PREVIEW: Open Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship to be tightly contested

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship - Round 2

Group 1

Silvermines V Ballina

Burgess were the conquerors of both these teams in the North Championship and they were both equally close to coming out on top in those defeats.

Silvermines in particular were in a winning position against Burgess in the North Final, and they will be sick they let their lead slip after doing as much of the hurling as their opponents.

Jason Forde continues to be the main score getter but Conor McKelvey has managed to take some of the burden off him, while the injection of youth in the form of Luke O’Brien, Conor Murphy, Danny Quinn, and Darragh Treacy has been a visible boost to them this year.

Ballina were the better team for three-quarters of their loss to Burgess and they have plenty of ability in their ranks too.
A fit and healthy Steven O’Brien looks to be in good form while David Kelly looks to have gone to another level after his involvement with the Tipperary senior squad this year.

Jack Collins has matured ahead of time too and they will be hoping that Eoghan Power is available from the off here after coming on a sub in the Burgess loss.

Verdict: Silvermines

Upperchurch Drombane V Carrick Swans

Upperchurch Drombane are strong favourites for an immediate return to the senior ranks this year, but they will face a stern challenge from recently crowned south champions Carrick Swans in round one.

The Church have underperformed somewhat in their Mid title winning campaign, but they seem to be coming to the boil nicely now, with Paudie Greene returning to a team which is at full strength heading into county action.

Paddy Phelan has stepped up so far this term, and with Gavin Ryan impressive at the back, they have a focal point in both attack and defense to utilise.

Swan impressed in their final win over Killenaule two weekends ago, easily dispatching their rivals with plenty to spare by game’s end, with Callum Lanigan and Tipperary U20 star Aaron O’Halloran doing the bulk of the damage.

They have added a bit of depth to the squad and are beginning to hurl with confidence with Scott Hogan and Gavin O’Halloran commanding at the back. This will be closer than many would think.

Verdict: Upperchurch Drombane

Group 2

Cashel King Cormacs V Gortnahoe Glengoole

A marathon West Final victory will be a big boost to Cashel King Cormacs who face a tough task against Gortnahoe Glengoole here.

Cashel are amassing a really impressive team at the moment and despite a stern test against Éire Óg, they will have huge confidence that they can challenge for county honours.

On paper they have a quality line up in the Connolly’s, Oisin O’Donoghue, Devon Ryan, and Cathal Quinn to name but a few but they will be without Ger Browne for the rest of the campaign after the former Tipperary hurler underwent surgery on a broken elbow recently.

However, in Gortnahoe Glengoole they will face a team with big experience at this level and quality to match, and they have had an extended break after losing out to Boherlahan Dualla in the Mid Championship.

They were without Damien Corbett and Kevin Slattery from the off on that occasion and will be hoping to have them back .

Verdict: Cashel KC

Éire Óg Annacarty V Moyne Templetuohy

Éire Óg have certainly found their feet after a poor loss to Sean Treacys in the West round robin. They came so close to a West title after two brilliant games with Cashel, and even though the loss will sting, it will surely give them confidence for this game.

Darragh Kelly has been shooting the lights out for them, having hit a huge score of 1-13 in the West Final, while experienced heads in Donal O’Dwyer, Conor O’Brien and Seanie Ryan look in good form.

Moyne will once again look to Conor Bowe and Gearoid O’Connor for leadership and a performance, and they will need to put in big performances here to get a result against a team in form.

Verdict: Éire Óg Annacarty

Group 3

Newport V Thurles Sarsfields

Newport have been hit with several blows this year in terms of personnel, with Conor O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien and Pa Ryan all unavailable.

As a result, they are lacking a big scoring threat with Colin Floyd bearing a big burden as their main man going into this year’s championship.

Sarsfields - as usual - have had a turnover of players going up to their senior team with Jack Lanigan graduating up after a terrific campaign last year for the second team.

Still, they have plenty of promising youth in Tommy Maher and Keith Loughnane while the likes of Tommy Doyle, Harry Fitzgibbon, Conor Lanigan, Mikey O’Brien and Rory Purcell have plenty of experience to throw into the mix.

Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields

Clonakenny V Boherlahan Dualla

These two teams avoided each other in the divisional action but had good games in their respective campaigns.

Clonakenny will have gained huge confidence in their loss to Upperchurch, putting the county favourites against the ropes in the game and were unlucky to lose out in the final ten minutes.

Matthew O’Sullivan has been in good form for them, while they have plenty of quality around the pitch to cause problems.
Boherlahan Dualla had a fine win against Gortnahoe in the Mid Championship, but will be disappointed to leave it so late to get into the game in which they came up short against Thurles Sarsfields.

They are still without Brian Óg O’Dwyer through injury.

Verdict: Clonakenny

Group 4

Killenaule V Burgess

Killenaule were beaten in the South Final at a whimper and will be desperate to make up for that performance here.
Granted, they started the game without John and Killian O’Dwyer and with a few weeks to prepare, they should be back fresher and in the frame for this one.

Burgess have learned how to win a battle after their success in the North Championship, and with Stephen Kirwan and Stephen Murray in fine form, they look to be that bit more battle hardened.

Verdict: Burgess

St. Marys V Sean Treacys

An important game for both outfits given the tough group they find themselves in. St. Marys have been handed some awful injury woes with Seamus Kennedy and James Morris out for the year with knee injuries and it contributed to a poor South campaign. They will be hoping to welcome back Ross Peters and Tadgh Sheehan to do the fold though, along with Ruairi Leahy who is returning to fitness.

Sean Treacys have had injury concerns of their own after an elongated West Championship seen them lose out narrowly on a final place.

Patrick Deegan is carrying a heel injury, while Seanie Ryan Rodgers is out with a broken thumb. Sean Hickey, Christy Egan and Tom Hickey are also out for the first round. Regardless, this will be a battle that both teams will feel they need to win.

Verdict: Sean Treacys