🟡 The Premier ‘View’ Power Rankings – Version 7 (Pre-Finals)
The latest Tipperary Hurling Power Rankings ahead of the county finals. Who leads the race for the Dan Breen Cup, and which Intermediate and Premier Intermediate clubs are on the rise in 2025?
As the weeks roll by, the number of teams still standing in the Tipperary Hurling Championships continues to shrink. Some bow out quietly, others rise to new heights. It’s never easy work for The Premier ‘View’ “experts”, who’ve once again put their heads together to deliver another edition of the Tipperary Hurling Power Rankings. Not for the faint-hearted, that’s for sure.
🔵 Senior Hurling Championship – The Race for Dan Breen
The Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship has lived up to all expectations.
Loughmore-Castleiney, favourites from day one, have powered their way to yet another county final. Their opponents? None other than Nenagh Éire Óg, who’ve quietly built momentum throughout the campaign.
Back in June, not many would have tipped Nenagh to be here, but aside from a small round-robin blip against Cashel, they’ve improved steadily.
They may boast star names across the field, but consistency will remain the key question. At the other end, the trapdoor opened for Lorrha-Dorrha after two seasons back in Dan Breen territory.
The battle for the Dan Breen Cup has once again delivered intrigue, skill, and drama, with two heavyweight clubs ready to fight it out in Semple Stadium.
⚫ Premier Intermediate Championship – Swan Song or Redemption?
Few surprises here. Carrick Swan return to the decider after their disappointment in last year’s final, while Upperchurch-Drombane will feel they have unfinished business after falling in extra time in the 2024 semi-final. Both were among the early favourites, and it’s no shock to see them still standing.
Interestingly, Carrick Swan are the only unbeaten side left across the top three grades at divisional or county level.
At the other end, Clonakenny fell to Burgess in the relegation decider and will play Intermediate Hurling in 2026, mindful of what happened to Newport not long ago.
The Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship has been fiercely competitive, showing the incredible depth that exists below Dan Breen level in Tipperary hurling.
🟢 Intermediate Championship – The West is Awake
It’s an all-West Tipperary final this year. Borrisokane failed to back up their quarter-final promise against Knockavilla Kickhams, while Golden/Kilfeacle came through a frantic battle with Cappawhite in Cashel.
Meanwhile, Drom-Inch have returned to Junior A after an incredible pair of extra-time thrillers against Ballybacon-Grange. The South men live to fight another year.
The Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship continues to produce brilliant local rivalries and drama at every turn. For clubs like Golden and Knockavilla, the dream of climbing into Premier Intermediate status adds that extra layer of motivation.
🟡 Senior Power Rankings – Dan Breen Contenders
1️⃣6️⃣ Lorrha-Dorrha – Defensive issues cost them dearly in 2025. Lost by four to Mullinahone in the relegation final. With Bonner another year older, they’ll need fresh inspiration at Premier Intermediate.
1️⃣5️⃣ Mullinahone – Survived again, but only just. A more complete performance in the relegation final helps, but improvement is needed in 2026. A Carrick Swan victory in the Premier Intermediate Final might sharpen minds locally.
1️⃣4️⃣ Roscrea
1️⃣3️⃣ Clonoulty-Rossmore
1️⃣2️⃣ Borris-Ileigh
1️⃣1️⃣ Thurles Sarsfields
1️⃣0️⃣ Kiladangan
9️⃣ JK Brackens
8️⃣ Cashel King Cormacs
7️⃣ Kilruane MacDonaghs
6️⃣ Moycarkey-Borris
5️⃣ Toomevara
4️⃣ Drom-Inch – Below par in the semi-final, but 2025 was a real step forward. The Campions and Cormac Fitzpatrick have brought balance and belief back. Expect them to push hard again in 2026.
3️⃣ Holycross-Ballycahill – Ten starters aged 22 or under tells its own story. Huge potential and already competing at the top table. Underage success is feeding through nicely.
2️⃣ Nenagh Éire Óg – Commanding semi-final win, even without Mikey Heffernan. Sam O’Farrell leads by example, Barry Heffernan anchors the defence, and Jake’s influence grows with every game.
1️⃣ Loughmore-Castleiney – Perennial no.1. They just keep going. A football semi-final loss might even light the fire further. Hard to see them beaten because, well, Loughmore rarely are.
⚫ Premier Intermediate Power Rankings
1️⃣6️⃣ Clonakenny – Burgess were simply too strong. Cian O’Dwyer remains their main man, and they’ll need to regroup quickly.
1️⃣5️⃣ Burgess – A disappointing campaign after a solid 2024. Unearthed a gem in Nealon, but the Stephens weren’t as influential this time around.
1️⃣4️⃣ Moyne-Templetuohy – Time to either kick on or rebuild. Have held their place since 2021 but haven’t truly pushed forward.
1️⃣3️⃣ Templederry Kenyons – Learned the hard way that bouncing straight back isn’t easy. Strong up front, but leaky at the back. The next managerial appointment will be crucial.
1️⃣2️⃣ Sean Treacys
1️⃣1️⃣ St Mary’s Clonmel
1️⃣0️⃣ Thurles Sarsfields ‘B’
9️⃣ Éire Óg Annacarty
8️⃣ Killenaule
7️⃣ Silvermines
6️⃣ Moneygall
5️⃣ Ballina
4️⃣ Boherlahan-Dualla – Semi-finalists this year, showing steady progress. Never looked like winning this semi-final, but youth and talent are on their side. The Ryans are seriously talented.
3️⃣ Gortnahoe-Glengoole – Another semi-final exit by the narrowest margin. 2026 feels like a defining year.
2️⃣ Upperchurch-Drombane – Phelan’s form has been outstanding. Back in a final just two years after relegation and with nothing to lose. Have the class to go all the way.
1️⃣ Carrick Swan – Did what was needed in the semi and remain unbeaten all year. Eric O’Halloran should return and Stefan Tobin continues to impress. Back-to-back final appearances show consistency, but this one matters most. Our pick to go up.
🟢 Intermediate Power Rankings
1️⃣6️⃣ Drom-Inch – Fought bravely through marathon extra-time clashes, but fell short. With the players available next year, they’ll aim for a quick return.
1️⃣5️⃣ Ballybacon-Grange – The great survivors. Somehow, they always find a way. 2026 brings a father-and-son pairing with Paul Cummins joining the ranks.
1️⃣4️⃣ Newport
1️⃣3️⃣ Skeheenarinky
1️⃣2️⃣ Portroe
1️⃣1️⃣ Carrick Davin
1️⃣0️⃣ Clonoulty-Rossmore
9️⃣ Shannon Rovers
8️⃣ Moyle Rovers
7️⃣ Arravale Rovers
6️⃣ Ballingarry
5️⃣ Kilsheelan-Kilcash
4️⃣ Borrisokane – Ran out of time in their semi-final after being dead and buried after 45 minutes. A fine year overall, still loaded with dangerous forwards like the Larkins and Ryans.
3️⃣ Cappawhite – Second semi-final defeat in succession. Dara McCarthy’s goal hinted at a comeback, but Golden finished stronger. Pressure will mount in 2026.
2️⃣ Knockavilla Kickhams – From near misses to serious contenders. A form team this year, with Adam Daly the Rolls Royce in their engine. Breen went off injured in the semi-final — it’s vital he returns. A county title would be richly deserved following previous year setbacks off the field. Nobody would begrudge them that.
1️⃣ Golden/Kilfeacle – The favourites all season and fully justified that tag. Got West Final revenge in Cashel and finished the job against Cappawhite. Seanie Halloran, Ben Currivan and Sam Hall have all stepped up, but it’s still Leamy who leads the way.
💭 Final Thoughts
Three fascinating Tipperary County Finals await, and with promotion, pride, and history on the line, there’s no margin for error. Loughmore, Carrick, and Golden/Kilfeacle might lead the charts, but if 2025 has taught us anything, it’s that nothing is ever certain in Tipperary hurling.
The road to the Dan Breen Cup, the Premier Intermediate title, and the Intermediate crown has been thrilling — and it’s far from over yet.