Cork hurling championships preview: Another competitive Premier IHC campaign in store

Last year, no team had qualified for the knockout stages of the Co-op SuperStores Premier IHC prior to the final set of fixtures.

All 12 sides went into their last group match with a chance of advancing, with one section poised with all four clubs on two points each.

While Ballincollig won Group 2 with six points from six, Mallow, Éire Óg and Aghabullogue finished level on two points each, with scoring-difference having to be used to separate them. Mallow, who took second place, reached the semi-finals – Aghabullogue were placed fourth and ended up relegated after a replay defeat to Kilworth.

Such evenness across the board means that the dozen clubs on the starting gride for the new campaign will know that they have a chance of success, but that, equally, nothing can be taken for granted and the year will end with a good team having to re-grade to intermediate A level.

Castlemartyr and Kilworth opened the third-tier proceedings last night with a Group 2 clash and that pool will be fully up and running tonight as Ballincollig and Ballinhassig do battle at Church Road.

Last year’s beaten finalists Carrigaline take on the side relegated from senior A, Cloyne, in Group 1 in Cobh on Sunday; Ballymartle and Éire Óg meet in that section on Saturday. The intermediate A winners Lisgoold are in Group 3 and start off against Valley Rovers tomorrow while Dungourney and Mallow go head-to-head on Sunday.

Russell Rovers will look to build on last year’s Premier JHC title when they clash with Bandon in Group 1 of the IAHC on Sunday. Five of the six matches in that grade are on Sunday, with only the meeting of Sarsfields and Youghal taking place tomorrow night. Aghabullogue, who won this grade in 2023 but then suffered that relegation last year, will look to get off on the right foot as they play Blackrock.

St Catherine’s were the side beaten by Russell Rovers in the premier junior final last year and they face a tricky tie against Glen Rovers’ second team. Tracton, who bounced back from their 2023 relegation to win the JAHC last year, are in action against Argideen Rangers on Saturday.

CO-OP SUPERSTORES INTERMEDAITE AND JUNIOR FIXTURES 

Friday, August 1 (7.30pm) 

Premier IHC – Group 2: Ballincollig v Ballinhassig, Church Road.

Premier JHC – Group 2: Kilbrittain v Barryroe, Clonakilty.

Saturday, August 2 

Premier IHC – Group 1: Ballymartle v Éire Óg, Ballinhassig, 7.30pm; Group 3: Lisgoold v Valley Rovers, Carrigaline, 7.30pm.

IAHC – Group 2: Sarsfields v Youghal, Cloyne, 7.30pm.

Premier JHC – Group 3: Ballygarvan v Milford, Killavullen, 5.30pm; Argideen Rangers v Tracton, Bandon, 7.30pm.

Sunday, August 3 

Premier IHC – Group 1: Carrigaline v Cloyne, Cobh, 3pm; Group 3: Dungourney v Mallow, Castletownroche, 3.30pm.

IAHC – Group 1: Mayfield v Midleton, Riverstown, 2pm; Bandon v Russell Rovers, Riverstick, 3pm; Group 2: Aghabullogue v Blackrock, Ballincollig, 2pm; Group 3: Aghada v Kildorrery, Caherlag, 2pm; Ballygiblin v Erin’s Own, Castlelyons, 6.30pm.

Premier JHC – Group 1: Glen Rovers v St Catherine’s, Lisgoold, 1.30pm; St Finbarr’s v Meelin, Ballygiblin, 1.30pm; Group 2: Cloughduv v Nemo Rangers, Ballyanly, 1.30pm.