Eoin Brennan previews the intermediate hurling championships and pinpoints two sides as especially strong contenders

Group 1 – Tubber, Killanena, Inagh-Kilnamona, Sixmilebridge

It seems that if Tubber hadn’t bad luck, they wouldn’t have any luck at all as following three final defeats in the last four years, the loss of county stalwart Patrick O’Connor appears a hammerblow to their chances of redressing the balance. They still should have enough experience and firepower to top the group and put it up to anyone in the knock-out stages though.
With an injection of youth, Killanena have improved while Inagh-Kilnamona have caused the North Clare side difficulties in the past. But it’s Sixmilebridge’s second string that should prevail alongside the tranquil Tigers to the quarter-finals, depending on who they lose to their flagship side.

Group 2 – Smith O’Brien’s, O’Callaghan’s Mills, Cratloe, Tulla

No prizes for guessing the favourites for progression as Tulla and Smith O’Brien’s should be too strong for newcomers O’Callaghan’s Mills and a Cratloe side that have lost their last four ties to flagship opposition since overcoming Killanena in 2018.
A balanced Tulla along with St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield are the leading contenders for the intermediate crown but the former will be extremely wary after last year’s early exit in what was their first attempt at senior redemption. It should all come down to the final round at both ends of the championship as Tulla and Smith O’Brien’s clash to potentially clinch the group while the Mills and Cratloe face-off to avoid any demotion danger.

Group 3 – St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield, Clonlara, Parteen, Corofin

Much like Group 2, it’s initially seems rather clearcut as St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Corofin will be red hot favourites to advance to the last eight stage ahead of a group decider in the final round. Corofin should start to feel the benefit of Corofin/Ruan’s minor winning contingent from the last two seasons but the Parish should be a little further down the line in terms of maturity and consistency. Despite a decade of promises, Parteen have never fulfilled their potential and don’t seem to be currently on an upward curve while Clonlara’s chief objective will be to overcome their neighbours in a possible winner-stays-safe final round clash.

Group 4 – Bodyke, Clarecastle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ruan

Having served their time in the Junior A ranks, it’s now year four for Bodyke in the second tier, with last year’s breakthrough to the knock-out stages subsequently complemented by a battling quarter-final fightback against St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield that saw an 11 point deficit slashed to just three. Despite the considerable loss of manager Eric Minogue, they should be able to emulate that feat but it’s a little more cloudy after that as a last eight spot will be only a bonus to avoiding relegation trouble for the remaining trio. The final round showdown between Newmarket and Ruan could well be the clincher, with Ruan to capitalise if the Blues lose key players to their first team.