years corresponding meeting. Verdict: Nenagh Eire Og

Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Group 1: Moyne-Templetuohy v Sean Treacys in Borrisoleigh @ 2.00pm.

The sides produced the most eye-catching results in the opening round and Moyne-Templetuohy will be boosted by the return of Gearoid O’Connor to boost their attack. Treacys record over their Mid rivals is good and it may continue. Verdict: Draw

Group 1: Gortnahoe/Glengoole v Silvermines in Drombane @ 2.30pm.

Gortnahoe will have been frustrated at their inability to hold out in a draw with Moyne. They haven’t hit their straps yet this year while Silvermines won’t want to have to rely on their North success to access the knockout stages. Verdict: Gortnahoe/Glengoole

Group 2: Killenaule v Thurles Sarsfields in Littleton @ 2.00pm.

An intriguing clash between a Killenaule side that, at their best as they showed against St Mary’s, can be contenders but their inconsistency has been an issue in recent years. They will have to be on it against Mid champions Thurles Sarsfields who have been impressive so far. Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields

Group 3: Lorrha v Moneygall in Nenagh @ 4.00pm.

The sides last met in the intermediate county final in 2022, won by Lorrha with Moneygall following them up two years later. Winning starts takes the pressure off but both have key injury issues to overcome in terms of Patrick Maher & Michael Dolan for Lorrha and Moneygall skipper Joe Fogarty. Verdict: Draw

Intermediate Hurling Championship

Group 1: Kilsheelan/Kilcash v Portroe in Holycross @ 6.30pm.

Two impressive round one winners and with Paul Maher and Mark Kehoe back in the tow, Kilsheelan are building towards a strong title challenge. Verdict: Kilsheelan/Kilcash

Group 2: Carrick Davins v Clonakenny in Cashel @ 5.00pm.

Davins were decisively beaten in round 1 and Clonakenny should have too much quality as well. Verdict: Clonakenny

Group 2: Arravale Rovers v Shannon Rovers in Newport @ 6.30pm.

A repeat of last years preliminary quarter final which Arravale won on penalties and they have kicked on winning a West title and were impressive winners over Clonakenny. Verdict: Arravale Rovers

Group 3: Holycross/Ballycahill v Skeheenarinky in Golden @ 2.30pm.

Last years junior ‘A’ champions Holycross/Ballycahill have found the step up tough and facing the South champions, it doesn’t get any easier. Verdict: Skeheenarinky

Group 4: Borrisokane v Newport in Nenagh @ 2.15pm.

Borrisokane were decisive winners in their most recent clash in a North semi-final twelve months ago. Both made winning starts to the group but Borris will be more battle-hardened from theirs. Verdict: Borrisokane