2025 county championship draws: New seeding system only major change

While the current format for the Cork county championships has received overwhelming backing from players and remains in place for a sixth year, there is a change to the way seedings will operate for 2025.

The draws for the premier senior, senior A, premier intermediate, intermediate A and premier junior championships across hurling and football will take place at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh tonight, prior to the annual county convention.

Previously, there have been three seeding tranches in each of the 12-team grades – three first seeds, three second seeds and then six third/fourth seeds, with two in each group.

However, for next year’s competitions, things will be more simplified, with six A seeds and six B seeds in every tier.

In the Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC, the top six placings go to this year’s beaten finalists Sarsfields, the two beaten semi-finalists Blackrock and Midleton and the sides that exited at the quarter-final stage, Fr O’Neills, Kanturk and Newtownshandrum.

Castlehaven – who will be on the quest for the first senior football three-in-a-row since 2008 – are in the A tier for the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC with the team they beat in the final, Nemo Rangers, as well as well St Finbarr’s, Mallow, Clonakilty and Ballincollig.

While there had been a submission with regard to the sequencing of the round-robin games in hurling and football, the county board’s Competitions Control Committee (CCC) opted to retain the status quo. In addition, a proposal at the most recent county board meeting to introduce home and away fixtures did not receive sufficient backing from delegates.

At that meeting, it was also decided to alter the make-up of the county leagues so that each division would now consist of ten teams each.

As a result, relegation from Divisions 6 and 7 in both codes – currently eight teams each – was paused, with Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas, Killavullen, Killeagh and Passage added to Division 7 of the hurling league and Ballygarvan, Inniscarra, Kilmacabea, Liscarroll-Churchtown Gaels and Nemo Rangers’ third team now in the football Division 7 – St Finbarr’s have requested to return their second team to the city leagues.

Going forward, the bottom two sides in Division 7 shall be relegated to their divisional leagues, with the places taken by the county junior A league and championship winners. Sides relegated in the league shall retain their county championship place, however.

Cork County Championships seeding 2025

Premier SHC: A – Blackrock, Fr O’Neills, Kanturk, Midleton, Newtownshandrum, Sarsfields; B – Charleville, Douglas, Erin’s Own, Glen Rovers, Newcestown, St Finbarr’s.

Premier SFC: A – Ballincollig, Castlehaven, Clonakilty, Mallow, Nemo Ranagers, St Finbarr’s; B – Carbery Rangers, Carrigaline, Douglas, Newcestown, St Michael’s, Valley Rovers.

SAHC: A – Bishopstown, Blarney, Bride Rovers, Castlelyons, Killeagh, Na Piarsaigh; B – Ballyhea, Carrigtwohill, Courcey Rovers, Fermoy, Inniscarra, Watergrasshill.

SAFC: A – Bishopstown, Cill na Martra, Dohenys, Éire Óg, Kanturk, Knocknagree; B – Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh, Clyda Rovers, Fermoy, Kilshannig, Newmarket, O’Donovan Rossa.

Premier IHC: A – Ballincollig, Ballinhassig, Carrigaline, Cloyne, Dungourney, Mallow; B – Kilworth, Ballymartle, Castlemartyr, Éire Óg, Lisgoold, Valley Rovers.

Premier IFC: A – Aghabullogue, Bantry Blues, Kiskeam, Naomh Abán, Rockchapel, Uibh Laoire; B – Aghada, Bandon, Castletownbere, Glanmire, Macroom, Nemo Rangers.

IAHC: A – Aghabullogue, Ballygiblin, Blackrock, Erin’s Own, Mayfield, Midleton; B – Aghada, Bandon, Kildorrery, Russell Rovers, Sarsfields, Youghal.

IAFC: A – Adrigole, Boherbue, Gabriel Rangers, Glanworth, Ilen Rovers, Mitchelstown; B – Ballinora, Dromtariffe, Kildorrery, Kilmurry, St Finbarr’s, St Vincent’s.

Premier JHC: A – Ballygarvan, Cloughduv, Glen Rovers, Milford, Nemo Rangers, St Catherine’s; B – Argideen Rangers, Barryroe, Kilbrittain, Meelin, St Finbarr’s, Tracton.

Premier JFC: A – Buttevant, Canovee, Cobh, Glenville, Na Piarsaigh, Urhan; B – Ballydesmond, Cullen, Kinsale, Millstreet, St Nicholas, JAFC winners.