Cork Hurling: John Horgan picks the teams to beat in Senior A and Premier Intermediate

The opening weekend of the club championship across the grades could well be described as a festival of hurling.

Here on Leeside, with so many clubs participating in those grades, the best way to describe things is that there's something for everybody in the audience, an audience that stretches right across the city and county.

As we have stated on many occasions, the current format has been a massive success, every club getting a fair crack at the whip. If you are good enough, the season is extended, if not, there cannot be too much complaint.

Every club is guaranteed at least three games, every grade from Premier Senior down is ultra competitive, little or no margin for error in a tight enough schedule with the opening game always of paramount importance.

The decision to have two tiers at all levels has worked out much better than past systems because, let's be honest, some teams were not up to the standard required in the grade that they competed in.

Now if a club is on a bit of a downward trajectory in the top flight, they have the opportunity to reset to rise again.

We had a look at the PSHC earlier in the week and what clubs might be gaining an extension and now it's time to have a glance or two on how things might transpire at Senior A level and in the PIHC grade.

At the higher level it's mostly just five or six clubs that are pencilled in to lift the title whereas in the second tier of senior and premier intermediate the field is much leveller and trying to predict an outright winner is much more difficult.

In fact, it could be said that all participants in those two lower grades are in with a decent shout and a team not listed among the leading contenders at the outset can come through and do the business.

Let's begin with the Senior A competition, again featuring three groups of four.

Group 1: Blarney, Castlelyons, Watergrasshill and Ballyhea are battling it out to be in the top two.

Castlelyons were beaten finalists last season and that has to have them in the frame again this time, lose one to win one, all that kind of stuff which, of course, is not always the case.

Blarney lost in the semi-final to Castlelyons and they are again powered by Cork stars, Mark Coleman, Shane Barrett and Padraig Power, a pretty solid foundation you'd have to say.

However, the Hill are now a fairly seasoned outfit, well-balanced and are sure to be very much in the equation too.

Their East Cork derby encounter against neighbours from up the road, Castlelyons could decide quite a lot.

Ballyhea are always a troublesome opponent, never easily overcome and will dig in to the end.

There is the potential for some very close encounters in this group with no outright favourite but sticking the neck out and with little conviction, we'll go for Blarney and Castlelyons to progress.

League form could be used as a guide and then again maybe not, with teams being depleted for various reasons.

Group 2: Erin's Own will be fully aware of the need to bounce back immediately after their relegation from the top flight last season.

The Glen did that when they went down but Na Piarsaigh are finding it far more difficult to do so although they were very competitive last season.

They are in this group alongside Erin's Own, Killeagh and Fermoy, maybe the right description here would be a group of death but surely that applies in all three groups.

Group 3: You have Carrigtwohill, Inniscarra, Ballinhassig and Courcey Rovers, the latter surviving a relegation decider against Bishopstown.

By their very nature, the men from Ballinspittle are battlers and their local derby with Ballinhassig will be critical.

Carrigtwohill had some fine results in the league and is a club seemingly on an upward trajectory again.

There is a youthful look about quite a few of their players and the Walsh boys, Sean and Patrick, are always very much to the fore. However, Sean suffered a cruciate injury which was a big blow coming into championship.

Every grade is ultra competitive, one or two might look easier to predict the outcome of but in general the entire competition provides plenty of drama right up to the conclusion of the opening phase.

Premier Intermediate

The one grade, however, that you might be correct in stating that all 12 teams are in with a shout and from one year to the next, the only certainty is the uncertainty.

That is, of course, the Premier Intermediate grade, a field of 12 runners with very little separating them. 

Group 2: In this season's competition, the standout section is surely Group 2.

All four teams are from the same division, two teams from the one parish, Dungourney and Castlemartyr, Cloyne and Lisgoold.

One is not certain if that ever occurred before but when you have clubs so close together, it heightens the interest considerably.

And it all begins in Midleton next Sunday afternoon, two local derbies, Castlemartyr taking on Lisgoold followed by Dungourney against Cloyne, a repeat of their league final a few weeks ago when Cloyne were victorious.

Castlemartyr are severely handicapped by the absence of Cork's glittering star, Ciarán Joyce and a player of his stature would be a huge loss to any team.

A few seasons ago, they were within seconds of graduating to the Senior A grade only to be denied by a last-gasp goal from Inniscarra's Colm Casey.

It's often stated that a team gets only one shot at glory and in this grade, in particular, redemption can be very difficult.

Dungourney and Cloyne were beaten semi-finalists last season, Castlemartyr got through in a relegation decider and Lisgoold got the better of Mallow to ensure their safety.

Sunday's two openers are crucial for all four clubs, getting off to a winning start sets you up nicely for the next two games.

One thing is certain, the superb Midleton venue will be packed to the rafters for this double-header.

Group 1: Ballincollig, beaten finalists last season, will be fancied to emerge but again there's uncertainty and relegated Bishopstown and Mid Cork duo Éire Óg and Aghabullogue will bring their battling qualities in a group comprising three teams from the Muskerry division.

A betting person might be placing a few bob on Ballincollig and Aghabullogue to extend their season but in all three groups, it might be advisable to hold on to your money.

Group 3: You have local derbies galore with three Carrigdhoun clubs involved, Carrigaline, Valley Rovers and Ballymartle.

Carrigaline lost a final in recent times in 2024 and they are probably the number one fancy in this grade. Then again, can you say that with any great conviction? Every game on this opening weekend has a fascination all of its own and as stated, not one team can be ruled in or ruled out.

That is and has been the nature of the PIHC.