Premier Intermediate Power Rankings
It all starts Tomorrow Night in Littleton and Dolla at 7:30,in What promises to be a blockbuster of a 2024 Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship, Here’s the First Edition of the Premierview Podcast Premier Intermediate Power Rankings.
Click HERE for our 2024 Intermediate Power Rankings, First Edition
16. Newport
Fortunate to bump into a depleted Portroe side in the relegation decider last year, a limp North Championship exit does not bode too well for their fortune. They’ll surely target the Boherlahan game to allay any relegation fears for 2024, but will be a tough task with some key panel members out again for the year.
15. Moyne Templetuohy
A team that is perhaps less than the sum of its parts?. Moyne Templetuohy have failed to kick on since a long-awaited promotion from the intermediate ranks and the absence of State side Gearoid O’Connor, early doors in the 2024 Premier Intermediate Championship might leave them really vulnerable here in what is a tough group. Overall hard to rate their chances but they will need big performances from their big name players.
14. Ballina
Perhaps unlucky to be rated this low, they face into a ‘Mines match first time out which is a must win for both sides, given a flying Swan and fancied Upperchurch Drombane make up this group. With the Kelly’s on form, Ballina might fancy their chances of causing an upset or two, but that first round result will ultimately tell whether they are looking up or down our rankings for the rest of the season.
13. Sean Treacys
A bad beating from Cashel abruptly ended positive early season vibes after their win vs Eire Og, they’ll need to tap into that form for their first round match up with St Mary’s. Treacy’s have been competitive at this grade in recent years but sometimes lack the panel depth to see games through, something they’ll need to address if they are to fight it out for 2nd place in this group behind likely winners Killenaule. They can never be written off, but they will have some work to do in this campaign.
12. Boherlahan
A lofty enough initial placing for the 2023 Intermediate champions, but Boherlahan will look to establish themselves at this grade in coming years. Their group performances will give a good indication of their level for the year, with at least two winnable games giving them a chance. However, with the exception of Lorrha from last year, newly promoted sides have sometimes found it difficult to progress at this tricky grade. They won’t want to drop down again and their goal will be to consolidate themselves in the grade and build.
11. St Marys
May justifiably claim to warrant a higher position in the ranking given they have made the knockout stages in the last 3 years – their prospects, however, have taken a blow to the long-term injury of totemic Seamus Kennedy as well as the highly rated James Morris. Will now have all eyes set on their Round One game with Sean Treacys after a limp South championship exit against Killenaule, a team who they also meet again in the group stages.
10. Silvermines
Jason Forde was in scintillating form as the Mines came up so narrowly short against Burgess in a tense North final. Forde on form is a potent weapon in any team but if teams can keep him quiet,The ‘Mines will need many of their coming younger players to step up. That first round game v their North neighbours, Ballina looks a big key clash for both sides.
9. Clonakenny
A team well capable of causing a surprise or two, they had eventual winners Lorrha in all sorts of trouble last year in their quarter final loss. They will fancy their chances of overcoming Boherlahan and Newport to secure a preliminary quarter final spot at the very least. May just lack that star turn to go deep into the competition but if they got onto a good run, who knows?
8. Burgess
A controversial placing given they have just picked up North honours? It shows the competitiveness of this championship, that a case could be made for moving most sides up or down numerous places. Burgess finished their North Final, much the stronger versus the Silvermines and will look to top scorer Stephen Murray once again to lead the line. An invaluable preliminary quarter final already in the bag, Burgess could be a dark horse for a place in the decider.
7. Thurles Sarsfields B
Last year’s beaten finalists will not be found wanting in any close contest and certainly know where the finish line is, being able to grind out games like you’d expect from a side featuring several seasoned veterans as well as some top up and coming talent. Could well go higher in these rankings as the championship progresses, but for now we must keep them mid-rank with one eye on the attrition rate for their Dan Breen team. With key players from the top team away, the squeeze has come on this side for bodies and the challenge will be great for them.
6. Eire Og Anacarty
A Team that looked on the ropes after a Round One defeat to Sean Treacys in the West Championship, a change of management has resulted in a change of fortunes so far for the West Men. Darragh Kelly lit up that West Final, ably backed up by some old stagers, and they won’t have to wait long for another shot at their west neighbours, in what will be their third time meeting this year. Their game vs Gortnahoe could have a big say in who progresses in this group, but Anacarty have Moyne in Cashel on the 26th to contend with first. They have made themselves a difficult team to beat and that’s a great trait to have.
5. Gortnahoe/Glengoole
Have established themselves as solid contenders since their promotion from intermediate. Narrowly beaten by Roscrea in the 2022 Premier Intermediate Final,they bowed out at the Quarter Final stage last year and will be hoping they leave the form of their divisional loss to Boherlahan this year, well behind them. Have possibly landed themselves in the toughest group, they face a round one rematch with their conquerors from last year, Cashel King Cormacs.
4. Killenaule
Churchill once said of Russia that it was a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, but he could have equally been referring to Killenaule. On paper a team that could go toe to toe with most Dan Breen sides, they have shown flashes in recent years but yearn for some consistency to make them go at least one better than last year’s semi final. One of the kinder group draws gives them a good opportunity of topping it and with it, a guaranteed Quarter Final place. They need to find a level of consistency in their play but if they can get on a run, they could be set for a decent campaign.
3. Carrick Swan
A hard fought one point win over Dan Breen side, Mullinahone and a scintillating first half domination of Killenaule saw the Carrick side regain the South Senior Championship and with it a guaranteed preliminary quarter final, a welcome boost for a developing team that will now target more progression in the county series. That first round game vs Upperchurch in Littleton, Friday the 26th, promises to be a cracker. The Swan has nothing to lose and they will give it a mighty crack.
2.Cashel King Cormac’s
Perhaps the likeliest challengers to Upperchurch Dromabe this year? Oisin O’Donoghue adds to their offensive options and have added a West crown already this year having gone very deep into the well to win in extra time. Surprisingly lost to a rejuvenated Eire Og in the round robin of that Championship and then needed extra time to overcome them in the final, but they still got there. Losing Ger Browne is a big blow but they have depth and they will require it all, if they are to prevail.
1.Upperchurch Drombane
A team that has been more used to challenging for Dan Breen in recent years will have their sights fully set on a quick return to the top tier for 2025. So far they’ve done everything right, County League Champions and also after securing Mid Divisional honours with a comfortable win over last year’s Seamus O’Riain finalists,Thurles Sars. They could set too high a standard for other teams to overcome this year and Manager Liam Dunphy will be hoping to keep the fine form going.
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