Progress, plateau or problem? Ranking every PSHC team by scoring difference
Sarsfields' Jack O'Connor is challenged by Tadgh O'Leary Hayes of Midleton during this year's PSHC final. Picture: ©Inpho/Tom Maher
Scoring difference rarely wins a championship, but it does offer a clean window into the consistency of a team across the season. Results will always be king – yet anyone who watched the 2025 Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship knows results don’t always tell the full truth.
When taken across a campaign, the numbers harden into pattern. They show who built momentum, who leaked – and when it mattered.
Here’s how the 12 clubs stacked up in scoring difference across the 2025 season.
Champions on the field, and champions on paper. Sars backed up last year’s improvements with another leap forward, +48 across six games, the biggest differential in the grade, and +17 better than 2024.
Levels above and, and crowned accordingly.
Back where they expect to be. Their semi-final exit stung, but the Rockies were far sharper defensively, far more ruthless with the ball, and made the biggest positive swing of any side in 2025.
An impressive scoring difference, goals the only feature to drop off a touch.
Back at the front end of the scoring difference table, and the business end of the championship. A solid scoring return, a largely improved season, points against the only real concern – but they were the closest side to landing a blow on Sars.
Outstanding going forward, undone at the back.
The final defeat to Sars skews things, but Midleton’s attacking return again places them among the best. A little looser in defence than 2024 – but still a positive campaign nonetheless.
A leap of real substance. Less prolific this time, but infinitely stronger at the back – just one goal conceded. Also worth noting their fourth game last year was a relegation playoff against Bishopstown, and this year, a quarter-final with Sars.
Returned to the top tier and settled immediately. Will feel there was more there, and there likely was. They’ll certainly go and prove that in 2026.
The best of any of the six teams not to make it out of the groups. Scored a little more than last year, but conceded far less. A much more competitive outfit.
Dropped off a little on last season, but were unfortunate not to get something from the campaign. Blackrock and St Finbarr’s proved to be too strong, but they should have beaten Douglas.
Ninth last season and ninth again this season, slightly worse on the differential. Flashes of last year’s fire when they ran the Glen close, but weren’t able to hit the same note as they did against the Barrs.
A steep decline. Goal return down, concession rate up, and only narrowly clear of a real relegation scare. But the young talent coming through is there to be harnessed. Expect a stark improvement in 2026.
Bewildering season. Scored more goals than anyone – yet dropped to Senior A. The biggest scoring difference drop off that any team in the PSHC faced. White flags were too short in supply, and they conceded way too much.
Bleak.
From -2 in 2023, to -31 in 2025. No goals, no foothold, no momentum. Trouble ahead unless something drastic shifts.
App?
