Duhallow pull out of Premier SHC

Duhallow have withdrawn from the divisions and colleges section of the Co-op SuperStores Premier SHC.

Round one of phase one – featuring unseeded divisional sides – is due to get underway next Tuesday, June 9, with the draw having paired Duhallow with Muskerry while Avondhu are set to go up against Seandún.

The initial plan was that the winners of the Duhallow-Muskerry game would advance to phase two in early August, with the victors in the Avondhu-Seandún tie meeting Carbery on June 16.

Despite the withdrawal of the north-eastern division, the make-up of the draw remains unchanged, meaning Muskerry advance directly to the last four of the seeded section against one of the other three sides, while Imokilly go up against UCC on the other side of the draw.

The winners of those games will then face off for the Denis O’Riordan Cup and a place in the quarter-finals of the Premier SHC proper.

In 2020, the first year of the new championship format, UCC emerged from the divisions and colleges section and only lost to Blackrock in the semi-finals of the county championship after extra time.

Since then, however, Imokilly have dominated the feeder competition, completing five titles in a row last year and claiming outright championship glory under Denis Ring in 2024.

The East Cork division are on the hunt for a successor to the Cloughduv native following his decision to step down from the role. Ring, principal of Blackwater CS in Lismore, Co. Waterford, previously managed Cork at minor and U21 level, winning Munster championships at both grades.

Also on the lookout for a new manager are Kilkenny, following the departure of Derek Lyng.

A six-time All-Ireland winner as a player, Lyng took on the unenviable task of succeeding Brian Cody when he retired at the end of 2022.

The Emeralds clubman won the Leinster SHC in his first year in charge and took the Cats to the All-Ireland final, losing to Limerick as they had in Cody’s final season, but while provincial supremacy was retained in 2024 and 2025, they suffered national semi-final defeats to Clare and Tipperary respectively.

This year, they failed to qualify from the Leinster championship, with defeats to Galway and Dublin, as well as a draw with Offaly, leaving them in fourth place in the six-team section.

Kilkenny County Board chairperson PJ Kenny paid tribute to Lyng’s involvement as a player, selector under Cody and manager.

“Derek's contribution to Kilkenny hurling over almost three decades has been immense,” he said.

“His commitment to the county has never been in question, and he has always carried out his role with honesty, integrity and pride.

“On behalf of Kilkenny County Board and the people of Kilkenny, I would like to sincerely thank Derek for his outstanding service as a player, selector and manager.

“We are deeply grateful for everything he has done for Kilkenny hurling and wish him and his family every success in the future.”