Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship
Preliminary Quarter Finals
Toomevara vs JK Brackens
Saturday, 20th September – 4pm, Borris-Ileigh
Referee: John McCormack
Toomevara emerged from Group 1 after turning their campaign around following a Round 1 defeat to Holycross/Ballycahill (ranked #2 in our Power Rankings). Since then, they’ve claimed crucial victories over Kiladangan and Kilruane, securing second place in the group.
Darragh McCarthy has been their standout performer, hitting an impressive 2-36 (0-33 frees) across the three group games. Defensively, Toomevara have also been among the most disciplined units in the championship, conceding an average of just 21 points per match while returning 28 points at the other end.
JK Brackens, meanwhile, come into this tie on the back of mixed form. They are priced around 3/1 locally to cause an upset, but as Mid champions, they can’t be written off. Defeats to Loughmore-Castleiney and Drom & Inch have checked their momentum, though Jamie and Andy Ormond, along with top scorer Shane Doyle (2-23, including 1-21 frees), remain their key attacking outlets. Defence, however, is a concern: 7-68 conceded in three games is the second-worst record in the championship.
With wet conditions forecast, this may not turn into the free-flowing shootout both sides are accustomed to. Heavy ground could play into JK Brackens’ footballing instincts, favouring a more possession-based approach. However, Toomevara traditionally grow stronger at this stage of the year, with their physical backs thriving on slower ball.
PV Towers Prediction: Toomevara by 4+ points
Clonoulty-Rossmore vs Drom & Inch
Sunday, 21st September – 3.30pm, Boherlahan
Referee: Peter Carroll
Clonoulty-Rossmore, despite being crowned West champions, endured a difficult group campaign, finishing bottom. Their only win came in Round 3 against a rotated Holycross side but momentum is momentum, and they’ll look to build on it here. Clonoulty’s scoring has been well spread, with 13 different players contributing so far. Leading the charge is Stephen Forecombe, who has posted 3-26 (2-23 frees).
Drom & Inch, on the other hand, have been one of the surprise packages of the season. After a narrow Round 1 loss to Loughmore Castleiney, they bounced back with wins over JK Brackens and Lorrha to secure second place in their group. The Campion brothers; Podge, John, and Lorcan have been central to their progress, while the evergreen Séamus Callanan, an All-Ireland winning captain, continues to provide both leadership and scoring power with 2-20 to his name.
With confidence growing in The Ragg, Drom will fancy their chances of moving into the quarter-final draw.
PV Towers Prediction: Clonoulty by 1 point
Kiladangan vs Kilruane MacDonaghs
Sunday, 21st September – 3.30pm, Nenagh
Referee: Kevin Jordan
Kiladangan progressed thanks to their divisional route as North champions, but their recent form raises questions. Their Round 3 showing against Toomevara, registering just 1-13, was well below their usual standards. Despite their reputation as one of the county’s most potent attacking sides, they currently rank as the third-lowest scorers after the group stage. To advance further, they’ll need to rediscover their early-season sharpness.
Kilruane, meanwhile, have gone about their business steadily in a relatively drama-free group campaign. Injury concerns linger over Jerry Cahill and Craig Morgan, but both will surely be pushing hard to feature in such an important clash. Their ability to disrupt Kiladangan’s rhythm could be crucial.
PV Towers Prediction: Kiladangan by 3+ points
Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Preliminary Quarter Finals
Ballina vs Thurles Sarsfields
Saturday, 20th September – 4pm, Templederry
Referee: Micheal Kennedy
Thurles Sarsfields’ second team progressed in second place on score difference, with just one win enough to see them through the group stages. Their campaign has been characterised by variety in scoring, 12 different players have contributed with Jack Lanigan the standout (2-25). Former All-Ireland winner Cillian Minogue has also impressed with 1-6 from play, proving a real handful in the full forward line.
Ballina, meanwhile, qualified as North champions after finishing third in their group. Their campaign could have been even stronger, with a draw against Moneygall and a narrow defeat to Upperchurch denying them a higher finish. Michael Breen brings invaluable experience and versatility, while Matthew Power and Charlie King have combined for 3-25 to date.
Sarsfields will find this a stern test, with Ballina looking in good form and eyeing further progress.
PV Towers Prediction: Ballina by 3+ points
Éire Óg Annacarty vs Moneygall
Sunday, 21st September – 3.30pm, Drombane
Referee: Shane O’Neil
Moneygall have adapted impressively to the Premier Intermediate grade, finishing second in Group 3 after drawing with Ballina. With forwards like Eoghan Doughan, Adam Hogan, and Sean Kenneally in strong form, they are a dangerous attacking unit.
Éire Óg Annacarty began their campaign brightly with a big Round 1 win over Templederry, keeping them clear of relegation danger. Losses to Boherlahan and Silvermines followed, but as West champions, they always had the divisional back door to rely on. Dinny Crosse, Darragh Kelly, and Aidan Griffin provide their main scoring threats.
This fixture was initially expected to be broadcast by Clubber, though Drombane’s coverage limitations may make updates scarce.
PV Towers Prediction: Moneygall by 1 point
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Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Relegation Semi-Finals
Clonakenny vs Moyne-Templetuohy
Sunday, 21st September – 1.30pm, Templemore
Referee: John Dooley
An All-Mid derby with plenty at stake. Moyne-Templetuohy will feel unfortunate to be here after finishing level on points with two other teams in their group, losing out only on score difference. With county stars Gearóid O’Connor and Conor Bowe in their ranks, they’ll look to lead from the front in this battle for survival.
Clonakenny, by contrast, have struggled badly in their group games and need a big response. Forwards Cian O’Dwyer, MJ Carroll, and Bobby Bergin must deliver if they are to keep their Premier Intermediate status intact.
PV Towers Prediction: Moyne-Templetuohy by 5+ points
Templederry vs Burgess
Sunday, 21st September – 1.30pm, Nenagh
Referee: Conor Doyle
Few would have expected Templederry to find themselves in this position at the business end of the season, but costly defeats to Silvermines and Éire Óg Annacarty have left them in relegation trouble. Still, they carry a serious attacking threat, with Seán Ryan already with four goals to his name the standout danger man, ably supported by Enna Murray.
Burgess, on the other hand, endured a disastrous group campaign, losing both games and struggling with injuries throughout. They’ll need to summon every ounce of resilience on Sunday if they are to dig themselves out of trouble and ensure a return to the Premier Intermediate draw next year.
PV Towers Prediction: Templederry by 3+ points
Shannon Rovers vs Arravale Rovers — Preliminary Quarter-Final, County Intermediate Championship.
Throw-in: 13:30 on Sunday 21 September.
Holycross.
Recent head-to-head (last five years): Shannon Rovers 0-21 v Arravale 1-18 (12/09/2021), Shannon Rovers 1-19 v Arravale Rovers 3-16 (04/09/2022), Shannon Rovers 0-23 v Arravale Rovers 0-21 (28/07/2024) — the most recent county meeting, a two-point game at Newport.
Shannon Rovers are North champions, physical in midfield and sharing scoring across the forwards (Conal Moran, Austin Tierney among scorers). Arravale Rovers: have been prolific through one man in particular — Orrin Jones has been “lighting up” the Tipp scoring charts with big tallies in recent rounds. Shannon Rovers like to work the ball through the middle, using their Tierney brothers and midfield battlers to win ball and feed the inside line. Arravale will look to kick long to their running forwards and get quick, high-percentage scores from Jones and company. Expect a fast transition game.
Players to watch — Shannon Rovers: Conal Moran (scoring threat from play), Matt Tierney (captain, defensive leader) and Austin Tierney (deadly from close range).
Players to watch — Arravale Rovers: Orrin Jones (in red-hot scoring form — 1-42 in three games cited by local coverage), plus their influential midfield workrate.
Key battle — midfield: whoever controls the middle at Lacken Park will feed their forwards; Shannon’s physicality vs Arravale’s scoring runners is the deciding duel.
Set pieces and placed balls could swing it — both teams have reliable frees but Arravale’s recent purple patch in open play gives them an edge if Orrin Jones keeps firing.
PV Towers Prediction – don’t be surprised if the tie needs extra time, forward fireworks likely, midfield will decide it — Lacken Park promises a close, entertaining preliminary quarter-final