Intermediate predictability dashed by compelling Group 4

Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 3, Group 1
Clarecastle v Smith O’Brien’s at Páirc Micheál Uí hEithir Cratloe, Saturday 5pm, (Andy McMahon, Cratloe)

They’ve met regularly in the Clare Cup and even the Magpies’ second string have battled Smith O’Brien’s but at adult championship level, this appears to be the first time that their flagship sides have clashed.
It would potentially have been a heavyweight showdown if the Killaloe-Bridgetown side were at their 2021 or ’22 levels while it will still be a battle, the loss of key players to emigration for Smith O’Brien’s should mean that Clarecastle possess the better balance to shade matters and top the group.
Verdict: Clarecastle

Ruan v St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield at Crusheen, Saturday 5pm, (Jim Hickey, Cratloe)

It’s only three years ago since St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield’s first team raided for five goals to floor Ruan in the intermediate semi-final. However, it’s a strong sign of the Parish that while their first team is now operating at senior level, their second team is fighting hard ahead of the intermediate championship split for 2025.
All things considered, Ruan should have sufficient firepower to weather any derby strom and pull away in the final quarter as they looked to secure their third quarter-final spot in four years.
Verdict: Ruan

Group 2
Sixmilebridge v Ogonnelloe at Glenomra Park Broadford, Saturday 3pm, (Fearghal Gray, Feakle)

Sixmilebridge’s second string admirably continue to defy the odds with back-to-back victories so far over Tubber and Newmarket meaning that a win or draw here will ensured top spot in Group 2 and a valuable seeded quarter-final berth.
Ogonnelloe have yet to reach their own standards and have worryingly conceded seven goals in their two outings so far which means that they seem destined for next year’s intermediate and not premier intermediate tier. Only two points separated them last year but the ‘Bridge seem more assured while Ogonnelloe seem more porous.
Verdict: Sixmilebridge

Tubber v Newmarket-on-Fergus at Páirc Finne Corofin, Saturday 3pm, (Niall Malone, Éire Óg)

Having both lowered Ogonnelloe, Tubber and Newmarket are presented with a welcome final round showdown for a last eight spot and just as significantly a place in the Premier Intermediate Championship for 2025.
Tubber have had the better of their clashes with the Blues’ second string, with two comprehensive victories in the last five years making them favourites but perhaps by not as big a margin as their nine point reverse two years ago.
Verdict: Tubber

Group 3
Wolfe Tones v Bodyke at Hamilton Park Kilkishen, Friday 6pm

It’s all or nothing for Bodyke as they look to produce the shock of the championship to date in a last ditch attempt to progress to their fourth quarter-final in five seasons. The damage was ultimately inflicted with a first round reverse to Killanena which leaves them having to try and topple intermediate favourites Wolfe Tones whose scoring difference is so healthy that they could even afford to lose the game and still comfortable qualify for the knock-out stages. Bodyke would have to win by seven to achieve that feat which won’t happen.
Verdict: Wolfe Tones

Broadford v Killanena at Whitegate, Friday 6pm (Joe Mullins, Whitegate)

Contrasting campaigns mean that Killanena enter as raging hot favourites to bounce back to winning ways and qualify for their first intermediate quarter-final in five seasons. It would be a welcome shot-in-the-arm for a side that was firmly in survival mode these past few years before the emergence of an exciting new crop led by Keith Smyth, Ian Macnamara and Ronan Keane. Broadford did superbly to win last year’s Junior A but have seen their side dismantled in the intervening period but crucially will still be intermediate for 2025.
Verdict: Killanena

Group 4
Tulla v Inagh-Kilnamona at Clarecastle Saturday 1pm (Pat Healy, Kilmaley)

While there’s a real scent of the inevitable surround the other three pools, Group 4 has been the gift that will hopefully keep on giving this Saturday as all four can still legitimately reach the quarter-finals. Surprisingly, 2022 finalists Tulla are the least likely to do so as back-to-back opening defeats mean that they need Parteen-Meelick to beat Whitegate and also require a six point win over Inagh-Kilnamona to pull off a miracle reprieve.Inagh-Kilnamona just need a win of any description to do likewise.
Verdict: Tulla

Parteen-Meelick v Whitegate at The Evicted Field Bodyke, Saturday 1pm, (Ger Hoey, Killanena)

After Round 1, these sides couldn’t have felt any more contrastingly as Parteen-Meelick took the considerable scalp of Tulla while Whitegate were convincingly beaten by Inagh-Kilnamona’s second string. However, while Parteen-Meelick have kept up their perfect start, a rousing Whitegate win over Tulla has put Niall Hayes’ side firmly back in the shop window, thus throwing a new light on this final round showdown. A positive result puts Parteen-Meelick through as seeded group winners; Whitegate win the group with their opponents as runners-up if Tulla and Whitegate prevail on Saturday while an Inagh-Kilnamona victory means that Whitegate would have to win by six in order to join them.
Verdict: Parteen-Meelick