Ballinhassig and Upperchurch Drombane: Two hurling teams making most of championship chances
Ballinhassig's Ger Collins is a lethal free-taker and hit 4-38 in his last five games. Picture: David Creedon
At times, Ballinhassig and Upperchurch-Drombane have survived by the finest of margins. Now, they are hoping to thrive on the opportunity of a Munster Intermediate campaign.
Rewind to the weekend of September 7, long before thoughts of a provincial run had entered the equation. The final round of the hurling group stages were down for decision in Cork and Tipperary.
That Saturday, Upperchurch looked to have their bags packed when trailing Ballina by two points deep in stoppage time. However, Gavin Ryan’s 75-metre free dropped under the crossbar and lifted them from third place to first. Thereafter, the year opened up for them.
On the following afternoon, Ballinhassig were on the way out when trailing Kilworth by the minimum well into added time. The Blues snatched the final two points for a crazy swing in permutations.
From a likely fourth-place finish and potential relegation play-off, they jumped up to first on the head-to-head rule and grabbed a semi-final bye on score difference. Like The Church, they made the most of their second chance.
The Paddy Phelan-inspired Church outlasted Gortnahoe-Glengoole in a nail-biting finish before upsetting the odds to conquer Carrick Swan in the Tipp Premier Intermediate final.
Although they haven’t competed in Munster since 2012, the Leeside club retain plenty of institutional know-how. They won the All-Ireland Junior title in 2003 and added the Munster Intermediate crown in 2005 before falling short in a second national final at Croke Park.
Remarkably, Fintan O’Leary played in that 2003 final as a 16-year-old and won his third Cork Premier Intermediate title last month at 39.
Upperchurch haven’t the same provincial pedigree entering this semi-final, but their trump card could be the Senior experience accumulated over recent decades.
It’s only three years since they were Senior semi-finalists, and two since they were pipped in a Mid Tipp SHC final by Thurles Sarsfields. All the while, they’ve become contenders at the highest level of Tipp football, too.
Last year, the hurlers were undone by Cashel King Cormacs’ sensational six-goal blitz in an extra-time classic; 6-21 to 2-28. They have taken measures to avoid any repeat of that landslide. In six games this autumn, they have conceded just four goals.
Keith and Gavin Ryan anchor a watertight defence, which has been boosted by the addition of All-Ireland minor winner Toby Corbett.
While they are built around seasoned campaigners, they have mixed in some rising stars, such as Corbett and Phelan, who has been their top scorer from play with 1-15.
The Shanahan brothers, Paul and Luke, are consistent performers alongside Paudie Greene, Conor Fahey, and Pat Ryan in attack.
Ballinhassig have plenty of exciting talents in their ranks. Centre-back Darragh O’Sullivan can lay down a marker for increased opportunities under Ben O’Connor. His younger brother, Adam, is also an U20 All-Ireland winner on the rise.
All-Star nominee Patrick Collins provides a strong puck-out platform. Up front, Ger Collins has scored 4-38 in five games (1-9 from play), putting in a captain’s performance in the county final to take man-of-the-match honours.
Competition for places is strong, with Evan Cullinane, Seán Lombard and Adam O’Sullivan making big impacts as they worked their way back from injury. The month off will help them get those key forwards fully fit.
They will expect to provide a rigorous test of that Church defence. Whereas the Tipp men have netted four times in six games, Ballinhassig have bagged 11 goals in five championship outings.
Despite not playing at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for over a decade, they elevated their game to the occasion. They can carry confidence from that up the road to FBD Semple Stadium.
The Church’s celebrations didn’t drag on as they faced a quick turnaround for a narrow Senior football semi-final defeat to Clonmel Commercials. That run-out should benefit them on Sunday.
Tipp clubs haven’t won Munster Intermediate silverware since Silvermines in 2012. However, regrading their Senior B competition to Premier Intermediate has boosted their prospects in recent years. Roscrea and Cashel got to provincial finals in 2022 and ‘24, respectively. The county will feel overdue for a breakthrough at this grade.
If the Church are to cause another upset, their cocktail of Senior experience and home advantage will be vital.
Yet, Cork clubs are going for three in a row, which makes Ballinhassig justifiable favourites to make it back to the Munster final 20 years on from their last visit.
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