Premier Intermediate Power Rankings, Third Edition.
16. Sean Treacys
Starting well in games but fading badly. Sean Ryan is back from a thumb injury to add some stability. A couple of players gone to Dubai but, you’d imagine they’ll be back for a relegation tilt especially should they find themselves in the dreaded Relegation Final . Didn’t really raise any sort of a gallop in the 2024 County Championship though. Paddy Carey their main scoring threat with 0-21.Averaging 0-18 over the 3 Rounds, Joint Bottom on the Club Scoring Stats and with only 9 of their players scoring so far in the Championship, also joint lowest. You’d wonder where their scores are going to come from in their Relegation Semi-Final dog fight v the ‘mines.
Down 1.
15. Newport
We found it hard to separate them from Treacy’s. They did well v Boherlahan losing out by a goal,1-16 to 0-16. Cian Flanagan (0-08 from play so far) is a scoring threat from wing back. Will probably lean on the vastly experienced Conor O’Mahony again to get them out of trouble V Moyne in their Relegation Semi-Final. Colin Floyd and Pa Ryan their 2 main scoring threats, Floyd with 1-11,Ryan with 1-13.
Up 1.
14. Moyne/Templetouhy
Looked a lot livelier in the final two games and will be p*ssed they didn’t get something from the Gortnahoe game, going down by a point, 0-21 to 0-20.10 scorers from play so far, Gearoid O’Connor, 0-36 in total 0-10 from play, seems to back on song for them.
No Change.
13. Silvermines
The only one of the bottom four with a victory, pipping a depleted Swan in Round 3,1-22 to 0-23. Re-structured their team with Jason Forde (0-27) heading back to his college position in the back line and Conor McKelvey (1-06 from Play, 0-08 off Frees) becoming the fulcrum of their attack.
No Change.
12. Killenaule
We’re sick of talking them up. 5-57 Scored in the Premier Intermediate Championship,4th best attack of the 16 teams,8th best defence and their Year is done. Great team on paper. Only won one half of hurling from 6 in the Premier Intermediate County Championship and that was the 2nd half v Treacy’s. A Long Winter Awaits.
Down 4.
11. Ballina
Their first round win over the ‘mines keeps them out of trouble. Were competitive for periods against the Swan but totally outclassed by Upperchurch. Injuries certainly curtailed their progress. 12 players contributed to their Final Tally of 3-50,Mikey Breen with 0-11,Jack Collins 0-14 and David Kelly with 2-05 from play, their standout performers.
Up 1.
10. Clonakenny
The Mid side haven’t had a good season in comparison to 2023, No Mid Premier Intermediate title and only one win over Newport in the county championship. Joint 8th in the scoring stats, Joint 6th in the defensive stats. Cian O’Dwyer had a stand out campaign though, 2-22 in Total, 2-08 from Play.
Up 1.
9. Boherlahan/Dualla
A very good first year at the level. A tough group with Clonakenny and Sars and they still qualified. Cashel may be a step too far in the Preliminary Quarter Final, but overall will be happy with the way they’ve handled themselves. In Bonus Territory from here on in, Tossy Ryan with a total of 0-22 and Mark Downey with 3-02 from play, leading the way for the 2023 Intermediate Champions.
Up 1.
8. Cashel King Cormacs
Not exactly pulling up trees, but still there due to their West Final win. An injury time goal for Gortnahoe is why they’re in this position. 13 Scorers and Devon Ryan showing his potential with a 2-20 Tally. If they come through the preliminary Quarter Final, there won’t be many queueing up to meet them. Dark Horses.
Up 1.
7. Burgess
The Stephen show seems to have come to a grinding halt ? or is it, Murray with 1-28,1-07 from Play and Kirwan also with 1-07 from Play. Those two will need to be on top form in the Quarters. Johnny Mulqueen (1-03 from play in the first 2 Rounds) still out for the next Round, though is a loss to the back line both in terms of what he brings to their defence and attack.
No Change.
6. Gortnahoe/Glengoole
Scraped over Moyne in Round 3 winning 0-21 to 0-20. They’re a scrappy side though winning 2 games by one point and losing by one point. Keane Hayes (2-28 in total,2-10 from Play) is a real Star for them. Scoring 0-22.33 per game and conceding 0-22,the narrowest gap across all 3 Championship Grades.
Down 1.
5. Carrick Swan
Yes, they were qualified but losing to Silvermines sees them drop down the rankings. Is putting out the Junior’s any worse than giving a walkover?.16 of their Players have scored from Play, the highest of all 16 Teams in the Premier Intermediate Grade. Callum Lanigan with 1-13 Aaron Dunne with 1-10 and Aaron O’Halloran with 0-08 leading the Way.
Down 4.
4. St. Marys
Another to top their Group and with a bit to spare. Burgess and Killenaule were in the conversation to win it out at the start but the Clonmel side have usurped them. Overturned a 10 point South loss to win by 5 V Killenaule in Round 3 and cement their no. 1 spot in Group 4.Best Defence in the Competition, tying opponents down to an average of 0-15 per game.3-53 scored by 12 of their players. Peter McGarry storming into form with 0-11 from play, Sean Kennedy steady on the frees 0-22 in total, 0-17 from placed balls
Up 2.
3. Thurles Sarsfields
Topped Group 3 with ease,100% Record. Pa Bourke in good form along with Keith Loughnane, 1-07 from Play and Rory Purcell, 0-10 from Play. Mickey Cahill anchoring them. Kevin Bracken a really good keeper and only a matter of time before he steps up to their Senior Squad. Top Scorers in this grade with 2-70.Last Years Beaten Finalists clicking through the gears.
Up 1.
2. Eire Óg Annacarty
The West side topped their group and in doing so sent Cashel to the preliminary’s . Can they keep this form up? They will, if they stop leaking goals, 6-51 Conceded so far, 5th Worst Defence. 2-68 scored at the other end,13 different scorers, Darragh Kelly with 1-08 from play catching the eye.
Up 1.
1. Upperchurch/Drombane
The Mid side return to the no. 1 spot. They dismantled Ballina in Round 3,4-19 to 0-15 . They are the bookies favourites. They will be disappointed, not to emerge as Group Winners from Group 1 with Carrick Swan pipping them to the top spot, Could a more fraught route to a Final now be their lot ?.Pat Ryan with 3-04 from Play in very dangerous form.
Up 1.