Premier IHC permutations: Four already through with two more spots up for grabs
Jack Walsh of Valley Rovers is launched into the air in a challenge against Kilworth's Brian Sheehan - Valleys are through while Kilworth face Carrigaline with both seeking to advance. Picture: Larry Cummins
Of all of the Co-op SuperStores Cork Hurling Championship grades, the Premier IHC has become a byword for competitiveness since the 2020 restructuring.
The ‘old’ premier intermediate, when it was the second tier, was always fairly equitable and entertaining. However, since the advent of the senior A grade and the repurposing of the Premier IHC as the third level, it has become a competition where the margins are gossamer-thin.
For example, prior to winning it – and then going on to Munster and All-Ireland success – Watergrasshill had failed to get out of their group in two consecutive years but it wasn’t as if they were being outclassed as they drew five games out of six.
Mallow made the semi-finals in 2024 and were relegated last year; Carrigaline were the beaten finalists that year against the Hill and they are battling to qualify this time around.
However, the consolation for them is that they are least still in the mix – three of the 12 sides cannot qualify, which is below-par for the grade. In recent years, there have been instances where all 12 were going into the last day battling to progress.
Carrigaline have a point on the board in Group 3 following their draw with Ballymartle two weeks ago; it kept both clubs alive after opening defeats but leaves them needing victories on Sunday.
For Carrig, Kilworth are the opposition in Páirc Uí Rinn and, with two points already registered, a win or a draw will send the north Cork side through with Valley Rovers.
The Innishannon outfit are guaranteed first place after wins over Carrigaline and Kilworth and will seek the third win would almost certainly send them to the semi-finals as they meet Ballymartle in Ballinspittle. If Ballymartle and Carrigaline were both to win, scoring difference would be called up – currently, the Riverstick side enjoy a two-point lead under this heading.
In Group 1, matters are decided in terms of who qualifies but the Muskerry derby between Aghabullogue and Ballincollig in Ballyanly could not be said to be meaningless: the winners will be going straight to the last four. Aghabullogue have the better scoring difference if the sides finish tied.
For Bishopstown and Éire Óg in Blarney, avoiding the relegation play-off is the name of the game – if it were to end in a draw, the city side’s minus-17 would edge out their Ovens opponents’ minus-18.
Group 2 has confirmed winners following Cloyne’s wins over Dungourney and Castlemartyr. If the other two table-toppers finish on six points, a big win over Lisgoold would be required in order to take a semi-final spot as their current scoring difference is five points.
Lisgoold are playing to stay free of relegation worries as, even if they were to win, they would lose out on third place to the losers of the Dungourney-Castlemartyr match on scoring difference.
That clash in Killeagh is a knockout tie, with extra intrigue added by the fact that the clubs band together at under-age level under the Kiltha Óg banner, meaning that opponents on Sunday will have been team-mates not so long ago. Dungourney have the benefit if it finishes level.
Aghabullogue v Ballincollig, Ballyanly; Bishopstown v Éire Óg, Blarney; Cloyne v Lisgoold, Shanagarry; Castlemartyr v Dungourney, Killeagh; Ballymartle v Valley Rovers, Ballinspittle; Carrigaline v Kilworth, Páirc Uí Rinn.
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