Tag Archives: Intermediate Hurling

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 …

With the Junior B and C Hurling Championships commencing this weekend, winning isn’t everything as the emphasis is equally on placings ahead of next year’s adult hurling championship restructure. Following the ratification of the Clare Hurling Structures Review Committee’s proposal in December, the introduction of Premier Intermediate and Junior B Championships for 2025 will extended the adult hurling championships to an unprecedented eight tiers in a bid to increase the number of meaningful matches, improve player retention as well as the attractiveness of the club championships. While the senior race for the Canon Hamilton remains the same 16 team competition, the remaining seven grades (Premier Junior C and Junior C depending on numbers) will be ten team championships split into two groups of five, with the group winners progressing to semi-finals while the second and third placed teams in each group face off in quarter-finals. With every match, minute and score potentially decisive, it should make for some exciting fare …