The 2023 Tipperary Intermediate Championship, All You ever need to know.
Another stellar year in the Intermediate grade saw Boherlahan/Dualla continue their rise through
the ranks, having been relegated to Junior A towards the backend of the last decade the Mid Club
won their second County title to move into the 2nd tier of Tipperary Hurling.
They didn’t have it all their own way en route however and needed extra-time to win their semi-final with Moneygall while also drawing with the same opposition in the group stages. An opening County championship one point win over Kilsheelan was also a belter.
We will start our review of the year in the divisions where North giants Moneygall again reigned
supreme. They had a relatively easy win over Borrisokane in the North decider, 3-15 to 0-11, where
Sean Keneally was the star man helping himself to 2-03 from play. In the mid Boherlahan/Dualla
retained their mid crown with a five point win over neighbours Drom/Inch, 1-13 to 0-11, The all
important goal scored by Mark Downey on fifteen minutes.
Back West, Cappawhite showed their intentions early and regained the title by virtue of six point win over surprise opponents Arravale Rovers 4-16 to 2-16. Dara McCarthy on fire in this one scoring 3-08 with 3-04 from play.
Finally in the South Kilsheelan/Kilcash negotiated a tricky campaign to win their title with seven points to spare, 1-16 to 0-12 over Carrick Davins. Jamie Roche got the all important green flag with Barry Kehoe picking up Man of the match honours. Big shout out to our own Stephen Cronin who was immense between the sticks for the Carrick side. With the County draw done in advance the divisions were important for all teams especially the Group 3 clubs with three of them pilfering divisional honours to secure a county knockout game.
In the County groups stages, Group 3 was by far the pick of them with the winner of the competition
tipped by many to come from a trio of Boherlahan, Kilsheelan & 2022 runner up Moneygall. Group 1
turned out to be very competitive with South runner-up Carrick Davins having a huge opening day
win over West Runner-up Arravale while Drom & Kickhams played out a draw.Arravale then got
back on the horse in round 2 and once again accounted for West rivals Kickhams while Drom again
drew with Davins. It was all to play for on the final day with all four teams in with a chance of
qualifying. Drom & Kickhams ran out easy winners over Arravale & Davins respectively to qualify.
In group 2 Cappawhite repeated their West Semi-final win over Golden while Ballingarry accounted
for Kiladanagan.
Round two saw Kiladangan get the win over Golden while Cappawhite got a two point win over Ballingarry in a rip-roaring contest. Cappawhite easily accounted for Kiladangan in round 3 to top the group while Golden needed an injury time goal to save their season , knock out Ballingarry and put Kiladangan into relegation. Fine Margins eh..
The aforementioned Group 3 didn’t disappoint with Boherlahan topping the group, Moneygall 2 nd
and Kilsheelan third. Shannon Rovers performed admirably but were always up against it.
Group 4 saw Borrisokane & Skeheenarinky have opening day wins over Upperchurch/Drombane &
Ballybacon/Grange. Borrisokane followed this up with a relatively easy win over Skeheen in round
two while Ballybacon saved their own bacon with a win over Upperchurch by two. Borrisokane &
Skeheen had facile wins in round three to qualify.
Kilsheelan/Kilcash drew south rivals Skeheen in the preliminary round. Two first half goals from Mark
Kehoe set them on their way but a spirited second half comeback saw Skeheen draw level with ten
minutes to play. Kilsheelan upped their game and scored the final four points to see them home.
In the first of the Quarter finals Moneygall once again got the better of Borrisokane with a 3-15 to 2-
10 victory, next up Golden/Kilfeacle surprised everyone with a huge 3-18 to 1-11 win over Drom.
Kilsheelan easily accounted for Cappawhite in the 3 rd while Kickhams performed admirably but
Boherlahan ran out winners by five points.
The semi-finals were played on a poor day weather wise. Boherlahan needed extra time and a man
of the match performance from youngster Dylan Fogarty to see them into the final while
Golden/Kilfeacle defied all odds to reach the final.
Boherlahan/Dualla were always in control in the final and had nine points to spare at the whistle 3-
15 to 0-15. Golden will rue the two red cards received however and also their lack of scoring power
with Jack Leamy helping himself to all bar one of Goldens points.
Individually the championships threw up some stellar performances, Sean Keneally & Dara McCarthy
had days to remember in divisional finals, Jack Leamy was scorer in chief for Golden all year while
Tossy Ryan was a playmaker supreme from the half forward line for the Champions. Brothers Mark
& Barry Kehoe were excellent all year while Ballingarry’s Dylan Walsh was always a handful for any
defence he came up against. Paddy Fogarty was a goal getting delight for Moneygall.
Jack Leamy took the overall scoring honours with an impressive 1-62 to his name over the six games.
Joe Fogarty & Tossy Ryan were 2 nd & 3 rd in this category. From play Mark Kehoe’s was easily out in
front with ‘atleast’ 5-13 to his name from four games(we never got the scoring for Kilsheelan from
their opening round game v Boherlahan). Paddy Fogarty, also with five goals, was next on the list
with Borrisokanes Gary Ryan in third(2-07 of this total in a round one game).
Top Scorers Charts
INTERMEDIATE | Total | INTERMEDIATE | Total | ||
Club | Players Name | Overall | Club | Players Name | Play |
Golden/Kilfeacle | Jack Leamy | 65 | Kilsheelan/Kilcash | Mark Kehoe | 28 |
Moneygall | Joe Fogarty | 56 | Moneygall | Paddy Fogarty | 21 |
Boherlahan/Dualla | Tossy Ryan | 53 | Borrisokane | Gary Ryan | 20 |
Upperchurch/Drombane B | Pat Shortt | 49 | Upperchurch/Drombane B | Pat Shortt | 19 |
Arravale Rovers | Mikey O’Dwyer | 41 | Moneygall | Sean Keneally | 18 |
Kilsheelan/Kilcash | Barry Kehoe | 38 | Moneygall | Joe Fogarty | 17 |
Shannon Rovers | Tom Hogan | 38 | Ballingarry | Dylan Walsh | 16 |
Ballingarry | Dylan Walsh | 37 | Boherlahan/Dualla | Darragh Hickey | 16 |
Borrisokane | Oisin Larkin | 32 | Cappawhite | Conor Martin | 16 |
Kilsheelan/Kilcash | Mark Kehoe | 32 | Boherlahan/Dualla | Tossy Ryan | 15 |
Knockavilla Kickhams | Stephen Browne | 32 | Boherlahan/Dualla | Seamus Leahy | 15 |
Kiladangan B | Neil Cahalan | 30 | Cappawhite | Willie Barry | 15 |
Cappawhite | Dara McCarthy | 23 | Golden/Kilfeacle | Jack Leamy | 14 |
Kiladangan B | Ruairi Gleeson | 22 | Kiladangan B | Neil Cahalan | 14 |
Kilsheelan/Kilcash | Martin Gibbs | 22 | Knockavilla Kickhams | Ben Ryan | 14 |
Borrisokane | Gary Ryan | 21 | Shannon Rovers | Conal Moran | 14 |
Moneygall | Paddy Fogarty | 21 | Golden/Kilfeacle | Jack Bergin | 13 |
Skeheenarinky | Darragh Brennan | 21 | Kilsheelan/Kilcash | Martin Gibbs | 12 |
Drom/Inch B | David Butler | 20 | Borrisokane | Philip Austin | 11 |
Carrick Davins | Lee Mackey | 18 | Cappawhite | Dara McCarthy | 11 |
In the sharpshooter contest, Mark Kehoe & Paddy Fogarty pilfered five goals each with Pat Shortt
adding four to his impressive career tally. On the free taking from Golden’s Jack Leamy again sits
atop of the table with an impressive 1-48 from placed balls, Joe Fogarty & Tossy Ryan 2 nd & 3 rd
respectively in this category too.
Goal Getters and Freetaker’s Charts
INTERMEDIATE | Total | INTERMEDIATE | Total | ||
Club | Players Name | Goals | Club | Players Name | Frees |
Kilsheelan/Kilcash | Mark Kehoe | 5 | Golden/Kilfeacle | Jack Leamy | 51 |
Moneygall | Paddy Fogarty | 5 | Moneygall | Joe Fogarty | 39 |
Upperchurch/Drombane B | Pat Shortt | 4 | Boherlahan/Dualla | Tossy Ryan | 38 |
In the team stakes there are some interesting findings. Kilsheelan/Kilcash were the top scorers with
10-110 to their name from six games, Boherlahan/Dualla scored 11-98 from six games while
Moneygall scored 9-93 from five games. Borrisokane have the best scoring average with an
impressive 2-20 per game. This may have more to do with the lack of quality in their group however.
Moneygall, Kilsheelan, Boherlahan & Cappawhite make up the next four. Goals win games &
Championships it seems and Boherlahan/Dualla with eleven goals to their credit top this particular
chart.
Kilsheelan and despite scoring 9 goals, relegated Kiladangan make up the next two spots.
Scoring Averages | |||||
Total | Av | Total | |||
Club | Overall | Club | Game | Club | Goals |
Kilsheelan/Kilcash | 140 | Borrisokane | 26.00 | Boherlahan/Dualla | 11 |
Boherlahan/Dualla | 131 | Moneygall | 24.00 | Kilsheelan/Kilcash | 10 |
Moneygall | 120 | Kilsheelan/Kilcash | 23.33 | Kiladangan B | 9 |
Golden/Kilfeacle | 113 | Boherlahan/Dualla | 21.83 | Moneygall | 9 |
Borrisokane | 104 | Cappawhite | 21.75 | Carrick Davins | 8 |
Kiladangan B | 98 | Carrick Davins | 21.33 | Borrisokane | 7 |
Upperchurch/Drombane B | 89 | Knockavilla Kickhams | 21.25 | Golden/Kilfeacle | 7 |
Cappawhite | 87 | Drom/Inch B | 20.25 | Cappawhite | 6 |
Knockavilla Kickhams | 85 | Kiladangan B | 19.60 | Drom/Inch B | 6 |
Drom/Inch B | 81 | Shannon Rovers | 19.25 | Knockavilla Kickhams | 5 |
Shannon Rovers | 77 | Arravale Rovers | 19.00 | Shannon Rovers | 4 |
Arravale Rovers | 76 | Golden/Kilfeacle | 18.83 | Upperchurch/Drombane B | 4 |
Skeheenarinky | 72 | Ballingarry | 18.67 | Arravale Rovers | 2 |
Carrick Davins | 64 | Skeheenarinky | 18.00 | Ballingarry | 2 |
Ballingarry | 56 | Upperchurch/Drombane B | 17.80 | Skeheenarinky | 2 |
Ballybacon/Grange | 35 | Ballybacon/Grange | 11.67 | Ballybacon/Grange | 1 |
The total conceded can be skewed by how many games you play but the average conceded probably
tells a tale. The champions conceded on average 17pts a game and only conceded one goal in the
whole championship, Final opponents Golden/Kilfeacle were teak tough in defence also coming in 3 rd
conceding on average 17.5 points per game while also conceding a goal a game on average.
Borrisokane are 2 nd on the list conceding on average 17 points over their four games.
Conceeding Averages | |||||
Total | Av | Total | |||
Club | Overall | Club | Game | Club | Goals |
Ballybacon/Grange | 53 | Boherlahan/Dualla | 17.00 | Ballybacon/Grange | 1 |
Ballingarry | 57 | Borrisokane | 17.00 | Boherlahan/Dualla | 1 |
Carrick Davins | 66 | Golden/Kilfeacle | 17.50 | Ballingarry | 3 |
Borrisokane | 68 | Ballybacon/Grange | 17.67 | Borrisokane | 4 |
Skeheenarinky | 74 | Skeheenarinky | 18.50 | Cappawhite | 4 |
Knockavilla Kickhams | 76 | Ballingarry | 19.00 | Kiladangan B | 4 |
Cappawhite | 79 | Knockavilla Kickhams | 19.00 | Knockavilla Kickhams | 4 |
Drom/Inch B | 88 | Cappawhite | 19.75 | Carrick Davins | 5 |
Arravale Rovers | 93 | Moneygall | 20.80 | Arravale Rovers | 7 |
Boherlahan/Dualla | 102 | Kilsheelan/Kilcash | 21.50 | Drom/Inch B | 7 |
Moneygall | 104 | Carrick Davins | 22.00 | Golden/Kilfeacle | 7 |
Shannon Rovers | 104 | Drom/Inch B | 22.00 | Skeheenarinky | 7 |
Golden/Kilfeacle | 105 | Kiladangan B | 22.60 | Upperchurch/Drombane B | 8 |
Kiladangan B | 113 | Arravale Rovers | 23.25 | Kilsheelan/Kilcash | 9 |
Upperchurch/Drombane B | 119 | Upperchurch/Drombane B | 23.80 | Shannon Rovers | 11 |
Kilsheelan/Kilcash | 129 | Shannon Rovers | 26.00 | Moneygall | 12 |
The Premier ‘View’ Intermediate Team of the Year
1.Jack Currivan (Golden/Kilfeacle)
The Golden netminder was rock solid all year and with one of the meanest defenses in front of him
will be happy with his play. His puckouts were on point and he couldn’t be faulted for any goal
conceded. Darragh Lacey & Tadgh Lonergan are honorable mentions in this category.
2.Kieran Breen (Knockavilla Kickhams)
Artistic license being used here with Breen in the full-back line although not a position he is unfamiliar with having been stationed there a few years ago to stifle the Sean Keneally threat. Kieran had a rough 2022 with injuries but was rock solid for Kickhams all year in the 2023 Tipperary Intermediate Championship.
3.Ger O’Dwyer (Boherlahan/Dualla)
O’Dwyer was a revelation at full back for the County Champions. He had a year to remember, finally getting his transfer, winning a Harty Cup, a Mid title & a County medal and scoring the winning goal in the semi-final win over Moneygall with a long range free.
4.Eoin Murnane (Golden/Kilfeacle)
Murnane started his year out around the middle of the field but being stationed in the backs following the appointment of Conor Gleeson,Which saw his form take off. Eoin was strong in the tackle and scored two excellent points in Golden’s semi-final win over Kilsheelan.
5.Dylan Fogarty(Boherlahan/Dualla)
It’s no surprise with the inclusion of Harty winner Fogarty. He was man of the match in the Semi-final scoring three from play, scored an important point in the mid-final to stem the Drom tide but he was part of a defensive unit who stood firm time and time again.
6.Gearoid Ryan(B) (Cappawhite)
Possibly a surprise for many but anyone who saw Cappawhite play will know how important the former county minor was to them. He was a defensive unit and a playmaker in the no.6 role.
7.Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan/Kilcash)
Stokes was many a time this Year, the sweeper for the South side. Strong in the air he repelled attack after attack and stood tall in their hardest hour v Golden/ Kilfeacle.
8.Adam Hogan (Moneygall)
Hogan had to be in the team and we are using artistic license no. 2 here. Hogan anchored the Moneygall defence, he was the catalyst for the majority of their attacks. His iconic yellow helmet cropped up all over the defence and in the modern game Hogan will be dropping back as the ‘plus one’ in our team.
9.Conor Martin (Cappawhite)
All-ireland Minor winner from 2022 at centre-forward,Conor Martin took to adult hurling with no fuss. His first game at the grade yielded five from play and while he flirted as a corner forward he was most effective in the middle of the park.
10.Tossy Ryan(Boherlahan/Dualla)
The talisman for the Boherlahan attack. He scored 3-44 in the campaign and put in a man of the match performance in the County Final. A handful for any defender and We really look forward to how teams set up against him at the next level.
11.Joe Fogarty (Moneygall)
Fogarty is always the main man for Moneygall, his lively demeanour around the half forward line sees him score with regularity from frees and play. He’s a Tipp senior panelist for a reason.
12.Barry Kehoe (Kilsheelan/Kilcash)
A revelation in 2023, the younger Kehoe seemed to score at will. A man of the match performance in the South final was followed up with telling performances in all other games. Has to be on the radar of Liam Cahill.
13.Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan/Kilcash)
Mark Kehoe was a menace in all games he played. Kilsheelan will look back on his semi-final red card and wonder. Two brilliant strikes in the preliminary quarter were followed up with an excellent goal in the Quarter final win over Cappawhite. Five Goals in total and comfortably the top scorer in the 2023 Tipperary Intermediate Championship from play.
14.Dara McCarthy (Cappawhite)
The Cappawhite man did his best work in the divisional games scoring 3-13 in two games and a man of the match performance in the West Final. 1-20 in the championship lands him in the top 15 scorers but it was his link up play which got him the nod.
15.Jack Leamy (Golden/Kilfeacle)
Leamy was the reason Golden stayed in the championship and then got to the final. He carried the scoring threat on his back. Phenomenal from frees and open play. It’s easy to see why Leamy is part of Liam Cahill’s plans at the moment.
Click Here to see our 2023 Premier Intermediate Club Hurling Team of the Year.