Premier IHC permutations: Ballinhassig-Kilworth saga sums up grade's even nature

While they exited the grade with last year’s victory, Watergrasshill served as the ideal example of the fine margins at play in the Co-op SuperStores Cork Premier IHC.

In 2021, they lost three group games and had to beat Aghada in the relegation play-off; across 2022 and 2023, they drew five out of six matches, losing the other, and failed to qualify from their group; then, last year, they beat everyone they met, making it up to senior A.

With the Hill gone, Ballinhassig and Kilworth are perhaps the best exhibit to put forward to show just how even it all is. A year ago, they Ballinhassig their opener to Dungourney by a point and then beat Ballymartle – the other two teams, and Kilworth, all went in to the last set of games with two points, essentially making them preliminary quarter-finals.

Ballinhassig beat Kilworth, who would have to overcome Aghabullogue in the relegation game; the south-east side went on to meet Carrigaline in a quarter-final derby clash – Carrig, having lost two of their three group matches, won that and made the final, losing to Watergrasshill. The year previous, it hadn't been as tight but the Kilworth-Ballinhassig final-round meeting again was winner-take-all and Kilworth's victory gave them a springboard to reach the final.

In 2025, Ballinhassig opened their campaign with a superb Group 2 win over Ballincollig but then fell to Castlemartyr in their second match. Once again, everyone in the group is tied on two points facing into the third round of games (all on Sunday at 2pm) – once again, Kilworth provide the opposition for Ballinhassig in Rathcormac. One of them will advance and so will one of the Ballincollig or Castlemartyr, who clash in Carrigtwohill.

It probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that the middle grade of five different levels is so finely poised, though, whereas a year ago, all six knockout spots were up for grabs ahead of the final round, this time around only five are available.

Having been relegated from senior A last year, Cloyne might have feared that it would be difficult to halt the downward momentum but wins over Carrigaline and Ballymartle mean that they have secured top spot in Group 1 with a game to spare.

Even if the east Cork side were to lose to Éire Óg in Mayfield, they would have the head-to-head advantage on whoever finishes second – equally, Éire Óg will finish fourth regardless of what happens.

The Carrigdhoun derby between Ballymartle and Carrigaline in Minane Bridge is a shootout for second place and a quarter-final spot; Carrigaline have the scoring-difference advantage should the game finish in a draw.

In Group 3, Dungourney have four points, like Cloyne do, but that is not yet enough to guarantee progression.

However, in beating Mallow and Valley Rovers by an aggregate of 15 points, the Imokilly outfit have put themselves in a position where they would have to lose by nine points against Lisgoold in Castlelyons, with Valleys requiring a win of at least ten against Mallow in such a scenario to edge Dungourney out.

If, on the other hand, Dungourney were to make it three wins from three and Mallow triumphed agaisnt Valleys in Páirc Uí Rinn, there would be a three-way tie for second place on two points.